Clean Install Windows 10 on NVMe SSD

My system specs are as follows:
Microsoft Windows 10 x64
Version 1909
Build 18363.778

I'd like to do a clean reinstall of Windows 10 on my laptop, which has an Intel NVMe SSD installed as its only drive. On an HDD, I'd simply use Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) or a similar tool to wipe the drive, then reinstall Windows 10. However, I've read that SSDs work differently than HDDs, and one shouldn't use a tool like DBAN to write zeroes to the drive, since that'll actually decrease the performance of the SSD (is this actually true?). Instead, one should use their manufacturer's SSD software to perform a secure erase (or PSID revert). This effectively wipes the SSD.

My problem is that Intel's SSD software, called Intel SSD Toolbox, doesn't support secure erase on Windows 10 (as noted on page 32 of the software documentation). So I can't use that tool to do a secure erase.

I contacted the manufacturer of my laptop, and they stated that I could simply run the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to delete partitions and/or format the drive. Is this the recommended way to wipe a NVMe SSD for reinstalling Windows? Will it decrease performance of the NVMe SSD? I've also read that I can run DISKPART and then clean the drive. Is this another recommended approach?

I'd do what you say in the last paragraph---Media Creation Tool. That will lead you to delete all partitions leaving nothing but unallocated space on the drive. Let the Windows installer proceed from there.

It would be a very rare situation if that didn't work when done correctly.

No harm in using Diskpart and Clean, but it's not necessary in the vast majority of cases---possibly such as having other non-Microsoft operating systems on the drive at one time.

Decreasing performance due to writing to an SSD is highly over-blown.

I wouldn't bother with secure erase unless you are getting rid of the drive and don't want someone to recover anything from it.

Greasy:

If you are nervous about the amount of writes to the SSD, look at the manufacturer's specs. Look for the "TBW" rating.

It might be 100, 200, or more.

That's Terabytes Written.

If you were to exceed the TBW during the warranty period, the manufacturer could deny your warranty claim. Your warranty is likely no more than 5 years, probably less.

Chances of that are extremely small.

You can track how many terabytes you write. I have written under 5 in the last year to each of my SSDs. They have TBW ratings of 150 and higher, so you can see I'm nowhere near pushing them hard. You likely aren't either.

Thanks to everyone for all your replies, including the extra suggestions for the Windows 10 setup process! It sounds like just relying on the Media Creation Tool to delete everything should be sufficient, and I shouldn't worry about any potential loss of performance. So, I'll probably just use the Media Creation Tool!

I'll mark this thread as solved for now, since I got the advice I came for. I appreciate everyone taking the time to help me out!

Greasy Gorilla said:

I'd like to do a clean reinstall of Windows 10 on my laptop, which has an Intel NVMe SSD installed as its only drive.

I contacted the manufacturer of my laptop, and they stated that I could simply run the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to delete partitions and/or format the drive.

You can certainly use MCT, though personally I prefer to download to USB flash drive using MCT, and install from that. I've done many systems this way. This way no Internet burps should impede the install. I'm not saying a live download using MCT won't work, I just prefer to remove that possibility. I also ensure I use a UPS so lost power can't be an issue.

You've indicated no reason to wipe the drive. This is totally unnecessary. Either using MCT or created media (USB flash drive or DVD) you can erase all partitions and let the install create new partitions as required. If you do use a USB flash drive, ensure it's at least 8 GB in size. 4 GB will be refused.

PCPartsGuy said:

You can certainly use MCT, though personally I prefer to download to USB flash drive using MCT, and install from that. I've done many systems this way. This way no Internet burps should impede the install. I'm not saying a live download using MCT won't work, I just prefer to remove that possibility. I also ensure I use a UPS so lost power can't be an issue.

You've indicated no reason to wipe the drive. This is totally unnecessary. Either using MCT or created media (USB flash drive or DVD) you can erase all partitions and let the install create new partitions as required. If you do use a USB flash drive, ensure it's at least 8 GB in size. 4 GB will be refused.

Oh yes, that's what I was intending to do:

1. Insert a blank USB drive in my computer.
2. Use the Media Creation Tool to download Windows 10 Home 64-bit installation files and install them onto the USB drive.
3. Reboot my computer with the USB drive plugged in and boot from it (just like I was installing Windows on an empty drive, which I've done before).

I envision that during the setup I'll have the option to wipe the drive and any partitions, so I'll take that option. And I do have a 16 GB USB drive.