Formatting the SSD Unit on Windows

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 130 views

Introduction

In today's digital age, Solid-State Drives (SSDs) have become an essential component of our computing systems. They offer faster data transfer rates, improved durability, and increased storage capacity. However, when it comes to formatting an SSD unit, things can get complicated, especially when dealing with different operating systems. In this article, we will explore the steps to format a SSD unit that Ubuntu doesn't read but Windows does.

Understanding the Issue

You've purchased a 4TB SSD unit, which is easily readable by another PC with Windows. However, when you try to access the unit on your Ubuntu 20.04 LTS system, it doesn't show up. This is a common issue that arises due to the differences in file system support between Windows and Linux.

File System Support

Windows uses the NTFS (New Technology File System) file system by default, while Linux uses ext4 (Fourth Extended File System) or other file systems like XFS, JFS, and Btrfs. The issue here is that Ubuntu doesn't natively support NTFS, which is why the SSD unit is not readable.

Formatting the SSD Unit on Windows

You've already formatted the SSD unit on Windows in NTFS, which is a good start. However, to make the unit readable on Ubuntu, you'll need to format it in a file system that Ubuntu supports.

Why NTFS is Not Enough

While NTFS is a widely used file system, it's not the best choice for Linux systems. NTFS has some limitations, such as:

Limited support for Linux file permissions: NTFS doesn't support the same level of file permissions as Linux, which can lead to issues with file ownership and access control.
Limited support for Linux file systems: NTFS doesn't support the same level of file system features as Linux, such as symbolic links, hard links, and file system quotas.

Choosing the Right File System

To make the SSD unit readable on Ubuntu, you'll need to format it in a file system that Ubuntu supports. Some popular options include:

ext4: This is the default file system for Ubuntu and is widely supported.
XFS: This is another popular file system that's widely supported on Linux systems.
Btrfs: This is a modern file system that offers advanced features like snapshots, quotas, and checksums.

Formatting the SSD Unit on Ubuntu

Now that you've chosen the right file system, it's time to format the SSD unit on Ubuntu.

Using the `mkfs` Command

To format the SSD unit, you'll need to use the mkfs command. This command creates a new file system on the device.

sudo mkfs -t <file_system> /dev/sdX

Replace <file_system> with the file system you chose (e.g., ext4, XFS, or Btrfs). Replace /dev/sdX with the device name of the SSD unit (e.g., /dev/sda1).

Using the `mkfs.ext4` Command

If you chose to use the ext4 file system, you can use the mkfs.ext4 command to format the SSD unit.

sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdX

Using the `mkfs.xfs` Command

If you chose to use the XFS file system, you can use the mkfs.xfs command to format the SSD unit.

sudo mkfs.xfs /dev/sdX

Using the `mkfs.btrfs` Command

If you chose to use the Btrfs file system, you can use the mkfs.btrfs command to format the SSD unit.

sudo mkfs.btrfs /dev/sdX

Mounting the SSD Unit on Ubuntu

Once you've formatted the SSD unit, you'll need to mount it on Ubuntu.

Using the `mount` Command

To mount the SSD unit, you'll need to use the mount command.

sudo mount /dev/sdX /mnt

Replace /dev/sdX with the device name of the SSD unit (e.g., /dev/sda1). Replace /mnt with the mount point (e.g., /mnt/ssd).

Conclusion

Q: Why doesn't Ubuntu read my SSD unit that's formatted in NTFS?

A: Ubuntu doesn't natively support NTFS, which is why the SSD unit is not readable. NTFS is a file system developed by Microsoft, and while it's widely used on Windows systems, it's not the best choice for Linux systems.

Q: What file systems does Ubuntu support?

A: Ubuntu supports a variety of file systems, including ext4, XFS, and Btrfs. These file systems are widely supported on Linux systems and offer advanced features like file permissions, file system quotas, and snapshots.

Q: How do I format my SSD unit in a file system that Ubuntu supports?

A: To format your SSD unit in a file system that Ubuntu supports, you'll need to use the mkfs command. This command creates a new file system on the device. For example, to format the SSD unit in ext4, you can use the following command:

sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdX

Replace /dev/sdX with the device name of the SSD unit (e.g., /dev/sda1).

Q: What's the difference between ext4 and XFS?

A: ext4 and XFS are both popular file systems that offer advanced features like file permissions, file system quotas, and snapshots. However, they have some differences:

ext4: This file system is widely supported on Linux systems and offers good performance. However, it has some limitations, such as limited support for file system quotas and snapshots.
XFS: This file system is also widely supported on Linux systems and offers good performance. However, it has some limitations, such as limited support for file permissions and file system quotas.

Q: How do I mount my SSD unit on Ubuntu?

A: To mount your SSD unit on Ubuntu, you'll need to use the mount command. This command mounts the file system on the device to a specific mount point. For example, to mount the SSD unit in ext4 to the /mnt/ssd mount point, you can use the following command:

sudo mount /dev/sdX /mnt/ssd

Replace /dev/sdX with the device name of the SSD unit (e.g., /dev/sda1). Replace /mnt/ssd with the mount point (e.g., /mnt/ssd).

Q: What are the benefits of using Btrfs?

A: Btrfs is a modern file system that offers advanced features like snapshots, quotas, and checksums. Some benefits of using Btrfs include:

Snapshots: Btrfs allows you to create snapshots of your file system, which can be useful for backing up your data or testing new software.
Quotas: Btrfs allows you to set quotas on your file system, which can be useful for limiting the amount of space used by a particular user or group.
Checksums: Btrfs allows you to verify the integrity of your file system by checking the checksums of your data.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with my SSD unit?

A: If you're experiencing issues with your SSD unit, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem:

Check the device name: Make sure you're using the correct device name for your SSD unit (e.g., /dev/sda1).
Check the file system: Make sure the file system is properly formatted and mounted.
Check the permissions: Make sure the permissions are set correctly for the file system and the mount point.
Check the logs: Check the system logs for any errors or warnings related to the SSD unit.

Conclusion

Formatting a SSD unit that Ubuntu doesn't read but Windows does requires some knowledge of file systems and Linux commands. By following the steps outlined in this article and the FAQs, you should be able to format the SSD unit in a file system that Ubuntu supports and make it readable on your system. Remember to choose the right file system, format the SSD unit using the mkfs command, and mount it on Ubuntu using the mount command.