3 Best Ways To Format SSD Windows PC or Laptop [ Guide #2023 ]
Formatting (or re-formatting) a solid-state drive (SSD) is a quick and easy mechanism that replenishes the device to its original condition. If you want to sell or give your old hard drive, you’ll need to do more than just reformat it; you’ll need to wipe all of the data as well. “Solid State Drive” is the abbreviation for “solid-state drive.” It is a sort of disc that is used to store data on a computer.
It offers several benefits over standard hard discs. To store data, an SSD, like a hard disc, must be partitioned into one or more partitions. As a result, formatting an SSD entails formatting an SSD sector. This article will explain the 3 best ways to format SSD Windows on pc or laptop.
As solid-state drives (SSDs) grow increasingly widespread, formatting or reformatting becomes more crucial. A computer, for example, may become sluggish after being used for a long period. A large number of ineffective apps, accumulating infections, damaged data, and other issues can all cause problems. There’s a probability you’ll have to reinstall Windows in the coming time.
Then a full SSD formatting is a fantastic option since it will clean the SSD and remove any viruses. As a result, your computer will operate quicker or you will be able to update your system.
Here are three excellent ways for formatting an SSD that you may use
Before formatting an SSD, keep in mind that formatting entails erasing everything. So, if you have sensitive data on an SSD, make a backup first. By the way, AOMEI Backupper, which is available for free, can handle it.
Method 1: Use Disk Management to format the SSD
- To access Disk Management, use “Win+R” to enter the “Run” box, then type “diskmgmt.msc.”
- Right-click the SSD partition you wish to format (here, E drive). Select “Format.”
- In the pop-up box, you may label the partition, modify the file system, and execute a rapid format. Then press “OK.”
Tips: Through Disk Management, only partitions with a capacity of less than or equal to 32GB can be converted from NTFS to FAT32.
There will be a notice regarding data loss. After you’ve confirmed your confirmation, click “OK.”
Method 2: Use DiskPart to format the SSD
- By hitting “Win+R” and adding “cmd” in the “Run” field, you may access Command Prompt.
- You must first enter Command Prompt from BIOS in order to format the SSD from BIOS. You’ll need the Windows Installation Disc, Repair Disc, or Advanced Startup. Then, to format the SSD, type these commands.
- After each instruction, hit Enter to complete the sequence.
- diskpart
- list volume
- Then the next command to type is “format fs=ntfs quick label=test”.
- Afterward, input the command “exit”.
Tips: Test the following syntax to clean an SSD drive: diskpart > list disc > pick disc n (where n is the SSD’s disc number) > clean > exit.
The system partition and boot partition cannot be formatted with Windows’ built-in utilities. When you right-click C drive, you’ll see that the option “Format” is greyed off.
If you do need to format the system partition for a clean Windows installation, you can do so with the help of a third-party partition manager, such as AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard, which includes the utility “Make Bootable Media,” which allows you to create a bootable USB/CD that allows you to start your computer from Windows PE and format the system partition.
Method 3: Use the free AOMEI Partition Assistant to format the SSD
AOMEI Partition Assistant is a free partition manager that allows you to effortlessly manage your hard drive partitions. It can also convert NTFS to FAT32 for partitions greater than 32GB.
- AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard is available for download. Install it and run it. Then, on the SSD partition, you wish to format, right-click it. Choose “Format.”
- You can rename the partition and alter the file system here, then click “OK” to proceed.
- To commit the operation, remember to click “Apply” in the toolbar.
- Note that formatting the C disc or the system drive will prevent the operating system from booting. Before you take a risk, think carefully.
- Furthermore, the free AOMEI Partition Assistant allows you to write zeros to your hard disc, which is a low-level format. If you ever have a need for it, give the feature a go.
Why Is It Necessary to Format an SSD?
Games, programs, and movies load quicker with an SSD (Solid-State Drive). SSDs are lighter and better equipped to tolerate movement and page drops due to the technology they employ. It also consumes less energy, which allows computers to operate cooler. As a consequence, the vast majority of consumers purchase a new SSD to replace their old HDD. Some users also transfer their operating systems to SSDs in order to improve performance. As solid-state drives (SSDs) grow increasingly widespread, formatting or reformatting becomes more crucial.
You’ve purchased a new SSD
In most circumstances, you’ll need to format your new SSD. The SSD format was chosen because it allows the SSD drive to be utilized on a range of devices. Different file systems (NTFS, HFS+, Ext3, or Ext4) may be used on these platforms. To mount the drive as a functional storage volume on your system, you’ll need to partition and format it.
You wish to use the SSD to install Windows 11/10/8/7
You may use third-party software to migrate your OS to SSD without losing data if you wish to maintain your original OS, apps, and data on your system drive.
Conclusion
The three methods above are applicable to practically all common SSD drives, including Samsung SSD, Crucial SSD, and others. In truth, formatting an SSD does not completely delete the data before writing fresh data to it. Some data recovery applications can still find them. If you want to sell or give your SSD, you’ll need to delete all of the data on it permanently. AOMEI Partition Assistant provides a wipe partition feature. Any data recovery program won’t be able to find the data once it’s been done.
AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard is, by the way, commonly used by home users. AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional edition has more sophisticated capabilities like allocating free space, converting dynamic discs to basic, SSD safe erase, and so on.