Hey everyone! I recently upgraded my PC from AM4 to AM5, and I decided to keep my Solidigm P41 Plus 1TB SSD instead of getting a new one. I don't need any of the files on it because I've backed everything up, and I want to wipe it completely. I've heard that plugging the SSD in without prep can mess with my system's performance due to old drivers, which sounds a bit confusing to me.
Here's what I'm thinking of doing:
1) Insert the SSD
2) Download the Windows 11 installation media onto a USB
3) Use my motherboard's BIOS to secure erase it
4) Redownload Windows.
But is these steps the best route, or is there a better way? Some folks mentioned using Solidigm's software to wipe the SSD, but since it's currently being used, I can't. I've also heard you might be able to wipe it from Windows itself. I just want to ensure it's completely clean so it doesn't slow down my new setup. Any advice?
3 Answers
If you're planning to use the SSD as your primary drive with Windows, you can actually wipe it during the Windows 11 installation. Just when you're at the setup screen, press Shift + F10 to open a command prompt. You can then enter commands to clean the SSD. Once you're in command prompt, type `diskpart`, then `list disk`, and select the appropriate disk number followed by `clean`. This will wipe everything off that disk! Then you can proceed with the installation and choose the SSD in the setup UI to install Windows on it. I just did this recently, and it worked flawlessly!
If you're going to reinstall Windows on the SSD, reformatting it through the installer is a breeze. The Windows setup will handle that for you. Just make sure to select the option to format the drive, and you’ll be good to go!
When you install Windows from the USB, it will ask you where you want to install it and will let you know that the entire SSD will be formatted. So, either way, the process you’re planning will take care of the wiping for you during the installation.
So just to clarify, should I wait until I'm in the setup to do that, or can I run those commands anytime? Like, before I restore Windows?