Intel SSD Secure Erase: How to Wipe an Intel or Solidigm SSD (2026)

In 2023, researchers at the University of Hertfordshire purchased 200 used SSDs from online marketplaces and found that 59% contained recoverable data from previous owners — personal photos, financial records, corporate documents. If you own an Intel or Solidigm SSD and plan to sell, donate, or recycle your computer, a simple format will not protect you. Here is how to properly wipe your drive using the free tools Intel and Solidigm provide.

Key Takeaways:

• Intel MAS (Memory and Storage Tool) and Solidigm Synergy Toolkit both issue firmware-level erase commands that reach all NAND cells, including over-provisioned and remapped areas
• Intel sold its NAND/SSD business to SK hynix in 2025 — Solidigm now manages former Intel SSD products, and Solidigm Synergy Toolkit is the successor to Intel MAS
• You cannot erase the drive Windows is running on — the Intel or Solidigm SSD must be a secondary drive or accessed from a bootable environment
• Intel MAS supports ATA Secure Erase (SATA) and NVMe Sanitize (NVMe), matching NIST 800-88 Rev. 2 Purge-level sanitization
• Neither tool generates a certificate of erasure — use BitRaser Drive Eraser if you need documented proof for compliance

Intel, Solidigm, and SK hynix: What Happened

If you have been out of the loop, the Intel SSD landscape has changed significantly. In October 2020, Intel announced the sale of its NAND memory and SSD business to SK hynix for $9 billion. The deal closed in stages, with the final transfer completing in 2025. Solidigm, a subsidiary of SK hynix, now owns and manages all former Intel NAND products.

What this means for you as an Intel SSD owner:

• Intel MAS (Memory and Storage Tool) is still available for download and works with legacy Intel-branded SSDs. However, Intel is no longer actively developing the tool. Do not expect new features or long-term support.
• Solidigm Synergy Toolkit is the replacement. It supports both older Intel-branded SSDs and newer Solidigm-branded models (P41 Plus, P44 Pro, etc.). If you are setting up a tool for the first time, start with Synergy Toolkit.
• Drives already in your system continue to work normally. The firmware, warranty, and support simply transferred from Intel to Solidigm.

Both tools offer Secure Erase functionality. This guide covers both so you can use whichever applies to your situation.

How Intel MAS and Solidigm Synergy Handle Erasure

When you run Secure Erase through either Intel MAS or Solidigm Synergy Toolkit, the software does not overwrite the drive with zeros or random data. It sends a firmware-level command directly to the SSD controller:

• For SATA Intel/Solidigm SSDs (Intel 545s, Intel D3-S4510, etc.): The tool issues an ATA Secure Erase command. The SSD controller resets all NAND cells to their factory-erased state, including cells in over-provisioned space and remapped blocks invisible to the operating system.
• For NVMe Intel/Solidigm SSDs (Intel 670p, Solidigm P41 Plus, P44 Pro, etc.): The tool issues an NVMe Sanitize command (Block Erase or Crypto Erase) or NVMe Format with secure erase settings. This achieves the same comprehensive erasure through the NVMe command set.

This firmware-level approach matters because software-based overwriting is unreliable on SSDs. Wear leveling, over-provisioning, and the flash translation layer prevent standard write commands from reaching every NAND cell. Firmware-level commands bypass these limitations because the SSD controller handles erasure internally — it knows where every cell is, including the ones hidden from the OS.

For a full explanation of why SSDs require different erasure methods than traditional hard drives, see our complete guide to wiping a hard drive.

Requirements Before You Start

Before running Secure Erase, confirm the following:

1. Intel or Solidigm SSD only. Intel MAS works exclusively with Intel-branded drives. Solidigm Synergy Toolkit works with Intel-branded and Solidigm-branded drives. Neither tool will erase drives from Samsung, WD, Crucial, or other manufacturers.

2. The target drive cannot be the boot drive. Windows locks the drive it is running on, preventing firmware-level erase commands. You need to either:

   • Connect the SSD to another computer as a secondary SATA or NVMe drive
   • Boot from a USB drive and run a bootable erasure tool
   • Use an external USB-to-SATA/NVMe enclosure or dock on a separate PC

3. Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit). Both Intel MAS (GUI version) and Solidigm Synergy Toolkit require 64-bit Windows. Intel MAS also has a CLI version that runs on Linux.

4. Administrator privileges. You must run either tool as an administrator for Secure Erase to work.

5. Back up everything first. Secure Erase is irreversible. Every byte of data on the drive will be destroyed — there is no undo.

6. Stable power supply. Do not perform Secure Erase on a laptop running on battery. An interrupted erase can leave the drive in a locked or unusable state.

