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HOME ► Faq ► FAQ - File Eraser/Shredder BlankAndSecure ► ««« FAQ 13 / 20 »»»

After format of external hard drive with Windows, can i delete the free space safely?


Even after you have formatted the hard drive or the USB stick with Windows 11, 10, ... or MS Server OS, it makes sense to delete the free space safely! 




Even when formatting by the operating system, you are still able to clean up the hard disk with the "Overwrite free area with random numbers" function in order to remove all traces, so you can always remove traces that your data has left on the hard disk. 



Content:

1.) ... Safely clean up the free area of ​​the hard disk!
2.) ... What happens when cleaning up the free area?
3.) ... Can I still use / rewrite the hard disk afterwards?



1.) Safely clean up the free area of ​​the hard disk!

1. As always, start ►  the Secure Erase program for MS Windows

2. Via the menu "Fill the free space with random numbers +"

3. Select the action that should happen when cleaning up data tracks

4. Select Windows hard drive

(... see Image-1 Point 1 to 5)


(Image-1) External hard drive formatted with Windows anyway Secure Erase!
External hard drive formatted with Windows anyway Secure Erase!

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2.) What happens when cleaning up the free area?

By overwriting the free area on the hard disk with random numbers, the standard erasure traces are removed from the hard disk. The Secure Erase APP creates files and fills them with random numbers until there is no more space on the hard drive, after which all created files are deleted again! 


See also: ►►  Recycle Bin Secure Delete via Explorer Right-click!




(Image-2) Everyone can safely delete data on all MS Windows OS!
 Everyone can safely delete data on all MS Windows OS!

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3.) ... Can I still use / rewrite the record afterwards?



Yes, of course, you can continue to use the hard drive as normal after the secure erase!

Only the free area on the hard disk is felt with random numbers, so only free areas of the hard disk with random numbers are felt until there is no more space on the hard disk, after which all files are deleted again!







FAQ 13: Updated on: 24 May 2024 20:18 Windows


► ► ► ► ... more information about the software BlankAndSecure     

BlankAndSecure

After a Windows 10/11 crash, the secure deletion of data is no longer possible!


It is rare that Windows 10/11 crashes and then the delete-safe tool does not work Everyone knows ► the system data check on Windows 11 and 10, but if the
BlankAndSecure

Should I use the MS Windows Recycle Bin or should I delete it immediately?


You can use the MS Windows 11, 10, or MS Server OS Recycle Bin and then still safely delete the data without leaving any traces on the PC Typically,
BlankAndSecure

The secure deletion of the data sometimes takes a long time, what am I doing wrong?


If the secure deletion of data sometimes takes longer, you dont have to do something wrong on your Microsoft Windows 11, 10, MS Server OS The speed
BlankAndSecure

Can I continue to securely delete the data on Windows 11?


Yes, and it is very easy to securely delete folders, files, documents, pictures, even on Windows 11 without leaving any telltale traces Even with the
BlankAndSecure

What is Secure Delete in Windows good and suitable for?


Detailed user questions and answers about Secure Erase in Windows 10, 11, and 12. The questions are divided into 10 categories to cover the different application
BlankAndSecure

What are the dangers of securely deleting files and data?


Detailed user questions and answers on the topic “Dangers of securely deleting files and data” under Windows 10, 11 and 12, divided into the most important
BlankAndSecure

What are the benefits of securely deleting files and data?


Detailed user questions and answers on the topic “Benefits of securely deleting files and data” on Windows 10, 11 and 12, divided into data secure deletion

»»

  My question is not there in the FAQ
Asked questions on this answer:
  1. Is there a way to speed up the secure deletion process?
  2. What alternatives are there to securely wipe free space?
  3. How long does it take to safely clean up free space?
  4. Is it possible to securely erase free space for external hard drives?
  5. Can I use other programs during secure deletion?
  6. What options are there in the "Overwrite free area with random numbers +" menu?
  7. How detailed are the instructions for secure deletion in the Secure Erase program?
  8. Is overwriting free space safer than formatting?
  9. How does secure erase affect the lifespan of my hard drive?
  10. Can you recover data after overwriting free space?
  11. Is there a way to undo the deletion?
  12. How does overwriting free space with random numbers work?
  13. Is it necessary to securely erase free space on a new hard drive?
  14. What are the risks of not safely clearing free space?
  15. How safe is overwriting free space compared to other methods?
  16. How does secure deletion differ for different file systems (e.g. NTFS, FAT32)?
  17. What programs can safely clean up free space on a hard drive?
  18. How can I check whether the free space has actually been securely deleted?
  19. What should I do if the deletion process is interrupted?
  20. Can I safely delete free space on a network hard drive?
  21. How often should I safely clean up the free space on my USB stick?
  22. What are the differences when it comes to securely erasing SSDs compared to HDDs?
  23. Why is securely wiping free space after formatting important?
  24. Can I use Secure Erase on a Mac?
  25. Can securely wipe free space protect my data?
  26. What legal requirements are there for secure deletion of data?
  27. What other features does the Secure Erase program offer?
  28. What settings should you make in the “Secure Erase” program for MS Windows?
  29. Are there differences in secure deletion between different versions of Windows?
  30. What are the best practices for secure hard drive erasure?
  31. What are the security levels for securely deleting free space?
  32. How often should you safely clean up free space?
  33. Is securely deleting free space also relevant for MS Server OS?
  34. What exactly happens when cleaning free space?
  35. How do I choose the action to take during data cleansing?
  36. What happens if I don't securely delete free space?
  37. Can I automate the secure deletion process?
  38. Is secure deletion of free space also possible for memory cards?
  39. Are there differences between secure erase on SSDs and HDDs?
  40. After securely wiping free space, can you still use the hard drive?
  41. What are the advantages of overwriting with random numbers over other methods?
  42. Can you safely delete free space on a USB stick?
  43. How do I choose the right hard drive for secure erase?
  44. How do I start the Secure Erase program for MS Windows?
  45. Can I perform secure wipe of free space on mobile devices?
Keywords: blank, and, secure, format, external, hard, drive, windows, 11, 10, server, free, space, safely, formatted, stick, Questions, Answers, Software




  

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