Our Final Recommendation * Choose exFAT if: You will use the drive with both Windows and Mac computers, or mainly for playing vide... AGI Technology How To Format Your SSD In Windows and MacOS Quick formatting your SSD with file explorer * If you are formatting an external SSD, start by connecting the drive to a USB port. Kingston Technology

“Format?” Elena panicked. “That sounds like deleting my entire digital life.”

The PC booted from the USB, showing a blue Windows Setup screen. Elena clicked through language options, then “Install Now.” She scrolled past the activation key prompt (her key was digital, linked to her Microsoft account) and chose “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).”

And the spinning wheel of death never returned.