How To Format SSD From BIOS

Formatting the SSD from the BIOS is far more safe in comparison with the standard OS-based formatting strategies. 

This is as a result of BIOS-based formatting makes use of Secure Erase. This function points a Secure Erase ATA instruction to reset the SSD to a totally clear state.

Assuming your motherboard helps it, you’ll be able to use the Secure Erase function from the Advanced or Tools part of the BIOS.

Why Should You Use Secure Erase

SSDs use methods like put on leveling and overprovisioning to enhance their lifespan. The overprovisioned blocks (~10% of the full) aren’t often affected by regular format strategies. This means it is doable to recuperate knowledge from such blocks, even after an entire format.

If you’re solely formatting your SSD to unencumber house, you should utilize any technique you like. But if you happen to plan to promote the SSD, it’s necessary to make sure that the information is totally wiped. You wouldn’t need it to be recovered with out your information later.

The Secure Erase function within the BIOS works effectively for such functions.

But it additionally has a bunch of caveats. Here are an important ones to bear in mind:

1. Connect the SSD to your system by means of a SATA or NVMe interface. Don’t use a USB cable or RAID card.
2. With the latter interfaces, Secure Erase usually doesn’t detect the SSD.
3. Even whether it is detected, don’t erase the SSD by means of these interfaces. This can doubtlessly brick your SSD.
4. Not all BIOSes help Secure Erase. I examined 4 totally different boards for this text (MSI MAG B550M Mortar, ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming, Gigabyte B450 AORUS ELITE, and ASRock X370 Taichi). The first two supported it whereas the latter two didn’t.
5. Secure Erase isn’t often labeled on the specs web page or the handbook. So, you could discover your BIOS to examine if this function is supported.
6. Most fashionable SSDs are appropriate with Secure Erase. But it’s best to nonetheless confirm this as an incompatible SSD will doubtless get bricked. You can go to your system producer’s help web site to examine the listing of appropriate SSDs.
7. And lastly, don’t neglect to backup any necessary knowledge elsewhere earlier than you begin.

Enter the BIOS

I’m assuming you’ve already put in the SSD in your PC. Switch on or restart the system and press the BIOS Setup key proven on the display screen. This would be the Del key on most techniques.

If it doesn’t be just right for you, you’ll be able to confer with our BIOS entry information. It explains how to enter the BIOS on totally different techniques intimately.

Load the Secure Erase Utility

In the BIOS Setup Utility, it’s best to first make sure you’re in Advanced Mode. The key to modify (F7 in my case) ought to be labeled on the prime or backside of the display screen.

Explore the Boot, Advanced, Tools, and related tabs in Advanced Mode. Basically, look by means of sections containing storage-related choices to find the Secure Erase utility.

Once you discover it, accept the immediate to unfreeze the SSD and cargo the utility.

Format SSD with Secure Erase

The precise format course of is extraordinarily simple.

1. Identify the SSD to erase by means of it’s title, measurement, or related port.
2. Select it and accept the immediate to erase the SSD.
3. Once the method completes, your PC will restart.

Using Secure Erase Outside the BIOS

If wish to wipe your SSD with out using the BIOS Secure Erase utility, you will have just a few choices. Tools like diskpart, dd, or DBAN are well-liked.

For Secure Erase-based strategies, you’ve received OEM utilities like Samsung SSD Magician or Western Digital Dashboard. And you’ve received CLI instruments like hdparm.

All of those have their very own limitations. The fundamental potential disadvantage is that you could possibly completely password-lock your device. This occurs (fairly usually) as a result of customers don’t set a drive password beforehand. 

My level right here is that it’s best to totally analysis whichever technique you propose to make use of and observe the correct steps. It’s no enjoyable shedding your completely advantageous SSD since you forgot to carry out some obscure step.