Unable to format external SSD drive

[Atomicpurple]

I am attempting to update my older laptop to a SSD.

I have a new HP 120GB SSD that I’d previously formatted with Ubuntu linux (to test a server for functionality) that I intend to use for the update.

I purchased a SATA to USB cable that I connected to the detached SSD and then to my Windows 10 laptop. The SSD does not appear in Windows file explorer; or MiniTool Partition Wizard or DiskGenius software, both of which I downloaded hoping to reformat the drive for Windows and do a disk migration.

Summarized, how do I reformat a USB-connected linux-formatted SSD for use with Windows using a Windows 10 computer?

Thanks!

[Rustys]

Does the BIOS see the new drive?

Boot to windows 10 with the drive attached.
Access the DOS command prompt.
type
diskpart

then type
list disk

and which ever disk # is the drive that you are having the issue with then
type
select disk # x

X to replaces the disk #
once the disk is selected
type
clean

once that is done
type
exit

reboot to see and see if it will allow you to format the drive now.

[Bruce]

or Plan B.
remove the laptop’s current drive, install the SSD as is and start the reload Windows process from a bootable USB with the latest image on it.
usually Windows will set the drive up automatically with is best settings, providing of course BIOS can see the drive.

[Rustys]

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