How to Wipe SSD from BIOS: Ensuring Complete Data Erasure

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Written By Chirag Arora
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh  
Published On June 20th, 2024
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

Deeply, deleting all the data on your Solid State Drive (SSD) is a very difficult task for several computer users. Whether you are attempting to sell your device, aiming to enhance its performance, or troubleshooting, wiping your SSD from the BIOS offers a reliable solution. In this article, we will cover how to properly wipe SSD from BIOS with the right precautions and guaranteed steps to achieve a secure wipe.

Reasons to Erase SSD from BIOS?

There are several reasons to wipe SSD from BIOS: Certainly!

  • Resale or Recycling- Before selling, donating, or recycling your computer or SSD, wiping out all the data which ensures that the new owner or recycling facility cannot use or access your old data.
  • Performance re-establishment- Over a period of time, SSDs store some temporary files which is of no need that can slow down performance. Wiping the SSD and restoring your device can help you to increase the speed as if it is a new device.
  • Resolving System Errors- Wiping out SSD and re-installing the OS can fix software problems like often crashes, freezes, and other problems that don’t go away with troubleshooting settings.
  • Change OS- Wiping the SSD guarantees a clean installation free of any footprint or conflicts from the previous OS that gives the guarantee of smooth interchange between OS.
  • Security- Wiping all the SSD data assures that your sensitive and private information cannot be retrieved before you sell or dispose of your computer.

Precautions Before Format SSD from BIOS

Before wipe SSD from BIOS we should take these 2 precautions:

  1. Backup Data: Make sure all backups of all the important files before wiping the SSD.
  2. Power Supply: To prevent disruptions throughout the procedure, confirm that your device is plugged into the power source.

Method 1: Erase SSD from BIOS

Format SSD from BIOS with the right precautions and guaranteed steps to achieve a secure wipe.

  • Start your device by powering the ON button.
  • During the power-on process, press the BIOS key (F2, F10, F12, Delete, or Esc) repeatedly unless the BIOS/UEFI menu will open.
  • Use the arrow keys, and go to the ‘Security’ tab. Look for an option labeled
  • Look for an option named ‘Secure Erase’ ,‘Secure Wipe,’ or something similar.
  • Next, choose the SSD you want to wipe from the list.
  • Then, follow the instructions to confirm the drive selection.
  • Commence the secure deleting procedure. Confirm the process by typing YES or selecting OK.
  • The device will start the procedure of overwriting all data on the SSD.
  • After all the process is done, save all the modifications and close the BIOS/UEFI.
  • Your system will reactivate, and the SSD will be completely clean and prepared for a new installation of OS.

Note- These steps are different for every PC device like HP, Dell, ASUS, Lenovo, Acer, etc. to wipe SSD from BIOS.

Method 2: How to Wipe SSD using CMD

If your device doesn’t boot or is stuck at the time of power ON then you can use the Command Prompt (CMD) method to format SSD. Using Windows’ diskpart program is needed to wipe an SSD through the Command Prompt. Here are the step-by-step guide on how to wipe SSD using CMD:

Steps to wipe SSD using CMD

  • Launch the Command Prompt (CMD) by pressing “Win+R”  or PowerShell as Administrator Mode by pressing “Win + X”

Open Cmd

  • Open the Diskpart Utility by typing diskpart

diskpart

  • Press Enter after typing the list disk into Diskpart. This cmd will list the drives or disks that are interconnected to your device.

list

  • Check the drive sizes to determine which SSD is yours from the list and write down the SSD’s disk number for example(Disk 1/Disk 2).

open list

  • Enter “clean” and press Enter to erase the drive or disk partition and data completely.

process completed

  • Press Enter after typing exit to get out of Diskpart.
  • Get the Command Prompt window closed.
  • Copy this code to perform wipe SSD using cmd

diskpart

list disk

select disk X (Replace X with your SSD’s disk number)

clean (Use ‘clean all’ for a more secure wipe)

exit

Drawbacks of the Manual Solution for Format SSD from BIOS

Wipe SSD from BIOS is a viable method for securely erasing data, There are multiple limitations of the above method that users should be aware of:

  • Without the technical expertise, accessing to BIOS/UEFI interface might be a difficult task. A misstep can change important system configurations.
  • Unintentional disruptions or power outages at the time of the wiping process may leave data that requires the procedure to start from the beginning.
  • There are no Mechanisms for confirming that the data has been safely deleted in Bios-based wiping.
  • Bios-based wiping aims at the completed drive and there is no option to remove from particular partitions, files, or folders.
  • Due to the chance of human mistakes in ( BIOS-based-wiping), data loss from unintentional devices may occur if the incorrect drive is selected for erase.

Wipe SSD from BIOS using the Expert Solution

SysTools Data Wipe is a powerful tool for wiping SSD that includes SAS SSD, SED NVMe, etc. Hard disks, PCs, and laptops are all wiped out by this software easily. This tool has multiple effective features that can overwrite the files and ensure there is no option for data recovery.

Key Features of the Expert Solution

  • Ensure that all data residue and classified data leaks are successfully erased and also prevent any possibility of data retrieval.
  • You may ensure targeted data destruction by using the fast selection tool to burn off traces of particular files and folders.
  • Removes all remnants of an application, including caches, logs, temporary files, recent file lists, and other traces.
  • Create reports that provide verifiable evidence of data sanitization after the audit trail is finished.
  • Perform comprehensive data sanitization in order to get computers ready for disposal or repurposing (decommissioning), making sure that all organizational and regulatory requirements are met.
  • Ensures compliance with strict data protection laws by adhering to more than 20 global standards, including NIST, ISO, DoD, and others.
  • Replace all of your data using a variety of advanced erase techniques, including military-grade standards like
    • US DoD/US Air Force (3 Passes)
    • Russian GOST-R-50739-95 (2 Passes)
    • British HMG IS5 (3 Passes)
    • Peter Gutmann (35 Passes)
  • Both 32-bit and 64-bit OS are supported that ensures consistency with a wide range of systems and configurations.

Conclusion

In this article, we discuss wipe SSD from bios and the reasons to erase SSD . To guarantee that all data is erased of SSD via the BIOS is a dependable and efficient method. Wiping your SSD in the right manner gives you a fresh start to safeguard your private data, This process is easily done through a professional solution that offers advanced features and with international data protection regulations. It’s possible to get a safe and clean SSD by taking the right safety measures and using the correct approach.

FAQ: Wipe SSD from BIOS

Q1. How does erase SSD from BIOS improve the system performance?

Ans. Over a period of time, SSDs can collect temporary file data that may decrease the system’s performance. Wiping the SSD deletes these unused files that restore the speed like taking the new device.

Q2. What are the advantages of using advanced overwrite methods like those provided by expert solutions?

Ans. Advanced overwrite methods guarantee that data is removed completely and prevent from data recovery. This method matches the military and global standards for data destruction that provides extra security for sensitive information.

Q3. Is a professional solution compatible with both 32 bit and 64 bit OS?

Ans. Yes, expert solutions support both 32 bit and 64 bit OS that ensure compatibility with various systems.

Read More – Delete Digital Footprint to Protect Confidential Data (12 Ways)

  author

By Chirag Arora

Having around 9+ years of experience in technical writing. Knows about the core technical areas. Also, provides easy and reliable solutions to resolve difficulties faced by users while working with different platforms.