How to Wipe NVMe and M.2 Drive? Secure Ways

Outline – This write-up thoroughly overviews how to wipe NVMe and M.2 Drive and explains why it is important. It addresses the methods to erase data securely.

SSDs are a convenient way of storing and transferring data, as a result, we use them in our daily lives. NVMe and M.2 drives are popular amongst users who value high performance. However, there are times when users face difficulties in clearing out crucial information from these drives. Simply deleting data is not sufficient as it can be recovered using advanced tools and software.

To securely delete data from NVMe or M.2 drive, one should format the entire drive using the manual methods mentioned below. Although to completely wipe data from an M.2 or NVMe, you can use the best tool discussed in the forthcoming section.

 

What Does NVMe and M.2 Mean?

NVMe represents Non-Volatile Memory global exchange, and also it utilizes the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) interface a complete TCP/ IP stack from its driver. NVMe offers a faster speed of data transfer and low latency when compared to SATA protocols. It supports multiple parallel queues and numerous commands per queue, which helps in better multitasking and data-intensive applications. It is mostly used for gaming and content creation.

M.2 is another small storage device and this is for NVMe and SATA SSDs. Nowadays laptops and desktop systems are widely used for notebooks instead of outdated mSATA standards because of their small size. M.2 directly connects to the motherboard via PCIe or SATA interface and offers good performance.

In the upcoming sections, we will thoroughly overview the methods of wiping data from NVMe and M.2 drives, but before that, let us take a glimpse of the benefits of clearing data from the drives.

Benefits to Wipe NVMe and M.2 Drive

Completely erasing NVMe and M.2 drives can offer several advantages, particularly in terms of data security, performance maintenance, and drive longevity. Here are some of the key ones-

• Prevent Data Recovery- Erasing ensures that unauthorized parties cannot retrieve your sensitive information.
• Secure Disposal or Reuse- It guarantees that no residual data is left in case of reusing or disposing.
• Restore Performance- When you format an SSD completely, the performance levels increase as it removes the data fragments.
• Remove Corrupted Files and Malware- Formatting eliminates malware and files that may hinder performance.
• Life Span- Wiping out data increases the life span of the SSD.

NVMe vs M.2 – Comparison

M.2 and NVMe are pivotal gadgets in the modern age of data storage solutions. NVMe, a protocol designed for high-speed data transfer, and M.2, a form factor for solid-state drives (SSDs). As data demands surge, understanding their differences becomes crucial for optimizing system builds. So, let’s find out from the following:

Feature	NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express)	M.2
Interface	PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)	Multiple: SATA, PCIe
Speed	Higher (up to 7,000 MB/s or more)	Varies: SATA (up to 600 MB/s), PCIe (up to 7,000 MB/s)
Protocol	NVMe	AHCI (for SATA), NVMe (for PCIe)
Form Factor	Not defined by form factor; can be various sizes	Compact form factor (22mm wide, various lengths)
Latency	Lower Latency	Depends on the interface (SATA higher, PCIe lower)
Power Consumption	Typically higher	Typically lower
Compatibility	Requires NVMe-compatible motherboard	Depends on the interface; SATA is widely compatible
Usage	High-performance computing, gaming, data centers	Consumer laptops, desktops, and some servers
Heat Generation	Can generate more heat due to high-speed	Varies; SATA generates less heat than PCIe NVMe
Cost	Generally more expensive	Varies; SATA is cheaper than PCIe NVMe
Bandwidth	Higher bandwidth (up to 16 GB/s in PCIe 4.0)	Limited by interface; SATA (6 Gb/s), PCIe (up to 16 GB/s)
Installation	Requires a slot compatible with NVMe (usually M.2 or PCIe)	Fits into the M.2 slot; compatibility depends on the interface
Typical Applications	Servers, workstations, high-end gaming PCs	Consumer PCs, ultrabooks, tablets

How to Wipe NVMe and M.2 Drive? All Inclusive

Here, we will take a closer look at the various methods that can be used to entirely erase NVMe and M.2 drives. That is using,

• Windows Disk Management
• Diskpart Utility
• Windows PowerShell
• WinRE
• Format and reset settings

Method 1- Using Windows Disk Management

Users can use this built-in tool offered by Microsoft to clean up their SSD, follow the steps given below to proceed.

Step 1. On your Windows home screen, press Win + X and select Disk Management.

Step 2. Locate the NVMe or M.2 Drive you want to wipe.

Step 3. Right-click on the drive and select Delete Volume for each partition on the Drive.

Step 4. After the partitions are deleted, right-click again and select New Simple Volume to create a new partition and format it.

