SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

How to Optimize an SSD / HDD When You're Ready to Reinstall the Operating System​

This will show how to remove / over-write all existing data from a Solid State Drive (SSD) or a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), it'll work for both, then how to create a partition and then format that partition before install begins so you have a clean drive to start the installation with.

   Note

Before you start this, in the Windows start menu search box type diskmgmt.msc right click the entry and click "Run as Administrator" if you get a User Account Control (UAC) prompt enter your user credentials and click Yes; make very sure you know the correct drive number of the drive you want to do this to if you have more than one SSD / HDD in the machine, you don't want to do the wrong one.

   Warning

Do not do this to any SSD or HDD that has data on it you don't want to lose, the first thing this does is to mark the drive as "Unallocated Space" and then writes zeroes ( 0's ) to the entire drive, it's known as a "Secure Erase" and it will make data un-recoverable, it cannot be done to just a single partition on a drive, it will do the whole drive.
You have been warned!

   Information

It may be a help to over-write the HDD Master Boot Record (MBR) before you start any other procedure using the diskpart clean command, rather than the clean all; it takes just seconds to complete so you will have "unallocated" space to use either the Windows installer to create and format the partition(s) or use diskpart for that, however you choose.

Let's get started!

Step One

Boot To DISKPART

If need be, view this tutorial at the link below for an out-line of the process.
How to Boot to DISKPART at PC Startup

1) In the command window that opens type diskpart then hit the <enter> key then type list disk <enter> if you have more than one SSD / HDD in the machine it'll list them all.

Have a look here to view additional important information on this entire process.
click any image to enlarge

2) Now in the command window type select disk # (# = target disk number) then <enter>, you will get "Disk # is now the selected disk".

3) Now type clean <enter> you will get a blinking cursor telling you that clean all is working like in the second snip down, just relax and let it work.


4) When it finishes you'll get "DiskPart succeeded in cleaning the disk" in the command window.

To leave diskpart at any time and return to the Windows 7 installer type exit two (2) separate times and hit <enter> after each and you will be returned to the installer to continue the installation process.

Step Two

Create a Partition

1) Create a single partition of the entire HDD / SSD

Still in the same command window, to create a partition of the entire HDD / SSD, it is suggested if you are using one of the larger, 1 - 2TB HDDs that you use the outline in #2 below to create a single 100GB partition to do the installation to or #3 below if you would like to include the new Windows 7 System Reserved partition, as we're now seeing serious issues with some trying to install to such large partitions.

Do not format the created partition(s) with the installer if you create them using this process as the installer will delete all this info, the second snip shows how to select "where to install" during the installation process, click to highlight/select the "Windows 7" partition and click next.

Now skip down to #5 below to start the installation.
click any image to enlarge


2) Create a specific size partition

If you wanted to create a specific size partition, say 100GB you would add the size you want to create in MBs like in the command below.
create partition primary size=102400 <enter>
1024MB = 1GB - 1024x100 = 102400, you can use/create any size you like.

You can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

Do not format the created partition(s) with the installer if you create them using this process as the installer will delete all this info, the second snip shows how to select "where to install" during the installation process, click to highlight/select the "Windows 7" partition and click next.

Now skip down to #5 below to start the installation.


3) Create the System Reserved partition

If you should want to add the "System Reserved" partition back after the clean all, see this snip; of course you would have to select to install Windows 7 to the partition labeled as "Windows 7" during the install and do not format either partition with the installer.

The reason for suggesting to create the System Reserved at 200MB instead of the new default of 100MB is an attempt to curb some of the issues we're now seeing with the partition being too small when dual/multi booting and it also being needed for use with the Windows 7 Backup and Restore and BitLocker programs.

You can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

The second snip shows how to select "where to install" during the installation process, click to highlight/select the "Windows 7" partition and click next.


4) See this tutorial for the "align" argument

Align a Solid State Drive for Windows Installation

5) That's it, you're now done with the command window, type exit <enter> to leave diskpart and exit <enter> again to close the command window; if you're using a Windows 7 full installer it will go to the "Select Language" screen to continue the installation process as usual.

For those using a created repair CD or a Vista installer type exit <enter> to leave diskpart and exit <enter> again to close the command window; at the System Recovery Options dialog box that's still open click Restart to finish the process.

Enjoy!

