The USB drive is a convenient tool for storing and transferring files (How to transfer photos from iPhone to USB?), but in some cases, we may need to completely erase the data on it, such as when selling, giving away, or disposing of an old USB device. So, How do I completely erase a USB stick? This guide will explain how to erase a USB drive step by step.
When you want to completely erase data on a USB drive and ensure it cannot be recovered, using a professional data erasure tool is the best choice. Coolmuster Data Erasure is such a tool, allowing you to erase all data on a USB drive with just one click, making it impossible to recover through data recovery software. This method is ideal for users dealing with sensitive information, such as business users or individuals with privacy protection needs.
Key features of Coolmuster Data Erasure:
Here is how to completely erase a USB drive via Coolmuster Data Erasure:
01Download and launch the tool on your PC. In the main interface, select the "Drive Wiper" mode, then choose the desired erasure level, either "Quick Erase" or "Deep Erase", to proceed.
02Select the USB drive you want to wipe, then click the "Erase Now" button to start the wiping process.
03When prompted, confirm your selection. Make sure you have backed up any important data, as this will erase everything on the drive.
Video Tutorial:
Formatting is the most common method of data deletion. If your USB drive does not contain sensitive information, formatting is a quick and effective way to erase data. However, it is important to note that when you format a USB drive, the data is not actually removed; it is simply made inaccessible to the operating system. The data can still be recovered unless the sectors are overwritten.
Here is how to force format a USB drive:
Step 1. Insert the USB drive into your Windows computer.
Step 2. Open File Explorer (Win + E) and locate the USB device.
Step 3. Right-click the USB device and select "Format".
Step 4. Choose the file system (FAT32, exFAT, or NTFS), then check the "Quick Format" box (or uncheck it for a deep format).
Step 5. Click "Start" and wait for the formatting process to complete.
Diskpart is a built-in command-line tool in Windows that can be used to thoroughly erase a USB drive. It is suitable for situations where the USB cannot be formatted, files are corrupted, or a deeper level of cleaning is required. It is more thorough than regular formatting because it deletes the entire partition table, making the data unrecoverable. However, it requires careful input of various command lines, making the process quite tedious.
Here is how to erase USB drive using Diskpart:
Step 1. Type "cmd" in the Windows search box and right-click to select "Run as administrator".
Step 2. In the Command Prompt window, type "diskpart" and press "Enter".
Step 3. Type "list disk" and press "Enter". At this stage, all the disks available on your computer will be shown.
Step 4. Type "select disk X" (replace X with the USB device's number).
Step 5. Type "clean all" and press "Enter" to completely erase all data and partitions on the USB drive.
That's all about how to erase USB drive. If you want to completely erase USB data and ensure it is fully unrecoverable, Coolmuster Data Erasure is the best choice. The data on a formatted drive can be easily recovered, while using DiskPart to clean a USB drive is cumbersome and time-consuming. Download Coolmuster Data Erasure now and try it for free!
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