Reinstalling Windows on SSD. Should I wipe SSD first?

[sonix87]

I'm currently running Windows 8.1 on an SSD. Been running the SSD for 1.5+ years and want a fresh reinstall of windows to clear all the junk that has accumalted. So should I secure erase the SSD before reinstalling or do a quick format or what? Thanks for your responses.

[Vader]

I'm currently running Windows 8.1 on an SSD. Been running the SSD for 1.5+ years and want a fresh reinstall of windows to clear all the junk that has accumalted. So should I secure erase the SSD before reinstalling or do a quick format or what? Thanks for your responses.

I think the format option when reinstalling windows will be enough.

[TheNinjaNextDor]

You should backup all the things you want to keep on it, erase everything, then install.

[N7_Zer0]

A few years ago I did a test with several SSDs (Samsung, Plextor, Intel) using default Windows installer quick format vs a secure erase (using Parted Magic). Every single time, the secure erase produced slightly faster benchmarks in Crystal Disk Mark. In real world use, you probably won't notice the difference but nevertheless, it's still faster.

[schwat]

A few years ago I did a test with several SSDs (Samsung, Plextor, Intel) using default Windows installer quick format vs a secure erase (using Parted Magic). Every single time, the secure erase produced slightly faster benchmarks in Crystal Disk Mark. In real world use, you probably won't notice the difference but nevertheless, it's still faster.

 

After doing a quick format instead of a secure erase I kept getting intermittent BSODs that seemed to point to SSD (kernel inpage error). Somehow a secure erase & reinstall sorted it out. Every other time I've always done a secure erase that time I was just feeling lazy.

 

IMO its worth the extra 5-10 min to boot up parted magic & secure erase.