Overview

New SSDs must be formatted before they can be used. This guide explains how to format your SSD on both Windows and macOS.

Windows: Format Your SSD

1. Open Disk Management

• Press Windows + X → choose Disk Management.

2. Locate the New Drive

• It will appear as “Unallocated.”

3. Create a New Volume

• Right-click → New Simple Volume → click Next.

4. Choose File System
Recommended:

• NTFS (general use)
• exFAT (cross-compatible with Mac)

5. Name the Drive and Finish

• Enter a name → Finish.

macOS: Format Your SSD

1. Open Disk Utility

• Applications → Utilities → Disk Utility.

2. Select Your Drive
Appears on the left panel.

3. Click “Erase”
Choose:

• APFS – Best for macOS
• exFAT – Cross-compatible
• Mac OS Extended (Journaled) – Older macOS use

4. Confirm and Format
Click Erase to complete.

Important

Formatting deletes all data on the drive.

Troubleshooting

If the drive does not appear:

• Try another USB port
• Confirm the enclosure is detected under Device Manager/System Report