Step-by-Step: Secure Erase with Intel MAS (GUI)

Follow these steps if you have an Intel-branded SSD and want to use Intel's own tool.

Step 1: Download and Install Intel MAS

1. Go to Intel's download page at downloadcenter.intel.com and download Intel Memory and Storage Tool (GUI version).
2. Run the installer and follow the prompts. Accept the license agreement.
3. Launch Intel MAS. The tool will scan for connected Intel SSDs.

Step 2: Verify Your Drive Is Detected

1. On the Intel MAS dashboard, confirm your Intel SSD appears in the drive list.
2. Note the model name (e.g., Intel SSD 670p, Intel SSD 660p), firmware version, and interface type (SATA or NVMe).
3. If the drive does not appear, verify it shows up in Windows Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc). Intel MAS only detects Intel-branded drives — if your SSD has been rebranded by an OEM, it may not be recognized.

Step 3: Navigate to Secure Erase

1. Select your Intel SSD from the drive list.
2. Click the Secure Erase option. In Intel MAS, this is found under the drive management or maintenance section.
3. Your boot drive will not be available for selection — this is expected behavior.

Step 4: Handle the Frozen Drive State (SATA Only)

If you have a SATA Intel SSD and the Secure Erase option is grayed out or shows a "frozen" warning, the BIOS has placed a security freeze lock on the drive.

Fix — Sleep/Wake method (recommended):

1. Put your computer to sleep (Start > Power > Sleep).
2. Wait 5 seconds.
3. Wake the computer by pressing the power button.
4. Return immediately to Intel MAS. The frozen state should be cleared.

NVMe drives installed in M.2 slots are generally not affected by the BIOS freeze lock. If an NVMe drive shows as frozen, a full system restart followed by the sleep/wake trick usually resolves it.

Step 5: Execute Secure Erase

1. With the drive selected and unfrozen, click Secure Erase.
2. Intel MAS displays a warning that all data will be permanently destroyed. Read it carefully.
3. Confirm the operation when prompted.
4. The erase begins. Most Intel SSDs complete the process in under two minutes. Do not power off or disconnect the drive during erasure.
5. Intel MAS displays a success message when the operation finishes.

Step 6: Verify the Erase

1. Open Windows Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc). The drive should appear as unallocated space with no partitions.
2. Optionally, run a quick scan with a free data recovery tool (such as Recuva or TestDisk) to confirm nothing is recoverable.

Step-by-Step: Secure Erase with Solidigm Synergy Toolkit

If you have a Solidigm-branded SSD (P41 Plus, P44 Pro) or a legacy Intel SSD and prefer the actively maintained tool, use Solidigm Synergy Toolkit instead.

Step 1: Download and Install Solidigm Synergy Toolkit

1. Go to the Solidigm support page at solidigm.com/support/tool-downloads and download Solidigm Synergy Toolkit.
2. Run the installer and accept the license agreement.
3. Launch the toolkit. It will detect connected Intel and Solidigm SSDs.

Step 2: Verify Your Drive Is Detected

1. Confirm your SSD appears on the Synergy Toolkit dashboard. The tool recognizes both Solidigm-branded and legacy Intel-branded SSDs.
2. Note the model name, serial number, firmware version, and interface type.

Step 3: Initiate Secure Erase

1. Select your target drive from the drive list.
2. Navigate to the Secure Erase feature. In Synergy Toolkit, this is located under drive management options.
3. If the drive is frozen (SATA only), use the sleep/wake method described in the Intel MAS section above.

Step 4: Execute and Verify

1. Click Secure Erase and confirm the warning prompt.
2. Wait for the operation to complete — typically under two minutes.
3. Verify in Disk Management that the drive shows as unallocated.
4. The drive is now securely erased and ready to be formatted, repurposed, or disposed of.

Bottom Line: Both Intel MAS and Solidigm Synergy Toolkit issue the same firmware-level erase commands — ATA Secure Erase for SATA and NVMe Sanitize for NVMe. The process takes under two minutes and is free. If you are setting up a tool fresh, choose Solidigm Synergy Toolkit since it has active development and broader compatibility. Use Intel MAS only if you already have it installed or specifically need its CLI mode on Linux.

