How to Wipe an SSD on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 4, 2025

Planning to sell your PC, give away your SSD, or just start fresh? Simply deleting files isn’t enough—data can often be recovered with the right tools. To ensure your information is truly gone, you need to wipe the SSD securely.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through safe and effective methods to wipe an SSD on Windows 11.

Why Wipe an SSD?

  • Protect personal data: Prevent recovery of private files.

  • Prepare for resale: Hand over a clean drive to the next owner.

  • Fix errors: Start fresh with a clean state.

  • Improve performance: A proper reset can sometimes help with speed issues.

Think of it as erasing the chalkboard completely rather than just smudging the writing.

What to Do Before Wiping Your SSD

Before you proceed:

  • Backup important files to an external drive or cloud storage.

  • Sign out of accounts (Microsoft, OneDrive, etc.).

  • Check if your SSD has encryption enabled (e.g., BitLocker).

Method 1 – Wipe an SSD Using Windows Settings (Reset This PC)

This method is best if Windows is installed on the SSD and you want to start over.

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to System → Recovery.

  3. Under Recovery options, click Reset PC.

  4. Choose Remove everything.

  5. Select Fully clean the drive for a deeper wipe.

  6. Click Reset and wait for the process to complete.

Method 2 – Use Command Prompt (Diskpart)

For advanced users:

  1. Search for Command Prompt, right-click, and choose Run as administrator.

  2. Type:

    diskpart
    list disk
    select disk X (replace X with your SSD number)
    clean all

  3. Wait for the process to finish—it securely erases all data.

Method 3 – Use Third-Party Secure Erase Tools

Many SSD manufacturers provide their own wiping tools:

  • Samsung Magician (for Samsung SSDs)

  • Crucial Storage Executive (for Crucial SSDs)

  • SanDisk Dashboard (for SanDisk SSDs)

These tools often include a “Secure Erase” option that’s SSD-friendly.

Method 4 – Wipe External SSDs

For external or secondary SSDs:

  1. Connect the SSD to your PC.

  2. Open File Explorer → Right-click the SSD → Select Format.

  3. Choose NTFS or exFAT, and click Start.

  4. For deeper erasure, use the Full Format option.

Quick Wipe vs Full Wipe – What’s the Difference?

  • Quick Wipe: Removes file pointers but leaves data recoverable.

  • Full Wipe: Overwrites all sectors, making recovery almost impossible.

For sensitive data, always go with a full wipe or secure erase.

Can You Wipe an SSD Without Affecting Its Lifespan?

Yes! Modern SSDs are designed for secure erase processes. Avoid repeatedly wiping it unnecessarily, but one or two wipes won’t harm the drive.

Final Thoughts

Wiping an SSD on Windows 11 is easier than you might think. Whether you use the built-in Reset feature, Command Prompt, or a manufacturer tool, you can securely erase your data in just a few steps.

Always remember: once wiped, recovery is almost impossible—so double-check your backups before you hit erase!

FAQs

1. Will formatting an SSD wipe it completely?
No, a simple quick format doesn’t fully erase data—it can still be recovered.

2. How long does wiping an SSD take?
Anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the method and drive size.

3. Is wiping the same as deleting?
No—deleting just removes file references, wiping overwrites the data.

4. Can I wipe an SSD that has Windows installed?
Yes, by using the Reset this PC option or a bootable secure erase tool.

5. Does wiping an SSD improve its speed?
Sometimes—it can help if the drive was cluttered or near full capacity.

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