I'm trying to completely erase an Apacer NVMe SSD so I can reinstall Windows, but BitLocker seems to be preventing me from formatting or deleting all of its partitions. I've tried DiskPart's clean command and booting from Windows installation media, but one of the two partitions still remains inaccessible or cannot be removed. I considered using DBAN, though I've read that repeated overwriting is not ideal for SSDs. I also have the BitLocker recovery key, but I haven't been prompted to enter it. This started after I replaced a Corsair CX650 power supply with a CX750, so I'm wondering whether that could be related. What is the safest way to wipe the entire drive and start over?
3 Answers
BitLocker encryption does not normally prevent a drive from being erased; it only protects the data on the existing volumes. Boot the computer from separate Windows installation media or a Linux/GParted live USB rather than attempting to modify the active system drive. In Windows Setup, choose the custom installation option, select each partition on the NVMe drive, delete them, and install into the resulting unallocated space. Be absolutely certain you have selected the correct physical drive, because deleting the partitions permanently removes the data and the recovery key will not restore erased files.
A Linux live USB or GParted live USB is another practical option. Boot from it, identify the NVMe by its model and capacity, then remove the partition table or recreate it. Some systems also provide a Secure Erase or NVMe Sanitize function in the UEFI/BIOS, which is preferable to DBAN because it is designed for SSDs and avoids unnecessary overwriting. Check the drive model carefully before confirming the erase.
If you need the files instead of a blank drive, stop trying to wipe it and use the BitLocker recovery key from a recovery environment. The key may unlock one volume but not another if the partitions were protected separately. If the goal is simply a clean Windows installation and the data is unimportant, recovery is unnecessary: boot externally and erase the drive or use the firmware’s NVMe Secure Erase option. The power-supply replacement is unlikely to cause BitLocker itself, although any unexpected shutdown or hardware change can trigger a recovery-key request.
I tried booting from installation media, but there are two partitions and only one appears to unlock or become removable. I’m trying to clear the entire SSD, not just the first partition.