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Initialize-Disk

Initializes a RAW disk for first time use, enabling the disk to be formatted and used to store data.

Windows Server · Risk: Critical · Documentation Verified

Last verified: 2026-10-26

Microsoft Storage reference: Initializes a RAW disk for first time use, enabling the disk to be formatted and used to store data. The syntax and selected example below are adapted from the pinned Windows Server 2025 reference. Module availability, target configuration and delegated permissions determine whether it can run in your environment. Documentation and parameter text: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; formatting adapted by Cmdlet World. No execution testing is claimed.

Initialize-Disk [-Number] <UInt32[]> [-PartitionStyle <PartitionStyle>] [-CimSession <CimSession[]>]
 [-ThrottleLimit <Int32>] [-AsJob] [-PassThru] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

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Required permissions

Use an account with the target resource permissions documented for Initialize-Disk. Modifying administrative cmdlets may require elevation or delegated administration. This catalog does not assert that ordinary users can execute the command.

Supported environments

Windows / Storage · Windows Server 2025 documentation; feature/module prerequisites apply

Parameters

-AsJob: Runs the cmdlet as a background job. Use this parameter to run commands that take a long time to complete.
-CimSession: Runs the cmdlet in a remote session or on a remote computer. Enter a computer name or a session object, such as the output of a New-CimSession or Get-CimSession cmdlet. The default is the current session on the local computer.
-Confirm: Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.
-FriendlyName: Specifies the friendly name of the disk to initialize.
-InputObject (required): Specifies the input object that is used in a pipeline command.
-Number (required): Specifies the disk number of the disk to initialize.
-PartitionStyle: Specifies the type of the partition. The acceptable values for this parameter are: MBR or GPT. The disk must be set to read-write (IsReadOnly $false ) before this cmdlet will work.
-PassThru: Sends items from the interactive window down the pipeline as input to other cmdlets. By default, this cmdlet does not generate any output. To send items from the interactive window down the pipeline, click to select the items and then click OK. Shift-click and Ctrl-click are supported.
-Path (required): Specifies the path of the disk to initialize.
-ThrottleLimit: Specifies the maximum number of concurrent operations that can be established to run the cmdlet. If this parameter is omitted or a value of 0 is entered, then Windows PowerShell® calculates an optimum throttle limit for the cmdlet based on the number of CIM cmdlets that are running on the computer. The throttle limit applies only to the current cmdlet, not to the session or to the computer.
-UniqueId (required): Specifies the UniqueID of the disk to initialize
-VirtualDisk: Specifies the VirtualDisk object for which you want to initialize the associated Disk object. The Virtual Disk CIM object is exposed by the Get-VirtualDisk cmdlet.
-WhatIf: Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.

Prerequisites

Windows with the Storage module and the Windows feature or management tools that provide it. Confirm target connectivity and version compatibility using the linked Microsoft reference.

Security considerations

This cmdlet changes system state. Review every target and parameter in the official reference, test outside production, and prepare an appropriate backup or rollback. Do not execute the example automatically.

Examples

Example 1: Initialize a disk using default values

Initialize-Disk -Number 1

This example initializes the first disk in the computer (disk number 1), using the default values, which initializes the disk using the GPT partition style. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.

Sources

https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-powershell-docs/blob/b7645dd8c687139b28e845119da30ec670526507/docset/winserver2025-ps/Storage/Initialize-Disk.md

https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/storage/initialize-disk?view=windowsserver2025-ps

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