Question Which method to clean NVMes for a fresh install of OS?

[Oneri]

Hi all.

I'm planning to do a clean install of Windows to start fresh, but I also want to delete all the files from my two Samsung NVMe 970 Evo Plus (one for storage and one for OS).

My question is if I should proceed with a secure erase using Samsung Magician for both drives or is it enough to delete all the partitions of the drives during the Windows USB installation?

I've heard using diskpart for SSDs shortens their lifespans, so I rather not doing that.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lafong]

I'd just delete the partitions during the install.

Do you have some fear that that would be insufficient?

If so, you can certainly format the drive manually before beginning the install.

Or secure erase it.

Or use diskpart.

Whatever will allow you to sleep well.

Not sure I've heard the one about diskpart being bad for SSDs.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I'm planning to do a clean install of Windows to start fresh, but I also want to delete all the files from my two Samsung NVMe 970 Evo Plus (one for storage and one for OS).

Have only single drive connected during windows install.
Physically disconnect any and all secondary drives.

My question is if I should proceed with a secure erase using Samsung Magician for both drives or is it enough to delete all the partitions of the drives during the Windows USB installation?
I've heard using diskpart for SSDs shortens their lifespans, so I rather not doing that.

Use diskpart clean method.

Secure erase is not necessary for reinstall purposes. You'd use, if you wanted to sell your drive.

 

[Oneri]

Thank you for your replies.

I'd just delete the partitions during the install.

Do you have some fear that that would be insufficient?

My concern is that I want to remove the files from my secondary drive during the Windows install.

Have only single drive connected during windows install.
Physically disconnect any and all secondary drives.

Use diskpart clean method.

I can't physically remove it as I'd have to remove and reinstall the gpu as well. Obviously I'd rather not have to do this.

 

[Lafong]

My concern is that I want to remove the files from my secondary drive during the Windows install.

Not quite sure I am following that.

Why during rather than before or after?

Is there NOTHING on the secondary drive you want to keep?

Clarification needed as to exactly what you have in mind.

 

[CountMike]

Thank you for your replies.


My concern is that I want to remove the files from my secondary drive during the Windows install.


I can't physically remove it as I'd have to remove and reinstall the gpu as well. Obviously I'd rather not have to do this.

Usea program like Mini tool partition wizard free to wipe everything from secondary disk and leave it raw (not formatted) until you reinstall windows on the other one.

Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Wizard Free

As an all-in-one free partition manager and disk manager software, MiniTool Partition Wizard Free helps manage disk space safely on Windows 11/10/8/7.

www.partitionwizard.com

 

[USAFRet]

I can't physically remove it as I'd have to remove and reinstall the gpu as well. Obviously I'd rather not have to do this.

The issue with having both drives connected, is that the small boot partition will end up on the second drive.
Not something you choose to do or can prevent during the install...Windows just does it.

The way to prevent? Physical disconnection.