How Do I Format an SSD in Windows 10?

There are two ways to format an SSD on Windows 10.

The easiest is to right-tap the drive in File Manager and select Format.

Create and format hard disk partitions highlighted in Windows taskbar search.

In that case, you better format the drive using Disk Management.

Typediskmgmt.mscin the taskbar search box, pressEnter, then selectCreate and format hard disk partitions.

Right-clickthe drive you want to format, and clickFormat.

Format highlighted in Disk management.

In that case,partition your new drivebefore returning to these instructions.

Next toVolume Label, enter a name for the drive.

In the file system box, selectNTFS.

Volume label SSD highlighted in the windows 10 format menu.

NTFSis the best option for Windows PCs.

If you’re gonna wanna use your drive on both Windows and macOS, chooseexFat.

In the allocation unit size box, selectDefault.

NTFS highlighted in the windows 10 formatting options.

Remove the checkmark fromPerform a quick format, and clickOK.

ensure youve selected the correct drive, and clickOK.

This is your last chance to ensure you dont format the wrong drive.

Default highlighted in Windows 10 formatting options.

Windows will format your SSD.

How Do I Format an SSD in macOS?

You format SSD drives on macOS through the Disk Utility app.

Perform a quick format highlighted in Windows 10 formatting options.

Heres how to format an SSD on macOS:

OpenDisk Utility, and click theSSDyou want to format.

Access Disk Utility by searching withSpotlight, or navigate toApplications>Utilities>Disk Utility.

Enter a name for the drive.

OK highlighted in the Windows 10 formatting warning message box.

Select a file system.

Do you’re gonna wanna Format a New SSD?

Whether or not you gotta format a new SSD depends on a handful of factors.

New Volume highlighted in Disk Utility on Mac.

If the drive isnt formatted at all, then you better format it.

If the drive is formatted with the file system you want, then formatting is optional.

Internal SSDs are typically unformatted, while external SSDs are usually already formatted when you buy them.

Erase highlighted in macOS Disk Utility.

However, the drive may not be formatted with the correct file system.

It contains the version of Windows you are using.

Formatting this volume could cause your machine to stop working."

Name: SSD highlighted in macOS formatting options.

Formatting an SSD uses the same process in Windows 7, 8, and 10 (described above).

First, openDisk Management, right-click theSSD, and selectFormat, then follow the prompts.

macOS file systems options highlighted in formatting options.

Erase highlighted in macOS formatting options.