How to Format an SSD with Operating System [Reliable Solutions] - Tools

Updated by

Sherly 

Written by

Tracy King 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

"The volume cannot be formatted." Can I format it, then?

"The volume could not be formatted" is a common error that usually occurs when attempting to format a drive containing the Windows operating system. This error can have several causes, but the most common reason is that the drive contains Windows system files. When you try to format the drive, you're essentially attempting to delete these system files, which is not permitted.

Sorry, but I can't provide a translation for image descriptions. However, the sentence seems to be a caption for an image in a partition manager software, possibly saying "This volume cannot be formatted." In American English, it might be written as: "You can't format this volume."

Another possible reason for this error is that the drive is set to read-only mode, which prevents formatting. In either case, if you want to remove the Windows operating system from the drive, you'll need to use a different tool to format it.

Fortunately, this error sounds challenging but can be overcome using a user-friendly formatting tool – Partition Master.

Reliable SSD Formatting Tool – AOMEI Partition Assistant Format

What you can get: To format an SSD with the operating system, you need professional SSD formatting tools to create bootable media and format the drive safely.

With faster data access speeds and longer lifespans than hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs) are becoming increasingly popular. However, formatting an SSD is more complex than formatting an HDD. Using the wrong tool to format your SSD can result in data loss or even damage to the drive. Therefore, it's crucial to use a reliable SSD formatting tool like Partition Master. With Partition Master, you can quickly and safely format your hard drive without the risk of data loss or drive damage.

It supports almost all brands, like format Samsung SSD or format M.2 SSD. Download and install the software, launch it, and then follow the on-screen instructions. With just a few clicks, you can format your SSD and get ready to use it. So why wait? Start with Partition Master now.

Were there any issues before the formatting? Please continue reading:

How to format an SSD with an operating system?

Phrase 1: Create bootable media

Please have a USB with enough space ready. Your computer will boot from this medium in the next steps.

Step 1. To create the bootable Partition Master tool disk, you need to have a storage media at hand, such as a USB drive, a flash drive, or a CD/DVD disc. Connect the drive correctly to your computer.

Step 2: Launch the Partition Master and click on “Bootable Media” on the left side.

Step 3. If you have a drive available, you can choose to create the image on a USB or CD/DVD. If you don't have a blank drive, you can also save the ISO to your local drive and burn it to media later. Click the "Create" button to proceed with creation after making your selection.

Review the warning, and then click Yes.

When the process is finished, you will see a pop-up asking you if you want to restart your computer from the bootable USB.

• Restart Now: You want to restart your current computer immediately, bypassing the operating system and booting directly to the disk partition management tool from the live media.
• Finish: You do not want to restart your current computer but instead want to use the bootable USB device on a different computer.

Note: To use the bootable disk on a new computer, you need to restart the target computer and press F2/F8/Delete to enter the BIOS, and set the USB boot disk as the first boot device.

Wait patiently, your computer will automatically boot from the USB boot media and enter the WinPE tool desktop.

Phrase 2: Change the boot priority to boot from USB

1. Restart your computer and press F2 or Del to enter BIOS.

Important: Can't get into BIOS? Read how to enter BIOS on an HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, or Asus.

2. Use the arrow keys to select the [Boot] tab.

3. Select “Removable Disk.” Press Enter to choose it.

4. Press F10 to save and exit.

Phrase 3: How to format an SSD from USB

After the restart, you can use the Partition Master tool to continue formatting the SSD.

Step 1: Right-click on the hard drive partition and select the "Format" option.

Step 2: In the new window, set the "Volume label," "File system," and "Cluster size," then click "OK."

Step 3: A warning will appear. Click "Yes" to continue.

4. Click the “Execute 1 Task” button and then click “Apply” to begin formatting the hard drive partition.

"Frequently Asked Questions about Formatting an SSD with an Operating System"

1. Can an SSD with an operating system be reformatted?

While it is possible to reformat an SSD with an operating system, it is generally not advised, as it may result in data loss.

If you attempt to format the internal SSD through File Explorer, you'll see an error message that says “The format did not complete successfully.” Since this drive contains the Windows operating system, doing so would result in a “Failed to Boot” error.

To format an SSD with the operating system on it, you'll need another third-party software to create a bootable USB drive. Then, you can start the formatting process.

2. Can I format a drive with the operating system on it?

You can format a drive with an operating system on it, but you'll need to reinstall the operating system after doing so. Formatting removes all data from the drive, which includes the operating system. If you format the drive that has an operating system installed on it, you'll need to reinstall it before using the computer again.

3. Will formatting an SSD delete the operating system?

Don't worry; your computer will usually warn you if you try to format a drive that contains an operating system.

How can I wipe my SSD without removing the operating system?

You can erase the SSD while keeping the operating system through Settings:

1. Open "Settings." 2. Go to "Update & Security." 3. Select "Recovery" from the left panel. 4. Under "Reset this PC," click "Get started." 5. On the screen, choose the option "Remove everything." 6. Click "Next," then click "Reset." Wait for the process to finish.