Ever wondered how to format those floppy disks for use with your computer? Here's how!

[edit] Steps

Go to My Computer (Start->My Computer). If you have the classic start menu, then it's on the desktop.
Right click the floppy icon (usually A: or B:) and click Format. You will see the Format Dialogue box
Decide on all of the options:
- Capacity: choose how much it can store, best as it is
- File system: the file system FAT or NTFS, NTFS is not compatible with 3.1/95/88/ME/2000, so leave as FAT
- Allocation Unit Size: leave as default
- Volume Label: you can leave blank or choose a label
- Quick Format: faster, to securely delete all data don't check
- Create an MS-DOS startup disk: if you want to create a startup disk
Click Start when you are finished. A warning box will pop up, read it then click OK.
Watch the progress bar and the result of the format. If you didn't select Quick Format, this could take a while.
Click Close when it is finished. Your disk is now formatted and can now be used to store your files.

[edit] Tips

There are other programs that allow you to format it as a 1.5MB disk instead of 1.44MB
Most floppies actually have 1.38 mb instead of 1.44 mb. Be aware of this.
To format another disk, insert a new disk and click Start again. Remember to be patient! Don't remove or insert the disk when the floppy drive is active (drive light is on) to avoid damaging the disk and/or drive.