Which process is basic and involves setting up a new file system on a storage device?

The process of formatting a storage device is essential as it prepares the device for data storage by setting up a file system. This entails establishing the necessary structures for organizing and managing files, such as creating a master file table and defining how data is arranged on the device.

When a quick format is performed, it creates an empty file system and marks the storage space as available for use, essentially resetting the storage device without fully erasing the data. This process is foundational for utilizing any storage medium, whether it’s a hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or external storage device.

In contrast, other processes mentioned do not involve setting up a new file system. For instance, crypto erase refers to the method of deleting encryption keys, making any previously stored data irretrievable, while purge involves removing data to the point of ensuring it cannot be reconstructed. Disk defragmentation, on the other hand, is a maintenance task that reorganizes fragmented data to improve access speed but does not establish a new file system.