Formatting an SSD is the best way to boost its carrying out or clear out any potentially malicious malware whenever you move it to a raw system , purchase one 2d hand , or design to trade yours on to someone else . While SSDs do proffer unbelievable performance , that can degrade over time , and the last thing you need is your data end up in the hands of someone else .
Fortunately , cleaning out a drive and returning it to its near - factory - new state is somewhat straight onwards . Although you ’ll call for to take precautious toback up any crucial data , you could get your drive back to fight down set shape in now time . Here ’s how to format an SSD on a Windows PC .
How to format a SSD using Disk Management
There are a bunch of third - party tools that can help you format a SSD . However , the build - in Windows Disk Management usefulness is capable of doing the same . It can also be used tocreate new partitionsof your SSD .
observe , however , that while this is a safe way to improve system performance , it does not completely erase old data point . So if you are selling your driving force on to someone else , you ’ll desire to perform a more robust data formatting , such as " zero - fulfil " the driving ( see below ) .
footstep 1 : Open theStartmenu , typediskmgmt.msc , and hitEnterto get to the Disk Management utility .
gradation 2 : From the list of drives , select the SSD that you desire to format . verify that you select the right SSD , as you will lose all of your data .
Step 3 : Once you have identify your SSD , right - select it and selectFormat .
pace 4 : A new pop - up should open where you must choose theFile systemasNTFS , Allocation building block sizeasDefault , and uncheck thePerform a quick formatbox . If you wish , you could also rename your SSD by typewrite the name in front of theVolume labelfield .
Step 5 : ClickOKto commence the format process .
footprint 6 : Windows should now format your SSD .
How to format an SSD using File Explorer
Another mere elbow room to format your SSD is by using the default Windows File Explorer . It work passably much the same elbow room but with fewer steps .
stride 1 : launch the File Explorer and search for your SSD from the leaning of drive and folders on the leftfield .
Step 2 : Right - mouse press the SSD and take theFormatoption . ensure you have selected the right SSD as you do n’t want to end up mislay important file .
stair 3 : A young windowpane should open where you ask to select theFile systemasNTFS , Allocation unit sizeasDefault allotment size of it , and uncheck theQuick formatbox . you may also rename your SSD by typing the name in front of theVolume labelfield .
stride 4 : select theStartbutton at the bottom to begin the process .
pace 5 : Windows should now format your SSD .
How to format an SSD using the zero-fill method
Where standard initialize only make your SSD " forget " where all your file are , go forth them still accessible to someone determined enough to find them , zero - make full your drive delete everything to a much higher measure . It all wipe your storage machine by drop a line zeroes to every piece , thus making it much harder for any sort of data recovery . Here ’s how you’re able to initialise an SSD using the zero - fill method acting .
Step 1 : launch the WindowsStartmenu , typeCMD , and quality theRun as administratoroption to open Command Prompt with administrative right wing .
Step 2 : Once Command Prompt opens , typeformat Drive Letter /fs : NTFS /p:0 . Make certain you dual - check and pluck the correct SSD to format . In our case , we need to format the D : drive , so we require to typeformat viosterol : /fs : NTFS /p:0 .
footmark 3 : Next , enter the current volume recording label or name of the disk cause and hitEnter .
pace 4 : A word of advice message should appear where you need to typeYto confirm your activity .
whole step 5 : Windows should now format your SSD using the zero - fill method . It might take a while bet on the size of the SSD .
Looking to upgrade your SSD after ditching the old one ? Here are thebest SSDs you could buy in 2024 . If you ’d like some added pourboire on how to pick an SSD , check outour SSD buying scout .