Method 2- Wipe NVMe and M.2 Drives Using Diskpart Utility 

Diskpart is a command-line utility in Windows for managing disk partitions, allowing tasks like creating, deleting, and resizing partitions. We can clear out data using this utility. Follow the steps to proceed.

Step 1. On the Windows search bar, search Command Prompt and Run it as Administrator.

Step 2. Type diskpart and press Enter.

Step 3. After that, type list disk and press Enter. The Command prompt will show the list of Drives and Devices.

Step 4. Navigate to your Drive and write it in the following manner. Then, press Enter.

Select disk A (Where A is the actual disk number of the NVMe or M.2 Drive)

Step 5. Now type clean and press Enter.

The process will start and it may take a moment to complete. Once it is completed, All the data from the Drive will be cleared.

Method 3- Using Windows PowerShell to Clear Data

Users can use Windows PowerShell to clear the Drive data effectively. Follow the guide given below.

Step 1. On the search bar, search for Windows PowerShell and open it as Administrator.

Step 2. Type Get-Disk to get the list of all the drives.

Step 3. Identify the drive number for your NVMe or M.2 drive.

Step 4. Type Clean-Disk -Number X -RemoveData (Replace X with the number of your Drive) and press Enter.

Step 5. Confirm the action when prompted.

Your Drive’s data will be permanently deleted.

Method 4- Wipe M.2 and NVMe Drive via Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

The Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is a powerful in-built Windows recovery platform. Specifically, designed to help troubleshoot and repair common issues. It can be used to clean drive memory. Follow the steps given below.

Step 1 – Accessing Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

• Go to Settings.
• Navigate to Update and Security.
• Click on Recovery.
• Under the Advanced Startup section, click Restart Now.

Step 2 – Entering WinRE

Your PC will restart and boot into the Windows Recovery Environment.

Step 3 – Navigating in WinRE

• In the WinRE menu, select Troubleshoot.
• Click on Advanced Options.

Step 4 – Opening Command Prompt

• Select Command Prompt from the Advanced Options menu.

A command-line interface will appear.

Step 5 – Using Diskpart to Clean the Drive

• In the CMD window, type diskpart. Then, press Enter to open the Diskpart utility.
• List all the disks by typing list disk and pressing Enter.
• Identify the disk number of the NVMe or M.2 drive you want to wipe.
• Select the disk by typing select disk X (replace X with the appropriate disk number) and press Enter.
• Clean the drive by typing clean and pressing Enter. This will remove all partitions and data from the selected disk.

Optional Step – Creating and Formatting a New Partition

• To create a new partition, type create partition primary and press Enter.
• To format the new partition, type format fs=ntfs quick and press Enter.

Note: Make sure that the NVMe or M.2 drive is not being used by the operating system or other critical processes during this operation.

Method 5- Wipe NVMe and M.2 Drive Using Format and Reset From Settings

Format and Reset option from Windows settings is a simple method to remove all files and completely erase your NVMe or M.2 drive. This method is useful for users who want to reset their PC to its factory settings or prepare the drive for a new installation. Use the steps to proceed.

1– Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings.

2– Navigate to Recovery.

3– Under the Reset this PC section, click on the Reset PC button.

4– Select Remove Everything to delete all your files, apps, and settings.

5– Choose to Remove files and clean the drive to ensure that the drive is wiped thoroughly.

To complete the Reset, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Your PC may restart several times and once finished, Windows will be reinstalled.

Drawbacks of the Methods Mentioned Above

While the above methods for wiping NVMe and M.2 drives are effective, they do come with certain limitations.

• Partial Data Removal- Most tools do not perform secure erase functions that overwrite data multiple times. This leaves chances of data recovery using advanced tools.
• Complexity- Tools like Diskpart and Powershell are complex for users who are not familiar with command-line interfaces. This can be confusing and eventually increases the risk of error.
• Accidental Data Loss- Incorrect use of these tools can lead to unintended data loss, especially if the wrong drive is selected.
• Time-consuming- Some methods take a lot of time to complete as it is very lengthy.

To skip these drawbacks, you can use our expert-recommended Professional solution to wipe NVMe and M.2 Drive.

Key Takeaways

In summary, it is essential to wipe NVMe and M.2 drive for data security, performance, and longevity. The manual methods mentioned in the write-up are effective but have certain limitations. To overcome these drawbacks, we recommend you use our above-mentioned professional tool. This powerful utility offers advanced features that ensure complete data destruction. This software guarantees that all data is securely erased, preventing data recovery and maintaining the drive’s performance.