How to Wipe an SSD Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide to Securely Erase Data

If you’re planning to sell, recycle, or repurpose your SSD, it’s crucial to wipe it securely. Unlike traditional hard drives, SSDs store data differently, which means simple formatting may not completely erase sensitive information. In this guide, we’ll show you how to wipe an SSD in Windows 10 safely and effectively, step by step.

Table of Contents

Why You Should Securely Wipe an SSD

SSDs use a technology called TRIM, which affects how data is stored and deleted. Standard formatting or deleting files doesn’t always remove all traces of data. A secure wipe ensures:

Personal information is completely erased
SSD is ready for resale or reuse
Avoid potential data breaches or identity theft

Step 1: Backup Important Data

Before wiping your SSD, make sure you backup any files you want to keep. Once the drive is wiped, data cannot be recovered. Use:

An external hard drive
Cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox)

Step 2: Check Your SSD Manufacturer’s Tool

Many SSD brands provide dedicated tools to securely erase their drives. These tools often perform a hardware-level erase, which is faster and safer for SSDs. Examples:

Samsung Magician (Samsung SSDs)
Crucial Storage Executive (Crucial SSDs)
SanDisk SSD Dashboard (SanDisk SSDs)

Steps typically involve:

Downloading the tool from the manufacturer’s website.
Connecting your SSD to the computer.
Using the “Secure Erase” or “Sanitize” option to wipe all data.

Step 3: Using Windows 10 to Wipe an SSD

If you don’t have a manufacturer tool, you can use Windows 10 built-in features, although this method may not be as thorough as a hardware-level wipe.

Option 1: Reset PC with SSD Wipe

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to Update & Security > Recovery.
Click Get Started under “Reset this PC.”
Choose Remove everything.
Click Change settings and enable Data erasure (this performs a full wipe).
Click Next > Reset.

This method securely deletes your SSD’s content while keeping Windows 10 ready to reinstall.

Option 2: DiskPart (Advanced Users)

Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
Type diskpart and press Enter.
Enter list disk to see all drives.
Identify your SSD, then type select disk X (replace X with your SSD number).
Type clean all and press Enter.

⚠ Warning: This method erases everything permanently, including the OS. Only use if you boot from another drive or USB.

Step 4: Verify the Wipe

After wiping, check your SSD:

Open This PC to see if the drive is empty.
Use disk management tools to confirm no partitions or data remain.
Optionally, use a data recovery tool to confirm data cannot be recovered.

Step 5: Reinstall Windows (Optional)

If you plan to continue using the SSD:

Create a bootable Windows 10 USB drive.
Boot from USB and install Windows on your freshly wiped SSD.

This ensures a clean, fully secure system ready for use.

Final Tips

Always use the manufacturer’s tool for the safest and fastest SSD wipe.
Avoid using traditional HDD wiping tools—they may reduce the lifespan of your SSD.
Do not skip backups—data recovery after a secure wipe is impossible.
For maximum security, consider encrypting the SSD before wiping, especially if sensitive data is involved.

By following this guide, you can completely and securely erase your SSD on Windows 10, ensuring your personal data is safe and your drive is ready for reuse or resale.