How to delete all data on an SSD (And the SSD remain usable)

TankerHC

New Member
I have upgraded the SSD in two of my computers and want to give one to my brother. How do I delete everything on the SSD and the SSD remain usable. I ask this because from everything I am reading, if you delete anything from an SSD, the deleted sectors become unusable.

Thanks
Jeff
 
I have upgraded the SSD in two of my computers and want to give one to my brother. How do I delete everything on the SSD and the SSD remain usable. I ask this because from everything I am reading, if you delete anything from an SSD, the deleted sectors become unusable.

Thanks
Jeff

I don't know what you're reading, but if that were true then SSD's wouldn't have the usable life they do, and neither would any other flash memory (IE: Flashdrives). They wear out over time, but it takes a lot of usage and read/writes.
 
When you say delete everything your talking about the whole drive right? Including os then reinstall it.

You can check with the ssd's manufacturer's site to see if they have a recommended way of secure ersae/cleaning it and while there see if there a FW update you want/need. Or, what I usually do is just use Diskpart from elevated command prompt and run a 'clean all' command. For ssd 'clean' is like a quick format a hhd has, and 'clean all' is like full format.

edit: Here's how in case you want to use this method.

With only the cd/dvd and ssd connected(disconnect other drives), make the cd/dvd the first boot device, put the Windows install disc in and reboot to the installer.

Instruction: When you get to the "Language to install" screen / press and hold down "SHIFT" / then F10 to open Elevated Command Prompt.

(<enter> = press enter key)

Instruction: Type: Diskpart <enter> list disk <enter> select disk # (for #, with one disc connected there will only be one number so just use that number(#))<enter> clean all <enter>
It migh look like nothings happening, but it is so don't do anything and just let it do its thing. It will tell you when its complete.
Then exit Diskpart and Command Prompt by typeing:exit<enter> exit<enter>

The installer will continue. When you get to where you choose where to install Windows the ssd will say 'unallocated space'.

For other options/ideas click the link in my sig.
 
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