How to Low Level Format SSD Easily and Safely on Windows

Performing an SSD low-level format makes it easy to erase all data from the SSD and enhances the performance of the SSD. In this article, we will introduce the best SSD low-level format tool and learn how to perform low-level formatting! But before we start, let's understand the SSD low-level format first.

▶ What is low-level format SSD?

Format disk partition is the operation of initializing a disk or disk partition. Formatting can delete all files in an existing disk or partition. Formatting is divided into the low-level format and high-level format.

◥ The high-level format(HLF): refers to reformatting each partition after the hard disk is partitioned. Just clear the data on the partition, generate boot information, initialize the FAT table, mark logical bad sectors, etc. The format we usually talk about is the high-level format.

◥ The low-level format (LLF): refers to the hard disk is divided into cylinders and tracks, and then divides the tracks into several sectors. Each sector is divided into identification part ID, interval area, GAP, and data area DATA. The low-level format is a necessary prerequisite for the high-level format. Each SSD and HDD has been low-level formatted before leaving the factory.

So a low-level formatting of the SSD is to restore the SSD to its factory state and provide optimal speed and efficiency for data storage and retrieval. Since the way of writing data on SSD is completely different from that on HDD, you cannot use the "zero fillings" method for low-level format. Secure Erase is a low-level format method for SSDs, which ensures that all data stored on the SSD storage device is cleaned up, to restore SSD performance.

How to low-level format SSD on Windows

Here, I will introduce to you an effective tool for securely erasing SSD. AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is an excellent third-party utility without any bundled software, suitable for various brands of SSD. It is loved by users in the market for its simple operation and powerful functions. 

Warning: Connect the SSD to the Windows 7 PC through the SATA port. To ensure that the erasing process goes smoothly, you cannot connect through the USB port because there may be problems.

Step 1. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. In the interface of AOMEI Partition Assistant, click "Wipe" > "SSD Secure Erase".

Step 2. Select the SSD that you want to securely erase and click "Next".

Step 3. Double-check the SSD identification information in case of erasing the wrong SSD because the data is unrecoverable after the Erase. Now, you will see the SSD is in a frozen state. To continue, you need to perform a hot-swap.

Sometimes, Secure Erase SSD requires hot-swapping the drive to unlock it from the frozen state.

★ To perform Hot Swap
1. Open computer case, rear cover or drive shell and find out the SSD you’ll erase.
2. Unplug the power cable and then disconnect the SATA data cable from SSD.
3. After a few seconds, reconnect the SATA cable to the SATA port and then plug the power cable back to complete the hot-swap.

Step 4. Click "Next" to start the SSD Secure Erase.

After the secure erase process is complete, you will see the SSD shown as a block of unallocated space. Besides, it also allows erasing C drive if you need.

Why do you need to low-level format SSD?

Generally, if you want to perform low-level format operations on SSD, it means that your SSD has the following conditions:

✦ As time goes by, the performance of SSD will be greatly reduced. If you want to restore it to its peak performance, you can perform low-level format on it.
✦ You can also perform low format SSD if you need to reinstall Windows. Because the regular format cannot really clean it, and it will actually damage the lifespan.
✦ In order to protect personal privacy, you need to delete all data from it without recovery.

Conclusion

If you have read my above description carefully, I believe you have a clearer understanding of how to low-level format SSD. Especially with the help of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, you can easily low-level format SSD with a few clicks.

Last but not least, there are more advanced functions you can try, such as, recover deleted files, transfer OS to SSD, move installed programs to SSD, convert MBR to GPT, clone larger HDD to smaller SSD, and so on.