How to Format SSD with Windows on It? [Windows 11/10/8/7]
To format an SSD with Windows on it, you can follow these steps: create a Windows installation media, boot from it, and then select the SSD to format. Alternatively, you can use the built-in Disk Management tool in Windows to format the SSD. You can also use a third-party tool like Qiling Partition Master to format the SSD.
The steps to format a solid-state drive (SSD) using Windows are as follows:
Can You Format SSD with Windows OS on It?
You can format an SSD with Windows OS on it, but you'll need to use a third-party tool or the Disk Management console in Windows instead of the built-in Disk Management tool. This is because the built-in tool can't delete the system reserved partition, which is required to format the entire drive.
Windows has three methods to format SSDs: Disk Management, Diskpart, and CMD. However, using Disk Management to format an SSD with Windows on it may result in an error message saying "You cannot format this volume."
If your SSD has Windows on it, you can't format it in Windows because formatting will delete the operating system, which is necessary for starting the computer.
Since Windows built-If you're unable to format your C drive using built-in tools due to a Windows installation on the SSD, you can use a professional formatting tool like Qiling Partition Master to help you solve the problem easily.
How to Format SSD with Windows on It?
Qiling Partition Master is a professional SSD formatting tool that allows users to create a bootable disk and easily format SSDs with operating systems on them, featuring a simple interface suitable for novices.
Guide 1. Make Bootable Media
You need to create a bootable disk first to access the drive outside of the current operating system, after which you can format the SSD with Windows on it.
Step 1. To create a bootable disk of Qiling Partition Master, prepare a storage media such as a USB drive or CD/DVD disc, and connect it to your computer.
Step 2. Launch Qiling Partition Master, and find the "Bootable Media" feature on the left. Click on it.
Step 3. You can choose to save the ISO file to a USB, CD/DVD, or a local drive. If you don't have a storage device handy, you can save the ISO to a local drive and then burn it to a storage media later. Once you've made your selection, click the "Create" button to start the process.
- Check the Warning message and click "Yes".
After the process is complete, you will have a Qiling Partition Master WinPE bootable disk that can be used to manage hard disks and partitions, even when the computer is unable to boot normally.
To load the RAID driver in WinPE, click "Add Driver" from the menu bar, which allows you to add the driver for your device, especially for devices like RAID that may not be recognized under WinPE without the necessary drivers installed. This helps ensure that your device is properly recognized and can be used in the WinPE environment.
Guide 2. Boot Computer from Bootable USB
After creating the Qiling Partition Master WinPE bootable disk, you can use it to manage your SSD through the disk.
Step 1. To enter the BIOS settings on reboot, simply restart your computer and hold down the "F2", "F8", or "Delete" key while it boots up. This will allow you to access the BIOS settings.
Step 2. To boot your computer from a bootable USB, enter your computer's BIOS settings and set the USB drive as the primary boot device. Once you've made this change, you can then format the SSD containing your Windows installation. This process allows you to prepare the SSD for a clean installation of Windows.
Guide 3. Format the SSD with Windows on It
When you reboot your computer, you'll enter an operating system created by Qiling Partition Master, which allows you to format the SSD with Windows installed on it.
We've set two options for you to wipe data. Choose the one you need.
Option 1. Wipe Partition
- Right-To erase data from a partition, click on the partition you want to erase data from, and then select the "Wipe" option.
- In the new window, set the time for which you want to wipe your partition.
- Click the "Proceed" button to wipe the data.
Option 2. Wipe Disk
- Select the HDD/SSD. And right-click to choose "Wipe Disk".
- Set the number of times to wipe data. You can set it to 10 times at most.
- Click "Proceed" to wipe data.
Formatting an SSD with Windows installed on it can be done using Qiling Partition Master, which can help complete the operation safely and efficiently. Alternatively, you can try a more advanced method, such as formatting the C drive via a Windows installation disk or system repair CD, by clicking the link below to learn more.
How to Format C Drive in Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7?
When you decide to format your C drive, you'll delete everything, including the operating system. Unlike other non-system drives, you can't use the quick format option on the C drive. However, with our help, you can learn a special method to format your C drive from start to finish.
What Else Can Qiling Partition Master Do?
Qiling Partition Master offers features beyond formatting an SSD with an operating system, including various SSD-related functionalities.
- Format SSD to FAT32
- Format SSD write-protected
- Clone large HDD to smaller SSD
- Check the disk and fix the corrupted SSD
Qiling Partition Master is an all-in-one disk management tool that can assist in managing disks.
Conclusion
Formatting an SSD card with Windows on it is not possible using Disk Management, but a reliable tool like Qiling Partition Master can be trusted to achieve this.
The tool can assist in creating bootable media and formatting an SSD card with Windows on it, making it easier to manage your disks.
FAQs About How to Format SSD Card with Windows on It
There are some common questions about formatting an SSD card with Windows installed on it. If you're interested in learning more, keep reading.
1. How do you format SSD card that Windows cannot format?
To resolve the issue of Windows being unable to format the SSD card, it's essential to identify and address the underlying cause. One possible reason is that the SSD card has an operating system installed on it, which prevents it from being formatted using standard methods. To overcome this, you can use a tool like Qiling Partition Master to create a bootable media, allowing you to successfully format the SSD card even if it contains a Windows OS. This approach enables you to manage and reformat the SSD card as needed.
2. Can I format SSD with OS on it?
You can format an SSD with an operating system on it, but you'll need to use a third-party tool like Qiling Partition Master, which allows you to create a bootable media and then format the SSD, as Windows built-in tools cannot delete the operating system.
3. Does formatting an SSD delete Windows?
Formatting an SSD will erase all data, including Windows, and require a reinstall. It's essential to back up your SSD before formatting to avoid losing important files and settings.
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