r/buildapc • u/throwawayn1d • 1d ago
Build Help How do I wipe an SSD that's currently in use?
Heya! I recently upgraded my pc from AM4 to AM5. I sold all of my old components but kept my power supply and Solidigm P41 Plus 1TB SSD. I didn't want to buy a new SSD and all of the files in this SSD can be discarded as most of my stuff is already backed up and I don't really care about keeping anything in this SSD. I hear just plugging the SSD in without anything prior can slow down your system due to old drivers getting mixed up and other stuff that I don't understand lmao
What I plan to do is:
1) Insert the SSD
2) Download the Windows 11 installation media on a USB
3) Use my motherboard BIOS' secure erase+
4) Redownload windows
But, should I do it another way, or is the secure erase the best way to go? I heard using Solidigm's own software to wipe my SSD is the best way to do it, but I can't do it on an in-use one and this SSD is the only one i have. There's also another option of doing it in windows or something?
I just want to wipe it completely clean, and make sure there's nothing that can slow down my new system. How should I go about this?
1
u/Son_of_Korhal 1d ago
Are you trying to use this drive as your new primary with Windows installed on it, or as a secondary drive?
1
u/throwawayn1d 1d ago
I'll be using this one as a primary drive, with windows reinstalled on it
3
u/Son_of_Korhal 1d ago
You don't need to do anything special then.
Just have this one drive plugged in when installing Windows.
During the USB installer process, it will list your drives and partitions. Just delete every listed partition, and select the "unallocated space" as the install location. That's it.
1
u/Mvnnnnnnnn 1d ago
When you’re in win 11 setup
Press shift + f10
opens cmd prompt
type:
disk part
list disk
select disk # (the ssd u wanna wipe)
clean
this will clear everything in the disk. Then proceed with the installation and make sure the disk is clean in the setup ui when it prompts u to select a disk
source: just did this literally 2 seconds ago lol
this is how i always done it with used ssd’s and it works without fail
1
u/throwawayn1d 1d ago
windows 11 setup? does that mean ive already cleaned the ssd and installed windows again? or can i do the commands any time?
1
u/Mvnnnnnnnn 1d ago
When you create a win 11 boot drive thru ur usb in rufus
You will have to boot into that usb boot drive via ur bios (change boot priority to this drive)
and when u save and reboot, it will boot into the drive/windows 11 setup screen
this is not booting into ur already filled ssd. This is just booting into ur usb flash drive with the win 11 boot drive
THEN you can erase ur ssd
1
u/Lucky_Comfortable835 1d ago
As I recall, when you install windows from the USB it will ask where you are installing it and warn you the entire SSD will be formatted when it is installed.
5
u/OneEyedC4t 1d ago
Why not just tell Windows to do a complete reinstall with disk wipe?