How to Format M.2 SSD? [Simple Steps]

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Tracy King 

Updated on April 22, 2024

Quick Navigation - Format M.2 SSD in 5 Ways

Ready to Format M.2 SSD?
How to Format M.2 SSD on a PC
Format M.2 SSD on Mac
Bonus Tip: How to Install M.2 SSD on Windows 10
Frequently Asked Questions About Formatting M.2 SSD

In this article, you will discover five methods to format an M.2 SSD. We also delve into selecting the appropriate format, the reasons for formatting an SSD, and the safety of formatting an M.2 SSD. If you're interested in understanding the context behind formatting an M.2 SSD, click here to learn more about the reasons. Let's first get a general understanding of how to format an M.2 SSD:

Alright, we'll learn how to format an M.2 SSD, starting from the simplest method to the most complex one.

How to Format M.2 SSD on a PC

We place the simple and free solution at the top spot. To swiftly format a new or used M.2 SSD, the tool Partition Master will accomplish the formatting with the following 4 methods.

Warning: Formatting will erase all data! Please double-check before proceeding.

Method 1: Formatting M.2 SSD using Partition Master Tool

tools Partition Master is a professional partition manager that can be utilized to format SSDs. It features an intuitive interface and is user-friendly. The software supports formatting SSDs with NTFS, FAT32, or EXT2/3/4 file systems. Moreover, it enables users to create bootable USB drives for operating systems.

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

Step 2. In the new window, set the Partition label, File system, and Cluster size for the partition, then click "OK".

Step 3. A warning window will appear; click "Yes" to proceed.

Step 4. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button, and then click "Apply" to start formatting the hard drive partition.

Also read: How to Format M.2 SSD in Windows 10

Method 2: Formatting New M.2 SSD Using Disk Management

Therefore, using third-party software is not an option for you. You'll need to format the M.2 SSD in Disk Management.

Important: If you want to clean an existing drive, skip the "initialize" steps and proceed directly to the "format" section.

1. To access Disk Management, right-click the Windows icon and select "Disk Management" from the menu.

Right-click on the unallocated space, and select "New Simple Volume" from the context menu to start the New Simple Volume Wizard.

2. Your drive will then appear as Unallocated space. Right-click on it and select "New Simple Volume."

3. On the New Simple Volume wizard, click "Next", adjust the volume size, and then click "Next".

4. Assign a drive letter and click "Next".

5. Choose "File System" and click "Next". After the formatting is complete, confirm the prompt message.

6. Click "Finish" to close Disk Management.

Return to the easy method?

Method 3: How to Format M.2 SSD using CMD

If you wish to format your M.2 SSD using CMD, you need to follow a few straightforward steps. Incidentally, you can click the buttons below to share with others how to format an M.2 SSD via CMD.

1. Open the Command Prompt by clicking on the Start menu and typing "cmd" into the search bar.

2. Once the Command Prompt window opens, type "diskpart" and press Enter. This will launch the DiskPart utility, which enables you to manage disks and partitions through the command line.

3. Enter the following commands:

These are commands for managing disks in the Windows Command Prompt. Here's the translation in English: 1. `list disk` 2. `select disk X` 3. `clean` 4. `create partition primary` 5. `format fs=ntfs quick` 6. `assign` Explanation of each command: - `list disk`: This command lists all the available disks on your system. - `select disk X`: Here, 'X' represents the disk number you want to work with. You replace 'X' with the actual disk number. - `clean`: This command deletes all data on the selected disk, preparing it for new use. - `create partition primary`: It creates a primary partition on the selected disk. - `format fs=ntfs quick`: This formats the newly created partition with the NTFS file system and does it quickly. - `assign`: This command assigns a drive letter to the formatted partition so that it can be accessed in File Explorer.

"x" represents the drive letter of your disk.

4. Once the formatting is complete, you can close the Command Prompt window and continue using your M.2 SSD as normal.  Back to the easy method?

"Do you need to format the USB drive?"

Method 4: How to Format M.2 SSD in BIOS

1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS (by pressing F2, F10, or DEL).

2. Proceed to the Security tab and click on Hard Drive Utilities.

3. Select Secure Erase.

4. Choose the drive you want to format.

5. Click "Continue" and begin the formatting process.

Return to the easy method?

Format M.2 SSD on Mac

M.2 SSDs are gaining popularity as storage devices owing to their compact size and rapid data transfer rates. If you've recently bought an M.2 SSD for your Mac, you might be wondering how to format it properly. This guide will outline the steps to format an M.2 SSD on a Mac, enabling you to start utilizing it promptly.

1. You'll need to use the Disk Utility app to format an M.2 SSD on a Mac.

2. To open Disk Utility, go to the Applications folder, click on the Utilities folder, and then double-click on Disk Utility.

3. Once Disk Utility is open, select the M.2 SSD that you wish to format from the list of drives on the left side of the window.

4. Next, click on the "Erase" button at the top of the window. In the "Name" field, type a name for your drive, and then choose "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" from the "Format" dropdown menu.

5. Finally, click the "Erase" button to format your M.2 SSD. Once the formatting process is complete, you'll be able to use your new drive!

