What to format NVMe to for new Windows 11 install?

Zeebedy

Zeebedy

Zeebedy

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Hey guys,

I have a new nvme coming today to use as my boot drive for W11, and want to format this and my current nvme to be used as my game drive.

What format do I use when setting up my nvme drive?

I am using a ssd cadey on my MacBook Air to clear and format my nvme drives.
 
You have the option through the Windows 11 install to format and re create partitions.

If you have multiple drives I would make sure the only drive connected\visible is the 1 you want the OS on to stop Windows randomly installing anything on any other drives.

Normally people would use NTFS
 
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Thanks for the swift replies guys.

On my current 4tb nvme I have windows 11 on it, and hence why I wanted to wipe it so when I install windows 11 on the new drive, there is no conflict between drives..
 
Zeebedy said:
Thanks for the swift replies guys.

On my current 4tb nvme I have windows 11 on it, and hence why I wanted to wipe it so when I install windows 11 on the new drive, there is no conflict between drives..
Click to expand...

Disconnect the 4TB drive. Fit new NVME and install windows. When it's done, put your 4TB drive back in and do a quick format.

that's it.
 
Zeebedy said:
Will windows 11 automatically boot to the primary nvme then so I can quick format in windows the 4tb drive then?
Click to expand...
Yes it should do, but once you put your 4Tb back in just double check your boot order in BIOS to make sure the new drive is booting first
 
Windows will automatically use ntfs
Though its possible to use refs
Booting Windows of refs isn't straightforward though
At least last time I tried
But making data drives refs was pretty simple
But unlike Windows storage spaces
Drives i made refs couldn't be read by another Windows
On the same pc but on a different drive
So for now anyway refs is still a work in progress
 
If your motherboard has two slots and you just want to wipe the old drive, I'd actually just leave it in the motherboard when installing and erase everything off it using the Windows installer.

The only thing you will probably need to do, is move the existing drive to another slot, so the new drive can take advantage of what I assume is the fastest M.2 slot.

Edit: Just researched your motherboard (Asus TUF Gaming B650-E WIFI?) and you may as well update the BIOS to 3223, which was released only a week ago.
 
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hornetstinger said:
Remove every drive except the one you're installing to.

Windows has it's own partition and format procedure so no need to do anything.
Click to expand...
100% this. don't waste your time formatting the drives on something else ahead of time. Also not sure I'd even bother removing all other drives. The W11 install wizard will let you delete the existing partitions on both drives and then allow you to simply select the new drive as the install/OS drive. If you really wanted to you could quick format the second game drive here too or just leave it till you're into Windows.
 
hornetstinger said:
Disconnect the 4TB drive. Fit new NVME and install windows. When it's done, put your 4TB drive back in and do a quick format.

that's it.
Click to expand...
Yup, this is what I'd do. Saves to hassle of boot files ending up on the wrong drive or a boot menu that you don't want.

Once the second drive is back in, should be able to select the boot priority/order in the bios

Once you're back in windows.

Open up cmd as admin (start run, type cmd, hold left ctrl and shift, then hit enter. Holding those two keys will launch it as admin).

Then type diskpart, hit enter
list disks

select disk 2
(or whichever one is the drive you want to wipe), then type..

clean

Now go into disk management (start,run diskmgmt.msc). Right click your secondary drive, initialise, right click again to create partition, NTFS.
 
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