Related Tutorials

---

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/127744-clean-install-windows-7-ahead-xp.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/127918-clean-install-windows-7-ahead-vista.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/119151-system-reserved-create-using-disk-management.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/123170-system-reserved-create-dual-boot.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/121536-system-reserved-multi-boot-logical-partitions.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/76383-disk-cleanup-extended.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/70822-ssd-tweaks-optimizations-windows-7-a.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/107566-dual-boot-create-partitions-using-pwbd.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/109752-partition-recover-space-used-older-os.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/87768-password-reset-options-windows-7-a.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/818-disk-cleanup-open-use.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93322-partition-wizard-use-bootable-cd.html
• SSD Alignment
• How to physically Install an SSD and transfer the Operating System

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Thanks BFK

Hiyya Bare Foot I'll give that a go as well.

I did download Seatools and in the dsik management section manage (we'll soon see) to format the four partitions it had and then delete the partitions which left me with this. It just leaves a cache? of a tad over 6MB.

Now what is making me wonder now is that the drive comes up with a Seatools search but not in my "Computer". So as I said I'll try the diskpart as well.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello John.


If that's an SSD you don't want to do many wipes to it as it may shorten its life, all you need is unallocated space to go ahead and create partitions.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok

Hello John.


If that's an SSD you don't want to do many wipes to it as it may shorten its life, all you need is unallocated space to go ahead and create partitions.

Ok mate it is an old WD 800 Caviar 80GB circa May 2005 that I salvaged from an old computer that I stuck a Seagate 500GB in for a friend. Am thinking of using it for a new small tester so if it does eat the biscuit I'll just stick in something else. Thing is I only want a small capacity one for what it's for.

While I am thinking of it I am going to do a bigger build for some speed - the SB with an i5 2500 and H67 board is just too slow, and I was thinking of making the boot up drive an SSD one so your advice has very handy.

 

[atran]

HDD CLEAN ALL

Hi,

could you help me?
after I do clean all and format hdd. I can not see this hdd in my computer but I see it in (diskpart)

Thanks

 

[FredeGail]

Thank you Barefoot kid. I'll do this tomorrow, I'll have to get Windows 7 on my SSD instead of one entire drive. This tutorial by brink explains it pretty well how to optimize Windows:

1. Use a Solid State Drive (SSD)
Installing Windows 7 onto a solid state hard drive (SSD) instead of a normal SATA or IDE hard drive will dramatically increase your computer's performance.

Right now I have everything on a HDD, and I believe it's holding the actual performance back the pc can perform.
By the way, when my system installed on the SSD (30GB) with updates and all stuff, would it be able to be on the actual size of 30GB? Wouldn't it fill more?
Oh and, should I connect a 3GB/s SATA or a 6GB/s to my motherboard connecting the SSD?

Thanks!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok BFT if I get it right I should have a completely new install on the SSD as I don't want anything that was on it - have fixed my email problems now and I want to start with an absolutely clean slate as it were just to make sure that any nasties it might possibly have on it will be wiped.

Forgot to mention I made a back up image anyway to pick the eyes out of.

 

[Brink]

Hello John,

If you wanted to do a clean install on a SSD, then it would be the same as doing so on a HDD. You could delete all partitions on the SSD until it is just an "unallocated" disk, then select the unallocated disk to install Windows 7 to as usual.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Hope this helps.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello John,

If you wanted to do a clean install on a SSD, then it would be the same as doing so on a HDD. You could delete all partitions on the SSD until it is just an "unallocated" disk, then select the unallocated disk to install Windows 7 to as usual.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Hope this helps.

Hiyya Shawn yes mate as always you come up with the money - thanks

Am going to do this as I think the drive may be defective as it has been going downhill for a couple of weeks and this should sort it out hopefully.

Still I have my two old faithful up to date Seagate HDD's for any emergencies ready to go (cloned them to the same content last night ready)

 

[Brink]

If the SSD is acting up on you, then you might go to it's manufacturer's website to download their SSD testing utility to see what it says about the SSD. If you could post back with what brand and model the SSD is, I may be able to help find the utility program for you.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

If the SSD is acting up on you, then you might go to it's manufacturer's website to download their SSD testing utility to see what it says about the SSD. If you could post back with what brand and model the SSD is, I may be able to help find the utility program for you.

Thanks Shawn - never gave that a thought - it's a Crucial M4 128GB and I guess the Crucial site will be the one to go to? as I have seen it before in passing but have never really used it.

Anyway I'll hook up the M4 and see what happens - thanks again for the heads up

 

[Brink]

If the SSD is acting up on you, then you might go to it's manufacturer's website to download their SSD testing utility to see what it says about the SSD. If you could post back with what brand and model the SSD is, I may be able to help find the utility program for you.

Thanks Shawn - never gave that a thought - it's a Crucial M4 128GB and I guess the Crucial site will be the one to go to? as I have seen it before in passing but have never really used it.