We've covered how to format an M.2 SSD on both Windows and Mac computers. For beginners, Partition Master is a great option due to its user-friendly interface. If you have more computing experience, using the Command Prompt (CMD) can help you format the SSD efficiently. In case your PC fails to boot correctly, utilizing BIOS can be a solution. If you're a Mac user, simply refer to the instructions provided earlier.

Additionally, you can learn more about the context in the subsequent content.

Introduction to M.2 SSD Format

Why?

Why do you need to format your M.2 SSD? For instance, if you intend to sell or donate it, formatting is necessary to remove all your data from the drive. You should also format your M.2 SSD if it requires repair, as this might resolve performance problems. Lastly, when updating the firmware on your M.2 SSD, formatting is typically required beforehand.

In summary, there are several reasons why you might need to format an M.2 SSD:

- Choose a file system (NTFS or FAT32)

- To ensure compatibility with a specific operating system

- To erase personal data before selling or giving away the drive

- To address performance issues

- To update the firmware

Safe?

When you format your M.2 SSD, all the data stored on the drive will be deleted. Hence, it's crucial to back up any important data beforehand. Bear in mind that formatting the M.2 SSD will remove all existing data, so ensure you backup anything you wish to preserve!

Read on: What to Backup Before Formatting PC

Which format should I choose?

When formatting an M.2 SSD, you select a file system format that instructs the computer on how to store and arrange files on the drive. The most frequent file systems are NTFS and FAT32. Formatting your drive with NTFS allows you to store and access files larger than 4 GB. However, NTFS is not universally supported by all operating systems. Formatting with FAT32 ensures compatibility with all operating systems but restricts file size to 4 GB. It's essential to format your M.2 SSD using a file system compatible with the operating system you intend to utilize.

Bonus Tip: How to Install M.2 SSD in Windows 10

Follow the steps below to install a hard drive on a Windows computer. It's assumed that your M.2 SSD is compatible with your system.

1. Turn off your computer and disconnect all cables.

2. Open the computer case and locate the empty bay where you will install the hard drive.

3. Depending on the type of case, there might be a plastic cover that needs to be taken off to access the bay. If this is the case, remove the cover and set it aside.

4. Remove any screws securing the hard drive in position. If there are no screws, the hard drive is likely held in place by metal rails. In this scenario, gently slide the drive out of the rails.

5. Carefully insert the new hard drive into the bay, making sure it is correctly aligned and firmly secured.

6. Replace any screws or metal rails that were securing the old hard drive in position.

7. Close the case and reconnect all cables to your computer.

8. Turn on your computer and wait for it to start up.

If you'd like to know how to install Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD, please click the provided link:

How to Install Windows 10 on M.2 SSD

This guide offers a comprehensive solution for installing Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD. You'll find two efficient methods to install Windows 10 on M.2 without data loss.

How to Format M.2 SSD - Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have any other questions? See more:

Should I format the M.2 SSD before installing Windows?

The answer to this question varies based on personal preference. Some individuals format their M.2 SSD prior to installing Windows, whereas others do not. If you decide to format your M.2 SSD beforehand, you will start with a blank canvas. This allows you to select the file system, partition layout, and allocation size of your choice.

However, this also means that you'll need to reinstall all your programs and data. If you don't format your m.2 SSD before installing Windows, the setup process will format it automatically for you. While this can be convenient, it also means you'll have less control over the final configuration.

How do I format and install a new M.2 SSD?

Installing a new M.2 SSD can be a straightforward process, as long as you format and install it properly.

First, you'll need to format the new SSD using a disk utility. Next, physically install the SSD in your computer.

Once installed, restart your computer and open Disk Utility again. Select the new SSD as your boot drive, and then follow the on-screen instructions to format and install it. Lastly, transfer any data or programs you wish to preserve onto the new drive.

Yes, you can format an NVMe SSD. The process is similar to formatting any other type of SSD or hard drive. Here's a brief outline in English: 1. Connect the NVMe SSD to your computer, ensuring it's properly installed and recognized by the system. 2. Open "Disk Management" on your Windows computer (right-click on "This PC" or "My Computer," select "Manage," then choose "Disk Management"). 3. In the Disk Management window, locate your NVMe SSD. It should be listed as an "Unallocated" drive. 4. Right-click on the NVMe SSD and select "Format." 5. In the Format dialog box, choose the file system (e.g., NTFS for Windows, APFS for macOS), allocation unit size (usually default is fine), and give it a volume label if desired. 6. Check the "Quick Format" option, which formats the drive faster without checking for bad sectors. 7. Click "OK" to start the formatting process. A warning will appear, reminding you that formatting will erase all data. Confirm your choice. 8. Wait for the formatting to complete, which shouldn't take long due to the high speed of NVMe SSDs. Remember that formatting will erase all data on the drive, so ensure you have backups of important files before proceeding. The steps may differ slightly on macOS or other operating systems.

Yes, you can format an NVMe SSD. This can be done on Windows.

To format an NVMe SSD in Windows, you'll need to utilize the Disk Management utility. This tool is located within the Control Panel. After launching Disk Management, you should select the NVMe SSD you wish to format and then opt for the formatting option.