How to Format M.2 SSD in Windows 10 [Step-by-Step Guide]

Updated by

Linda 

Updated on April 23, 2024

Have you decided to format your M.2 SSD to boost its performance or because you're planning to switch to a more recent file system, like exFAT, for your Windows 10 PC? Whatever the motive, there are several approaches you can take. Keep reading this article, as tools will guide you through formatting your M.2 SSD in Windows 10 and the various methods available for doing so.

How to Format an M.2 SSD in Windows 10 - 3 Methods

There are three different methods to format an M.2 SSD in Windows 10. All of them are straightforward and can be done quickly. This article provides a comprehensive overview of each method to help you choose the one that suits you best and format your M.2 SSD efficiently.

Way 1: Format M.2 SSD in Windows 10 using Partition Master Tool

If you're formatting your drive to change the file system, consider using the Partition Master tool. It's a comprehensive partition management software that enables you to effectively and successfully format your M.2 SSD from NTFS to FAT32 or exFAT. Utilizing its powerful "Partition Manager" feature, you can format your M.2 SSD in just four simple steps. Give it a try today to quickly format your SSD!

Rapid steps to format M.2 SSD in Windows 10 using Partition Master tools:

Step 1. Launch tools Partition Master, right-click the partition on your external hard drive/USB/SD card which you want to format and choose the "Format" option.

Step 2. Assign a new partition label, file system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and cluster size to the selected partition, then click "OK".

Step 3. In the Warning window, click "Yes" to continue.

Step 4. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button in the upper-left corner to review the changes, and then click "Apply" to begin formatting your external hard drive, USB, or SD card.

tools Partition Master is a versatile tool for disk management beyond SSD formatting. This software enables you to perform the following operations:

Translate the following into English:
• Solve the issue of M.2 SSD not showing up in Windows 11.
• Test the speed of M.2 SSD on Windows.
• Install Windows 10 on M.2 SSD.
• M.2 Temperature Monitor: This software allows you to monitor the temperature of your M.2 SSD.
• Conveniently check the performance of M.2 SSD.

Method 2: Formatting an M.2 SSD in Windows 10 using Disk Management

You can view, create, and manage the disk drives installed on your computer using the Disk Management utility in Windows. Here's how to use it to format your M.2 SSD: 1. **Access Disk Management:** - Press `Win + X` on your keyboard and choose "Disk Management" from the menu that appears. - Alternatively, right-click the Start button, select "Disk Management," or search for "Create and format hard disk partitions" in the Start menu. 2. **Find your M.2 SSD:** - In the Disk Management window, locate your M.2 SSD. It should be listed under "Disks" on the left side, with corresponding partitions (if any) displayed on the right side as "Volume." 3. **Initialize the Disk:** - If the M.2 SSD is not initialized, right-click on it and select "Initialize Disk." Choose the appropriate partition style (MBR for older systems or GPT for UEFI-based systems) and click "OK." 4. **Create a New Partition:** - Right-click on the unallocated space of the initialized SSD and choose "New Simple Volume." - Follow the New Simple Volume Wizard, accepting the default settings, and assign a drive letter if necessary. 5. **Format the Partition:** - Right-click on the newly created partition and select "Format." - In the Format dialog box: - Choose the file system you want (usually NTFS for general use). - Set the allocation unit size to default. - Optionally, provide a volume label for the drive. - Check the "Quick Format" option. - Click "OK" to start the formatting process. 6. **Wait for Formatting to Complete:** - The formatting may take a few minutes, depending on the size of the SSD. Do not interrupt the process. 7. **Confirm and Verify:** - Once completed, the drive should be formatted and ready for use. Double-check that the new drive letter and file system are correct. That's it! Your M.2 SSD is now formatted and prepared for usage.

Step 1. Right-click on the "Start" option and select "Disk Management."

Click the Start button, type "diskmgmt.msc" in the search box and press Enter.

Step 2. Choose the SSD you wish to format. Right-click on it and select "Format."

Step 3. Choose the file system you want to format your M.2 SSD to by clicking on the "File system" dropdown.

Change file system to

Step 4. Click on "OK."

Step 5. A pop-up box will appear. Click on "OK."

If the format option in Disk Management is grayed out, you can refer to the following reliable methods to resolve this issue:

How to Fix Disk Management Format Option Greyed Out in Windows 11/10/8/7

This article will guide you through three effective methods to repair the grayed-out format option in Disk Management on your Windows PC.

Method 3: Format M.2 SSD via CMD/BIOS in Windows 10

You can also format your M.2 SSD using the Command Prompt. This method is helpful if your SSD is crashing or not booting Windows properly. To do this, you can access the Command Prompt from the BIOS menu and format your M.2 SSD to restore its functionality.

Here's how to translate them into English:

Step 1. In the BIOS, boot your computer from the Windows 10 installation media. Click "Next" in the setup window.

Step 2. Select the "Repair your computer" and "Troubleshoot" options.