Compatible Intel and Solidigm SSD Models

Intel-Branded SSDs (supported by Intel MAS and Solidigm Synergy Toolkit)

NVMe Consumer SSDs:

• Intel SSD 670p (512GB–2TB) — QLC, PCIe 3.0
• Intel SSD 660p (512GB–2TB) — QLC, PCIe 3.0
• Intel Optane Memory H10/H20 (hybrid drives)

SATA Consumer SSDs:

• Intel SSD 545s (128GB–512GB)
• Intel SSD 535 / 530 series (legacy)

Data Center / Enterprise SSDs:

• Intel SSD D3-S4510, D3-S4610 (SATA)
• Intel SSD D7-P5600, D7-P5510 (NVMe)
• Intel Optane P5800X, P5801X (NVMe)

Solidigm-Branded SSDs (supported by Solidigm Synergy Toolkit)

NVMe Consumer SSDs:

• Solidigm P41 Plus (512GB–2TB) — QLC, PCIe 4.0
• Solidigm P44 Pro (512GB–2TB) — TLC, PCIe 4.0

Data Center SSDs:

• Solidigm D5-P5336 (QLC, PCIe 4.0)
• Solidigm D7-P5810 (Optane, PCIe 4.0)

Note: OEM Intel SSDs shipped inside laptops and prebuilt systems may use internal model numbers (e.g., SSDPEKNW, SSDPEK) that differ from retail names. Both Intel MAS and Solidigm Synergy Toolkit generally recognize these, but if your OEM drive is not detected, try updating to the latest version of Synergy Toolkit or use a third-party tool like BitRaser Drive Eraser.

Intel MAS Command-Line Option (Linux)

Intel MAS also ships as a command-line tool for Linux, which is useful if you are booting from a Linux USB drive to erase an Intel SSD that serves as the Windows boot drive.

To run Secure Erase via CLI:

1. Download the Intel MAS CLI package from Intel's download center.
2. Boot from a Linux USB drive (Ubuntu, Fedora, or any live distro).
3. Install the package and run:

sudo intelmas show -intelssd

This lists all detected Intel SSDs with their index numbers.

4. To perform Secure Erase on drive index 0:

sudo intelmas start -intelssd 0 -secureerase

5. Confirm when prompted. The tool executes the firmware-level erase command.

The CLI approach avoids the boot drive limitation entirely since you are running from a separate Linux environment.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Intel MAS does not detect my SSD. Verify the drive appears in lsblk (Linux) or Disk Management (Windows). Intel MAS only recognizes Intel-branded drives. If your drive was manufactured by Intel but sold under an OEM brand, it may not be detected. Try Solidigm Synergy Toolkit instead, which has broader recognition of former Intel products.

Secure Erase fails or hangs. Power cycle the system completely (full shutdown, wait 10 seconds, power on). Do not use restart — use a full shutdown. Relaunch the tool, unfreeze the drive if needed, and retry. If the issue persists, update the drive's firmware through the same tool before retrying.

"Drive is in a locked state" error. If a previous Secure Erase was interrupted (power loss, cable disconnect), the drive may remain security-locked. Intel MAS may offer an unlock option. If not, try Solidigm Synergy Toolkit or use hdparm --security-unlock on Linux for SATA drives.

NVMe Sanitize not supported error. Some older Intel NVMe drives may not support the full NVMe Sanitize command set. In this case, try NVMe Format with secure erase settings (available in Intel MAS CLI as a separate command). If that also fails, a third-party tool like BitRaser Drive Eraser can attempt alternative erase methods.

Solidigm Synergy Toolkit crashes on launch. Ensure you are running the latest version and that your Windows installation is up to date. Synergy Toolkit requires .NET Framework and certain Visual C++ redistributables. Reinstalling the toolkit usually resolves this.

When to Use an Alternative Tool

Intel MAS and Solidigm Synergy Toolkit are the right choice when you have an Intel or Solidigm SSD, you are on Windows (or Linux for MAS CLI), and you do not need a certificate of erasure. But there are situations where a different tool is the better option:

• Non-Intel/Solidigm SSDs: Neither tool works with other brands. Use the manufacturer's own tool or a brand-agnostic option like BitRaser Drive Eraser.
• Compliance requirements: If you need documented proof of erasure for NIST 800-88 compliance, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, or other regulations, neither Intel MAS nor Solidigm Synergy generates certificates. BitRaser produces tamper-proof PDF certificates with drive serial numbers, erasure method, verification result, and timestamp.
• Multiple drives at scale: Both tools erase one drive at a time. Enterprise environments should consider dedicated erasure software that supports batch operations.
• Long-term tool support: Given Intel's exit from the NAND business, Intel MAS may eventually stop receiving updates. If you want a tool with a clear long-term roadmap, either Solidigm Synergy Toolkit or a third-party option is a safer bet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I secure erase my Intel SSD if it is my boot drive?

