Learn how to initialize an Intel® Optane™ SSD in Windows*, whether it is new or erased.
Note | You may need to have an NVMe* driver installed in the OS before proceeding. - On Windows 8.1* or higher (it comes with a native In-Box driver) you don't need to do anything.
- In Windows 7*, in order to detect the SSD, here are two options:
- Use the NVMe driver for Intel® SSD's - Some products may not be supported, confirm in the driver release notes for specific support.
- The Microsoft* NVMe driver can be applied.
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Follow these steps to initialize, partition, and format your Intel® Optane™ SSD:
- Open Disk Management tool by following any of the methods below:
- Method 1:
- Press the Windows key + r to open the Run prompt.
- Type diskmgmt.msc.
- Click on the OK button.
- Method 2:
- Press the Windows key + x.
- Click on the Disk Management option.
- Initialize the disk by following the below steps:
- After launching Disk Management, you should see a list for the available disks in the system. Right-click on the left section of your new disk (it will display as Not initialized).
- Click on the Initialize Disk option.
- In the new pop-up window, select the Partition Style for the drive:
- GPT is newest and required for Intel® Optane™ memory module for system acceleration.
- MBR is legacy.
Note | If you intend to clone from an existing drive, make sure you choose the partition style that matches that drive. This avoids problems during cloning. |
- Click on the OK button. The disk is initialized, but is unallocated.
- Partition and format the disk by following the below steps:
- Right-click anywhere in the Unallocated sector of the disk.
- Click the New Simple Volume option.
- The New Simple Volume Wizard will pop-up. Click Next.
- Specify the volume (partition) size (normally the entire disk). Click Next.
- Select the drive letter or path (Windows typically use drive letters. Click Next.
- Select the option Format this volume with the following settings:
- File System equals to NTFS (NTFS is typical for Windows).
- Allocation equals to Default.
- Volume Label refers to the display name of the drive/partition, e.g. My Intel SSD.
- Leave the rest as is.
- Click Next to review and confirm the settings.
- Click Finish.
Your drive should be ready to use now. Navigate to This PC, with File Explorer, and you will see the new storage device.