SSD is the short form of Solid-state drive. The first-generation computers used SSD computers to store data before its recent reintroduction to replace the hard disk drive (HDD). Information can be stored, read, and written on the disk permanently. With the use of the SSD, files are stored in a sequence of blocks referred to as cells. Each block has sections dedicated to the storage of the address of the first block of each file is called a pointer. Poor formatting of a driver might cause problems in the drive. This article will give detailed information on the two formatting methods on SSD: full format and quick format. Let’s learn about ‘Quick Format Vs Full Format SSD’.
Quick Format Vs Full Format SSD
The purpose of formatting a drive will determine the best method of formatting it. Either a quick format method or a full format method is okay, but there are restrictions to using a quick format method. If your purpose for formatting the SSD is to sell the drive, then a full format is recommended because it will erase all data and fix any issue in the drive disk.
Full Format Method: Quick Format Vs Full Format SSD
A full format method during formatting on an SSD runs its check on all the blocks in the drive and ensures that there’s nothing left in it. It deletes all the files on the drive disk and checks each of the sectors to ensure the disk is in a good state. Running a full format takes more time than a quick format. It is necessary whenever you want to give out your drive. When running a full format, ensure that your system is connected to a power supply to avoid interruption while in the process.
Quick Format Method: Quick Format Vs Full Format SSD
As the name implies, it runs a quick check on your drive and is void of a detailed analysis of your disk drive, like checking for bad sectors. Quick format doesn’t wipe off all the data in the drive disk though it may appear as if everything has been wiped. There is still a pill of information in the sectors, and this information can be retrieved over time. The quick format method is necessary if you still want to retain ownership of your drive and not share it with a third party.
Difference Between Quick Format And Full Format Method
Formatting a disk incorporates different aspects of low-level formatting, high-level, and partitioning. The difference between the quick format and full format does not only lie in the data retention but other factors such as:
1. Formatting Speed
If you are considering speed, the quick format takes less time than the full format method. The full format method will scan each sector, leaving each with a zero. This also depends on the size of the memory and the read/write speed of the drive. It takes less than 30 minutes to run a quick format on a 1 TB hard disk and about an hour for a full format. This is because transferring with SSD is faster and uses 500 MB per second. Using an HDD may take about three hours because of its transfer rate of 30 to 150 MB per second. A full format on an external hard drive will talk about twenty-four hours.
2. Data Recovery and Privacy
If the essence of formatting is to ensure that your data is safe from third-party access. The quick format method is not the best choice. The full format method will ensure that the data is completely wiped from the disk sector and will not be recovered with any software.
If you carry out a quick format, it will be easier to recover data since it is still in the drive. A disk-wiping can be carried out if you want to ensure that the data is completely off the disk.
3. Bad Sector
The smallest data storage unit in a hard disk describes a sector. A sector will become worse if there has been physical damage at the disk, this will make that aspect not function as it should. A full format will identify these sectors, but if a quick format is carried out, these sectors will remain hidden and can cause more damage in the drive.
A full format is necessary if you are selling or donating the drive to ensure the disk is in good condition.
4. Working Mechanism
As mentioned earlier, the SSD stores its data in cells which are sequences of blocks with a pointer being the section that saves the first block of a file. During the formatting process, the system will delete only the pointers, if the quick format method is applied, without any attention to other sectors. This means that the data stored in the different sectors are not tampered with. A full format will get through all the blocks, replacing the data stored with zero while also checking for bad sectors.
How To Format Your SSD?
If you have used the HDD before now, there is no significant difference between formatting an SSD and from HDD. No matter the version of the window you are using, there is a provision for deleting, creating, and partitioning your drive.
Follow these steps to format your SSD.
- Click on the window icon or start menu to search for the control panel.
- Select Hardware and Sound. Choose Disk Management from the list of options.
- On the list of disks that pops up on your screen, select the drive to be formatted.
- Right-click on it and choose the format from the listed options.
- From the dialogue box that will appear, check the box in front of “Perform a quick format.” Click the “Ok” tab to proceed.
Do not interrupt the process by touching any key or running an app. The process will commence after a few minutes.
If you are not comfortable with formatting using this method. The partition manager is a great substitute. Apart from formatting the disk, the partition manager serves different functions such as:
It allows you to create an extension on your partition and align your SSD partition.
You can also convert your extended partition to NTFS.
Your SSD performance can be measured using the partition manager.
It also checks how functional your SSD is.
Whether it is a full format or quick format, drive C is excluded from the process because it houses the most valuable system files.
When To Use A Quick Format Method?
The quick format can be used when you want to retain the information on your drive. It is the perfect option if you are sure that there are no damaged sectors in your drive, especially if it was formatted before. If you are unsure, don’t skip the process, as it may affect your data subsequently.
It is useful when you want to create storage space in your device and when the system prompts you to format your disk, especially when the system file is damaged.
When To Use A Full Format?
A full format is recommended when you don’t need the data in your device any longer and wouldn’t want another person to access it. It is also necessary if you want to check for damaged sectors in your drive.
If your computer is infected with a virus, a full format is necessary to ensure that the virus is not hidden in other sectors and when your disk has sectors yet to be used. To sell your disk, go for the full format option, it is safer.
Conclusion
Now We’ve learnt about ‘Quick Format Vs Full Format SSD’, After reading this article, you’ll discover that quick formatting and full formatting methods depend on data security. To have your data secured from other users a full format is recommended to ensure that all the sectors have been properly replaced with a zero. The quick format will only remove the pointers leaving other sectors untouched. A full format might cause some tears in the drive but this is not always the case, it is highly recommended if you are giving out your drive. To still retain ownership of your drive goes for the quick format method.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can my data be recovered after a full format?
It is impossible to recover data after a full format with SSD. If you still need your data, use the quick format method or back up your important data before the process.
- Will bad sectors in my SSD affect the entire drive?
Unlike, HDD, the presence of a dead sector in your SSD will not interrupt your operating system from functioning as it should. This is because data are not stored in sequential order as the such OS can read other sectors and still function as it should.
- Is a full format recommended for SSD?
Some users are on to the fact that SSD doesn’t require a full format because of its limited writing cycles. This is not true as this doesn’t stop the process especially if you are using the recent SSD, no damage will occur on it. You can perform your full format on SSD.
- How can I identify the SSD on my system?
Visit the task manager on your system to access the performance tab. You’ll find the name of the disk written on each disk name.
