Windows 10 - Quick or Full format or Reset or Samsung Erase

[Stephen_14]

I've been having issues with windows, and before anyone mentions anything else, yes I've done it.... my last resort is to reinstall windows - not an issue, takes me a few minutes.

I have a 1TB SAMSUNG SSD, and I'm just wondering what's better??

1) Secure Erase
2) Windows 10 Reset
3) Quick or Full Format

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Updated: 5:35am.

The type of format doesn't bother me, in the slightest, but I rather the best option!

I just want the best option.

Reset, or Quick or Full format, Or Secure Erase.

 

[Colif]

1 & full format are same thing.

Do a full reinstall, the process includes wiping drive - follow this guide: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

reset may not work too well, it sort of depends on what problems you have.

 

[Doctor Rob]

IF you do not plan to give the SSD to another person then I would not do 1.. I would do just a simple Windows 10 reset (BACKUP your stuff first)

then if that does not work.. do a FULL reinstall of windows.

Also, make sure you update all the chipset drivers, sound, network, gpu, etc.. and any other stuff you may have on the system (BIOS as well)

 

[Doctor Rob]

1 & 3 are already included if you do a full install of Win 10 - follow this guide: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

reset may not work too well, it sort of depends on what problems you have.

Unless he plans to sell it no reason to do a secure erase on the drive. Unless he really wants to

 

[Stephen_14]

Updated it, the main post.

 

[Stephen_14]

1 & full format are same thing.

Do a full reinstall, the process includes wiping drive - follow this guide: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

reset may not work too well, it sort of depends on what problems you have.

You claim it's the same, yet I've researched this, and people have said a "Secure erase" can take minutes, "Full format can take hours".

I've always used standard "WINDOWS" full format, never used the "Samsung Secure Erase", so you are saying there's no difference?

 

[Colif]

full format of a ssd or hdd should only take a few minutes, it wipes out the partition table and leaves drive empty

 

[Stephen_14]

full format of a ssd or hdd should only take a few minutes, it wipes out the partition table and leaves drive empty

Any hard-drive, even one of my 7x Barracudas pros 12TBs will only take a few mintues?
FULL FORMAT? are you sure you aren't thinking of quick format..

Last Time i checked, depending on the size and more, it can take hours, so I don't know where you got this "FEW MINUTES" from but you are 100% wrong.

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Recently started a "Full format" on a "Western digital Black" it's still going. (been over 30 minutes)

 

[Saga Lout]

Asking for opinions of the best of three options then complaining to the poster who recommended one is the quickest way to pee folks off around here.

I always let Windows take care of the formatting in the installation process. It doesn't take much more than two minutes before stafting to copy files across.

 

[Peter Martin]

use windows usb to boot and run install
have only ssd plugged in
delete all partitions on ssd
windows install will handle the rest

if you don't like it, then don't ask.

full clean install takes just about 8 minutes TOTAL time to install everything and run so I don' know why you are worried. for the 12tb drives, quick format if you must, don't know why you would

 

[Stephen_14]

IF you do not plan to give the SSD to another person then I would not do 1.. I would do just a simple Windows 10 reset (BACKUP your stuff first)

then if that does not work.. do a FULL reinstall of windows.

Also, make sure you update all the chipset drivers, sound, network, gpu, etc.. and any other stuff you may have on the system (BIOS as well)

Picked as the best answer, and don't worry, I know what to do, I always keep my stuff up to date, unless it's (BETA BIOS VERSIONS) then i wait for the full release versions.


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THE MODERATOR ABOVE OR SOME MOD, THOUGHT THEY'D BE ALL CHILDISH AND REMOVE A POSTED RESPONSE TO HIS REMARK TELLING HIM TO CHECK HIS PRIVILEGE AND NOT ASSUME THAT SOMEONE'S MAKING A COMPLAINT WHEN INSTEAD I WAS QUESTIONING A QUESTION!

P.s Capitals doesn't always mean shouting, so before someone jumps on that childish wagon, you are welcome, if you know english you'll know the correct reason why this is capitalised!

 

[popatim]

Secure erase for SSD's
When an ATA Secure Erase (SE) command is issued to the SSD's controller it then resets all its cells to empty thus zero-ing the drive.

Quick format delete the partition table & write the new one. On an HDD the files would still be there and easily recovered but on any recent SSD the data would be scrambled as they do not work the same as an SSD. IMO why take chances.

Full format would write 0's to every cell and then also tests for bad sectors on the drive. This is a waste of time since the SSD monitors for weak cells all on its own.