Anyway I'll hook up the M4 and see what happens - thanks again for the heads up

John,

I didn't see one for Crucial, but you might also check is to see if it has the latest firmware revision 0309 updated on it.

SSD Support

 

[ICIT2LOL]

John,

I didn't see one for Crucial, but you might also check is to see if it has the latest firmware revision 0309 updated on it.

SSD Support

Thanks Shawn sort of beat you to that one I tried the site but apart from a memory test / scan there doesn't seem to be a SSD test feature. I did have the 0309 firmware on the drive and I did it again just to make sure.

Now the boot is super fast but the email feature and tabbing is woeful and I am beginning to think that the SSD needs either that reinstall or replacing. Or perhaps a reinstall of Live - if it were not for this problem the drive would be great.

I might even try uninstalling Live and reinstalling it the IE9 well. As a by the by I joined the Crucial forum - to see if there were any answers there.

 

[Brink]

Well, I've never had an email client that was really fast all the time though. LOL

Do you have an antivirus program installed that has an email scanning feature that is turned on? If so, when that feature is turned on, it tends to really mess up or slow down email programs.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Well, I've never had an email client that was really fast all the time though. LOL

Do you have an antivirus program installed that has an email scanning feature that is turned on? If so, when that feature is turned on, it tends to really mess up or slow down email programs.

Yeah Shawn I have Kaspersky and I'll tone the settings down a touch and see what happens - although nothing is still coming through.

Anyway going to try that uninstall and see.

I have just run the HD Tune app and the readings mean very little to me I did try the hddscan app too but I cannot make head nor tail of it - am sending from desk2 hope it makes more sense to you than me

 

[harmie]

harmie

I don't want you to think I haven't tried! I have printed many post-some 11 Pages-some 5 pages and from various users. There is still a few points I can't understand!
1: By default, is that the size of partition Windows 7 Ultimate create during install?
2: I have had Dell OEM on all my disk and they show a small amount of space compared to what they are supposed to be. Have partitions been created? Clean All doesn't recover the space!
3: I have installed Windows Seven Ultimate many times and the Boot always causes me to crash, doesn't Windows create a Boot Partition and if not how do I?
4: System Reserve has never shown up on any installation I have tried!
5: After Clean ALL isn't the SSD, when aligned, return to original state?
6: If Windows creates partitions, why do I? Is it to increase the size?
7: After reading all I have printed-some say don't let the installer create them or they will over write the partitions you have created-It appears that Windows creates partitions as it installs. Doesn't Microsoft know it needs a larger boot partition?
8: I have a 250 Gig SSD, a 500 Gig SSD, and a 2 T HDD. Every partition I have create on this Alienware is never the size I asked for. One person says to do a clean-all and install, but as I said , my Boot always goes down. Is that because the boot Section is too small? ( I only use on disk at a time-the other marked inactive).
9: Dell sold me a OCZ SSD 250 Gig that can't be updated, and the Seagates (I-500 Gig I want to try to use,) only get a 5.9 on WEI while the HDD gets the same.
I am hoping that after Clean All and Alignment, the rating will improve.
10: I am trying to decide to create the 200 Boot Sector on the SSD and what size, I would like to have the system reserve, if needed, and trying to decide exactly what to move to the HDD and how to get them thee and how to activate a "pointer or short cut" so the OS doesn't realize they have been moved, but this wasn't very clear to me in the post I printed. I also didn't see where to get them or cut and paste them from the OS-which would leave no pointer to their new location.
11: I also read that a new or Clean All SSD was automatically optimized by Windows Installer! Confusing!

 

[zychatrix]

Hey, first of all thanx for this usefull post. I have a question. Is step 2 neccessery to create a partition or not ? I mean if I wipe my hard disk using the command prompt and then just exit to the GUI installer and let it run like normal installation. I do not want to create partition using the command prompt (the way you have shown in step two), I want to do it via GUI method by clicking the "advanced disk option" and then creating, erasing the partitions. will I be able to do that ? I am a bit confused, any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kate49]

Unable to complete this process

Hi, I got as far as the 'clean install' command but the system came back with a response saying "clean is not allowed on the disk containing the current boot, system, page title, crashdump or hibernation volume"

Can anyone explain what that means and how I get around that?

 

[Gwapz]

i tried this but when i typed (clean all) it gives me this error ( DiskPart has encountered an error: the device is not ready. see the System Event Log for more information.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Gwapz, welcome to Seven Forums!


Will you please post a snip or a camera picture of the Windows command window with ...


diskpart

list disk

How to Upload and Post a Screenshot and File in Seven Forums

 

[Gwapz]