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Noob question: How do I "empty" an SSD?

Joduko
By Joduko
in Storage Devices
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I'm getting a new 500gb m.2 NVMe SSD for a new build to replace my aging 250gb SATA 2.5'' SSD.

 

I've gotten all of the stuff I want off the 2.5'' SSD and I want to clear the drive so it's like new basically since I'm going to reinstall windows from a USB onto the NVMe drive.

 

How do I remove all data from a 2.5'' SSD?

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Just now, Damprol said:

I'm getting a new 500gb m.2 NVMe SSD for a new build to replace my aging 250gb SATA 2.5'' SSD.

 

I've gotten all of the stuff I want off the 2.5'' SSD and I want to clear the drive so it's like new basically since I'm going to reinstall windows from a USB onto the NVMe drive.

 

How do I remove all data from a 2.5'' SSD?

When you are in the windows installer, if you select custom installation to choose what drive to install on, it should allow you to delete and format partitions from the menu where you select the drive. Just do that to the old drive before you select to install on the new one.

I mostly speak from my own past experience from similar problems. My solution may not work for you, but I'll always try my best to help as much as I can. If you want me to see your reply, make sure to quote my comment or mention me @WaggishOhio383, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

 

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1 minute ago, Damprol said:

How do I remove all data from a 2.5'' SSD?

Given that you are doing a new build, when you are installing Windows, it will show an option to select which drive to boot into, just select the 250 gig drive and hit delete/format

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Just now, Damprol said:

I'm getting a new 500gb m.2 NVMe SSD for a new build to replace my aging 250gb SATA 2.5'' SSD. I've gotten all of the stuff I want off the 2.5'' SSD and I want to clear the drive so it's like new basically since I'm going to reinstall windows from a USB onto the NVMe drive.

How do I remove all data from a 2.5'' SSD?

Once you have Windows installed, you can go to Explorer, right click the drive and press format.

Of course, ensure you are choosing the correct drive, since formatting will completely empty the drive; which you obviously don't want to do with a drive where the data on it matters.

"We're all in this together, might as well be friends" Tom, Toonami.

 

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3 minutes ago, Damprol said:

I'm getting a new 500gb m.2 NVMe SSD for a new build to replace my aging 250gb SATA 2.5'' SSD.

 

I've gotten all of the stuff I want off the 2.5'' SSD and I want to clear the drive so it's like new basically since I'm going to reinstall windows from a USB onto the NVMe drive.

 

How do I remove all data from a 2.5'' SSD?

Once you install Windows on your new drive and move any data you need over from the old one, you can format it by using the program called diskmgmt.msc.

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Use Disk Management.

 

Right click the Windows icon, select Disk Management...

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13 minutes ago, Damprol said:

How do I remove all data from a 2.5'' SSD?

Don't. Keep it for a week or two, you might get into trouble with the new install then you just boot to it.

After you certain everything is ok, then you can delete it.

Or ,as i usually did, delete everything but the windows files, so i can use it as a second drive and backup boot in the future.

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