Question About M.2 drives and how to wipe and reinstall Windows 10 on it ?

[Dash46]

I have an HP 17-cp0700dx laptop that I want to wipe and reinstall Window 10 on. I have little knowledge on M.2 drives. This computer has a Western Digital PC SN530 NVMe SDD. I have many questions about how to do this. It has been a while since I work on any new computer. I need to be updated on some of the newer stuff. For both to help finish this task and for educational purposes, I would like these questions to be answered. Whoever has the best and most detailed answers will be selected favorite after 5 days.

1) Can I wipe an M.2 drive? How?

2) Is there a program that will help you wipe the M.2 drive?

3) Can I install Windows 10 on M.2 Drive?

4) What SATA strip cable do I need to plug an HDD for this computer? (This computer is capable of installing a secondary HDD or SSD Drive)

5) Can I Install Window 10 on HDD and boot from HDD Instead?


Thank You for reading, and your answers.

 

[USAFRet]

The M.2 drive is little different than any other main drive.

See here, for a clean install of Win 10.
There is a section in there for completely deleting ALL existing data and continuing with a blank drive.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[USAFRet]

Can I Install Window 10 on HDD and boot from HDD Instead?

Given SATA III SSD or M.2 NVMe drive...you really don't want the OS on a spinning HDD.

 

[Dash46]

Given SATA III SSD or M.2 NVMe drive...you really don't want the OS on a spinning HDD.

Truth be told this did not really help me. I already have a bootable window 10 usb that I made. I already know all these steps to install window 10. I guess the best answer I could get out of this is that you can delete partition of a m.2 drive, the same as an HDD or SSD. I wanted to use an HDD because I have plenty of HDD after I work for a computer store many years ago. It is just cheaper to use an HDD you have than to buy an SDD. The biggest question and main reason I ask this question and really didn't want to say it due to privacy concern or paranoia was is there a way to avoid telemetry and tracking? With a Pre-build laptop from Hp, I do not know if there is something build within the hardware now; especially in the m.2 drive I am not familiar with. I have found ways to control and adjust the telementry in Windows 10. It is what might be built in the hardware that I am not familiar with.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Can I wipe a M.2 Drive? How?
Is there a program that will help you wipe the M.2 Drive?

Windows install process. Delete all existing partitions from drive before proceeding to OS install.

Can I install Window 10 on M.2 Drive?
Can I Install Window 10 on HDD and boot from HDD Instead?

Of course. Both.
You can install windows on any internally connected drive.

What SATA strip cable do I need to plug an HDD for this computer?

"SATA strip cable"?
For connecting sata HDD you need SATA data cable (HDD to motherboard - a separate cable) and
SATA power cable (HDD to PSU - included with PSU).

 

[CountMike]

Truth be told this did not really help me. I already have a bootable window 10 usb that I made. I already know all these steps to install window 10. I guess the best answer I could get out of this is that you can delete partition of a m.2 drive, the same as an HDD or SSD. I wanted to use an HDD because I have plenty of HDD after I work for a computer store many years ago. It is just cheaper to use an HDD you have than to buy an SDD. The biggest question and main reason I ask this question and really didn't want to say it due to privacy concern or paranoia was is there a way to avoid telemetry and tracking? With a Pre-build laptop from Hp, I do not know if there is something build within the hardware now; especially in the m.2 drive I am not familiar with. I have found ways to control and adjust the telementry in Windows 10. It is what might be built in the hardware that I am not familiar with.

There's no "spying" or "telemetry" from HW only in SW included with your PC Once you do clean OS install you can control it.
As far as for type of drive, M.2 NVMe is no different than any other drive even HDDs, Their firmware translates between storage and file system. So, it's nothing special about it.

 

[JeffreyP55]

I have an Hp 17-cp0700dx model laptop that I want to wipe and reinstall window 10 on. I have little knowledge on m.2 drives. This computer has a Western Digital PC SN530 NVMe SDD. I have many questions about how to do this. It has been a while since I work on any new computer. I need to be updated on some of the newer stuff. For both to help finish this task and for educational purposes, I would like these questions to be answered. Whoever has the best and most detailed answers will be selected favorite after 5 days.

Can I wipe a M.2 Drive? How?

Is there a program that will help you wipe the M.2 Drive?

Can I install Window 10 on M.2 Drive?

What SATA strip cable do I need to plug an HDD for this computer? (This computer is capable of installing a secondary HDD or SSD Drive)

Can I Install Window 10 on HDD and boot from HDD Instead?


Thank You for reading and your answers.

Nvme is the controller for M.2 2280 SSD drives. The drive is an old slow Gen 3x4 drive. Just format the damn thing.