Formatting an M.2

[Daniel D.]

I want to fully wipe (format) all drives on my pc from the tab where you install windows 10. I know that if you format a hard drive or an SSD it will shorten its lifespan. Is it the same thing with M.2s? If yes how should I delete everything without formatting it and then install a new OS?

[ProjectBox153]

Formatting a drive does not shorten its lifespan. What WILL shorten the lifespan of an SSD is doing a secure erase and wipe by filling the drive with random data, but you don't need to do that. A quick format does not shorten the lifespan though. 

[Oshino Shinobu]

3 minutes ago, Daniel D. said:

I want to fully wipe (format) all drives on my pc from the tab where you install windows 10. I know that if you format a hard drive or an SSD it will shorten its lifespan. Is it the same thing with M.2s? If yes how should I delete everything without formatting it and then install a new OS?

Formatting would only shorten the lifespan by any measurable means if you fully 0 the drive. 

 

A normal format doesn't actually erase all the data, it just marks sectors as empty so they can be overwritten. 

 

M.2 is just a form factor. They don't operate any differently from SSDs in any other form factor. 

[HanZie82]

4 minutes ago, Daniel D. said:

I want to fully wipe (format) all drives on my pc from the tab where you install windows 10. I know that if you format a hard drive or an SSD it will shorten its lifespan. Is it the same thing with M.2s? If yes how should I delete everything without formatting it and then install a new OS?

I personally would not format it per sé.
I would just remove all partitions (from the screen you mention) then selct correct drive and let the installer figure it out.
That way it will only be done once and it dont bother me.
(Installer will make it own partitions and format them)

[aDoomGuy]

What wears out a SSD is writing data. A format will not write over existing data but when you write new files to it there will be some wear. I wouldn't worry about it as SSD will usually last a long time. My Samsung SSDs are almost two years old and still have 98% remaining life on them.

[Daniel D.]

So how should I do that? With some kind of software or from where you install windows?

 

[HanZie82]

1 minute ago, Daniel D. said:

So how should I do that? With some kind of software or from where you install windows?

 

I personally would not format it per sé.
I would just remove all partitions (from the screen you mention) then selct correct drive and let the installer figure it out.
That way it will only be done once and it wont bother you anymore.
(Installer will make it own partitions and format them)

[Daniel D.]

Just now, HanZie82 said:

I personally would not format it per sé.
I would just remove all partitions (from the screen you mention) then selct correct drive and let the installer figure it out.
That way it will only be done once and it dont bother me.
(Installer will make it own partitions and format them)

I'm not sure if there is a "correct drive" option, but I'll try it. Thanks for the help!

[Kilrah]

He means "the drive you want".

[Daniel D.]

1 minute ago, Kilrah said:

He means "the drive you want".

Ohhh , thanks

[HanZie82]

27 minutes ago, Daniel D. said:

I'm not sure if there is a "correct drive" option, but I'll try it. Thanks for the help!

 

1 minute ago, Kilrah said:

He means "the drive you want".

@Kilrah is 100% correct.
By correct drive i mean the one you want to use for Windows .