Trying to find a way to format an SSD that has Windows 10 on it

[FelxProxy]

I'm using a Sandisk 128GB SSD to house my Windows 10 OS, but I've made a few mistakes (Mostly from using a shady product key that I thought was completely normal, thats my fault) and I can't find a way to uninstall Windows 10, I was never interested in the installing and managing of an OS, so I'm stuck. Would taking out my SSD, getting a SataData/Sta Power to USB cable and plugging it to another computer give me more options to format it in some way? Any help is appreciated.

 

[Herc08]

That would be the only way. You won't be able to format while running on it, that wouldn't make sense. However, you can use some type of Windows 10 installation media from a USB stick, hop into Command Prompt from the Windows PE and go into diskpart and format it that way.

 

[t53186]

As HERC08 mentioned you need to format with another tool, try this https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 create a bootable usb, format the drive, do not install windows unless you want a fresh install.

 

[13thmonkey]

You can't format the disk windows is running on, so you get the installation media, and reinstall it, as a part of that process you'll reformat. I'm assuming you still want an OS on the disk.

 

[FelxProxy]

That would be the only way. You won't be able to format while running on it, that wouldn't make sense. However, you can use some type of Windows 10 installation media from a USB stick, hop into Command Prompt from the Windows PE and go into diskpart and format it that way.

Thank you for the confirmation; I'm sure there are strict guides for it, but I'm not really familiar with Command Prompt for these kind of things, so I'll order a SATA to USB and see if I can use some program or just use the library to format it.

 

[13thmonkey]

Is this your working windows?

 

[FelxProxy]

As HERC08 mentioned you need to format with another tool, try this https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 create a bootable usb, format the drive, do not install windows unless you want a fresh install.

Is this your working windows?

It's Windows 10, but it has been de-activated. Basically, my situation is, I changed my Mobo, and didn't realize I needed to tie my product key to my Microsoft account before upgrading, since it's defaultly tied to the motherboard you used the key on, so I can't activate it even using the troubleshooting and selecting an old device using my product key options in my Settings. At this point, I dont mind losing this specific key, I just want to wipe my SSD and get a legit-er key for windows.

 

[t53186]

Download the windows 10 media creator tools and create a bootable USB. You can then boot from the USB and format your SSD, no commands involved, all GUI. Then you can either abort the installation of windows or continue and load a fresh install on the SSD, Getting a new key is easy.

 

[13thmonkey]

So you ultimately want to install windows back onto the SSD. So simply download the install media, put it on a USB stick using the little app that comes with it, install from USB, and tell it to go onto the SSD, no need for caddies etc.

 

[FelxProxy]

Download the windows 10 media creator tools and create a bootable USB. You can then boot from the USB and format your SSD, no commands involved, all GUI. Then you can either abort the installation of windows or continue and load a fresh install on the SSD, Getting a new key is easy.

I have booted from the Media USB, it took me to the windows installation, but I didn't see option to do a fresh install and uninstall my current Windows 10, however. Maybe I overlooked something?

 

[13thmonkey]

you are booting from USB? and not booting from the SSD?

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb

 

[FelxProxy]

you are booting from USB? and not booting from the SSD?

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb

So I simply make another partition on my Windows 10 drive, and then use that for the fresh install of another windows 10?

 

[t53186]

you are booting from USB? and not booting from the SSD?

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb

So I simply make another partition on my Windows 10 drive, and then use that for the fresh install of another windows 10?

Look at the instructions from 13th monkey. Start the installation, you will be asked what partition to use. Delete all the partitions, create a new one. Then you are done if all you want is a blank drive.

If you want windows installed do it to the new partition you created.

 

[13thmonkey]

^ yep, do that. Be fully aware you will lose everything on that drive, and it will not be recoverable.

 

[FelxProxy]

you are booting from USB? and not booting from the SSD?

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb

So I simply make another partition on my Windows 10 drive, and then use that for the fresh install of another windows 10?

Look at the instructions from 13th monkey. Start the installation, you will be asked what partition to use. Delete all the partitions, create a new one. Then you are done if all you want is a blank drive.

If you want windows installed do it to the new partition you created.

Thank you very much, I know have a fresh install of Windows that I'll get a product key for at some point, I know now this was probably not thread-worthy, but thanks to everyone that helped me solve this.