Step 3. In the next window, select "Command Prompt" where you can type the following CMD:

• diskpart
• list volume
• select volume P (replace P with the number of your SSD drive you want to format.)
• format fs=ntfs quick label=test (You can replace "ntfs" with any file system you intend to format.) 
Translation:
• diskpart
• list volume
• select volume P (replace P with the number corresponding to the SSD drive you wish to format.)
• format fs=ntfs quick label=test (You can substitute "ntfs" with any file system you plan to format.) 

Step 4. Finally, type and enter exit to close the program.

For more solutions to format a hard drive from BIOS, click the link below:

How to Format Hard Drive from BIOS in Windows 10

This guide offers three comprehensive methods to format hard drives from BIOS in Windows 10, including using Partition Master, Command Prompt, and formatting during Windows installation.

This passage outlines three efficient methods for formatting an M.2 SSD. Feel free to share it on your social media platforms to assist more users facing similar issues:

"When Should I Format M.2 SSD in Windows 10?"

There are several reasons why you might consider formatting your M.2 SSD. Some important reasons include:

Here are the translations in English:
• Improving performance or resolving issues: An SSD can become slower over time due to temporary files or disk fragmentation. Formatting the drive erases everything and restores its performance.
• Changing the file system: Another reason to format your M.2 SSD is if you intend to switch the file system. Different file systems have their advantages and disadvantages. If you wish to change your drive's current file system to a different one, formatting is necessary.
• Reusing a used M.2 SSD: If you've purchased a used M.2 SSD, it's advisable to format it. This ensures that any potential viruses or malware present on the drive won't compromise your computer's security and functionality. Formatting the SSD eliminates all previous data and makes it safe for reuse.

Conclusion

Whether you're dealing with an issue on your M.2 SSD, experiencing slowdowns over time, or buying or selling the SSD, there comes a point when you need to format it. If your objective is simply to change the file system on your SSD, using tools like Partition Master allows you to do so without formatting, thereby preserving your important files and saving a significant amount of time. It serves as a comprehensive solution for all your SSD needs. Alternatively, you can format your SSD through Disk Management or the command prompt, though these methods might be less advanced and user-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Formatting an M.2 SSD in Windows 10

Do you have any other queries regarding formatting an M.2 SSD on Windows 10? In this segment, we address a few frequently asked questions.

< strong >1. Should I format the M.2 SSD before installing Windows 10?

It's recommended to format your M.2 SSD before installing Windows. This way, you can optimize its performance and choose the file system in advance. Otherwise, if you want to change the file system later, you'll need to reformat the SSD and reinstall Windows. After that, you can proceed to install Windows 10 on SSD.

You can use tools like Partition Master to format your M.2 drive to NTFS, or you can also utilize Disk Management or the command prompt for this purpose. As demonstrated in our solutions above for formatting an SSD, make sure to choose NTFS instead of a different file system.

3. How to format a new SSD from the BIOS in Windows 10?

Here's how to format a new SSD from the BIOS: 1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup by pressing the designated key during startup. This key is usually F2, F10, Del, or Esc; it may vary depending on your system manufacturer. 2. Once in the BIOS, navigate to the "Boot" or "Startup" menu. This is where you can manage the boot order of your devices. 3. Look for an option called "UEFI Boot," "Boot Mode," or something similar. Ensure that it is set to "UEFI" mode, as this is often required for SSDs. 4. Next, locate the "Utilities" or "Tools" section. Here, you might find an option like "Disk Management," "Storage Configuration," or "Drive Options." 5. Select the SSD you want to format. It should be listed as an available storage device. Be cautious not to choose the wrong drive, as formatting will erase all data. 6. Choose the "Format" or "Initialize" option. A warning message will likely appear, reminding you that formatting will delete all data on the drive. Confirm your choice to proceed. 7. Select the file system you want to use, such as "NTFS" for Windows or "APFS" for macOS. You may also choose the allocation unit size, but the default is usually suitable. 8. Finally, confirm the formatting process. The SSD will now be formatted, which could take a few minutes depending on its size. 9. After formatting, exit the BIOS and save the changes. Your computer will restart, and you can then proceed with installing your operating system on the freshly formatted SSD. Remember that these steps may differ slightly depending on your specific BIOS version and computer model. Always refer to your computer's user manual for precise instructions.

Step 1. Boot your computer using the Windows 10 installation media in the BIOS. In the setup window, click "Next."

Step 2. Look for "Repair your computer" and select "Troubleshoot."

Step 3. In the subsequent menu, select "Command Prompt." Type and enter the following commands individually:

• list disk
• select disk X (replace X with the disk number you want to format.)
• clean
• create partition primary
• format fs=ntfs quick
• assign
Translation:
• list disk
• select disk X (replace X with the disk number you wish to format.)
• clean
• create partition primary
• format fs=ntfs quick
• assign

That's it! Your SSD is now formatted with the NTFS file system.