Not from within Windows. Both Intel MAS and Solidigm Synergy Toolkit require the target drive to be a secondary (non-boot) drive. To erase a boot drive, connect it to a different computer as a secondary drive, boot from a Linux USB and use Intel MAS CLI, or use an external USB-to-NVMe/SATA enclosure on another PC.

Is Intel MAS still supported after the SK hynix acquisition?

Intel MAS remains available for download and continues to work with legacy Intel SSDs as of early 2026, but Intel is no longer actively developing the tool. Solidigm Synergy Toolkit is the successor for former Intel NAND products. If you are setting up a new tool, start with Synergy Toolkit.

What is the difference between Intel MAS Secure Erase and Solidigm Synergy Secure Erase?

Both tools issue the same firmware-level commands — ATA Secure Erase for SATA drives and NVMe Sanitize or NVMe Format for NVMe drives. The difference is branding and drive compatibility. Intel MAS recognizes older Intel-branded SSDs, while Solidigm Synergy Toolkit supports both legacy Intel drives and newer Solidigm-branded models like the P41 Plus and P44 Pro.

How long does Intel SSD Secure Erase take?

Most Intel and Solidigm SSDs complete Secure Erase in under two minutes regardless of capacity. Crypto erase finishes in under a second because it only destroys the encryption key. The process is fast because firmware-level commands reset NAND cells directly rather than writing data to every cell from the host system.

Does Intel MAS Secure Erase meet NIST 800-88 requirements?

Intel MAS issues ATA Secure Erase (SATA) or NVMe Sanitize (NVMe), which NIST 800-88 Rev. 2 classifies as Purge-level sanitization. However, Intel MAS does not generate a certificate of erasure. If you need documented proof of sanitization for regulatory compliance, use a certified tool like BitRaser Drive Eraser that produces tamper-proof erasure reports.

Why does Intel MAS say my drive is frozen?

The BIOS issues a security freeze lock on SATA drives during boot to prevent unauthorized firmware commands. To unfreeze, put your computer to sleep and wake it back up, then immediately return to Intel MAS. For SATA drives only, you can also hot-plug the data cable. NVMe drives in M.2 slots are typically not affected by the BIOS freeze lock.

Can I use Intel MAS to erase a non-Intel SSD?

No. Intel MAS only works with Intel-branded SSDs. It will not detect or operate on drives from Samsung, WD, Crucial, Kingston, or other manufacturers. For non-Intel drives, use the manufacturer's own tool or a brand-agnostic option like BitRaser Drive Eraser.

What is the difference between Secure Erase and NVMe Sanitize in Intel MAS?

Secure Erase (ATA Security Erase) is for SATA SSDs and operates through the ATA command set. NVMe Sanitize is for NVMe SSDs and operates through the NVMe command set. Both are firmware-level operations that reset NAND cells, but they target different drive interfaces. Intel MAS automatically selects the appropriate command based on your drive type.

Will Secure Erase void my Intel or Solidigm SSD warranty?

No. Secure Erase is a standard drive operation supported by the manufacturer's own tool. It does not void your warranty. The operation resets NAND cells to their factory-erased state, which is a normal function of the drive controller and counts as a single program/erase cycle with negligible impact on drive lifespan.

Can I recover data after Intel MAS Secure Erase?

No. A successful firmware-level Secure Erase resets all NAND cells on the drive, including over-provisioned areas and remapped cells that software tools cannot reach. The data is not recoverable by commercial data recovery tools or forensic services. Always verify your backup before performing Secure Erase.

The Bottom Line

Intel MAS and Solidigm Synergy Toolkit are free, effective tools for securely erasing Intel and Solidigm SSDs. With Intel's NAND business now under Solidigm, start with Synergy Toolkit for the best compatibility and ongoing support. The whole process takes under five minutes. If you need compliance certificates, BitRaser Drive Eraser fills that gap. For a broader overview of SSD erasure methods, see our complete SSD secure erase guide.

Last updated: February 2026. We regularly review and update our guides to ensure accuracy.

Sources:

• Intel Memory and Storage Tool Download. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/715595/intel-memory-and-storage-tool-gui.html
• Solidigm Synergy Toolkit Download and Documentation. https://www.solidigm.com/support/tool-downloads.html
• Intel NAND Memory Business Transfer to SK hynix. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/news/intel-completes-nand-memory-business-sale.html
• NIST Special Publication 800-88 Rev. 2, Guidelines for Media Sanitization. https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-88/rev-2/final
• NVM Express Base Specification, Revision 2.1 — Sanitize Command. https://nvmexpress.org/specifications/
• ATA/ATAPI Command Set (ACS-4), T13/BSR INCITS 529 — ATA Security Feature Set. https://www.t13.org/