Choose **Applications** ▸ **Utilities** ▸ **Disks** to open the *Disks* utility.

<h2 id="formatting">Formatting the device</h2>

<div class="caution">
<p>Overwriting existing data does not erase all data on flash
memories, such as USB sticks and SSDs (Solid-State Drives).</p>

<p>See the [[limitations of file deletion|doc/encryption_and_privacy/secure_deletion#spare]].</p>

Click **Format**.

1. Configure the various settings of your new partition in the
partition creation assistant:

In the example below, we are creating a partition of 4.0 GB on a device of 8.1 GB.

**Volume Name**

**Erase**

You can choose to overwrite existing data on the partition.

<p>Overwriting existing data does not erase all data on flash
memories, such as USB sticks and SSDs (Solid-State Drives).</p>

**Type**

<p>We recommend choosing a long passphrase made of 5 to 7 random words.
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/03/26/passphrases-can-memorize-attackers-cant-guess/">Learn
about the maths behind memorizable and secure passphrases.</a></p>

<div class="caution">
<p>It is impossible to recover your passphrase if you forget it!</p>

<p>To help you remember your passphrase, you can write it on a piece of
paper, store it in your wallet for a few days, and destroy it once
you know it well.</p>
</div>

A dialog appears, asking for the passphrase to unlock the partition.

[[!img unlock.png link="no" class="screenshot" alt="Authentication Required"]]

If you turn on the option **Remember Password**, Tails remembers the
passphrase of this partition only until you shut down. The passphrase is not
stored in your Persistent Storage.

After unlocking, you can access the content of the partition from either:

The **Places** menu