Complete deletion of content on an external drive

Contents

Delete content on an external drive/memory stick

Delete content on an external drive/memory stick with CCleaner

 

Delete content on an external drive/memory stick

1. Insert an external hard drive/memory stick

1. Insert the external drive/memory stick to your computer.
2. Open the File Explorer. In the left menu: Locate the drive you want to erase.
3. Right click on the drive and select "Format..."

2. Formatting the drive

1. Select the file formatting process for the drive, either NTFS, FAT or FAT32 (answer.microsoft.com).
2. Tick for "Quick Format".
3. Click on "Start" and confirm to erase all data on the drive.
4. All content is now erased and is ready to be discarded or reused.

Delete content on an external drive/memory stick with CCleaner

1. Open CCleaner

1. Insert the Memory Stick in the PC.
2. Open the programme CCleaner from the Start menu.
3. Choose: Tools in the left menu
4. Then choose:  Drive Wiper

 

2. Drive Wiper

1. In the first dropdown Wipe, select: Entire Drive (All data will be erased)
2. In the next drop down Security: Choose Very Complex Overwrite (35 passes)
3. In the list, select: Memory Stick / Removable Disk (E:)
4. Click Wipe

3. Erasing the drive from CCleaner

1. Write: ERASE in the new warning dialog box.
2. Click OK