AOMEI Partition Assistant
[Fixed]: How to Overwrite Empty Disk Space on Windows?
When it comes to data privacy and security, simply deleting files from your drive isn't enough. Even after deletion, specialized recovery tools can often retrieve your data. This post explains how to overwrite empty disk space on Windows PCs, ensuring that your data is permanently gone.
By Gia / Updated on April 17, 2025
Why Overwriting Empty Disk Space is Necessary?
Overwriting empty disk space is a crucial practice for anyone concerned about data security. When files are deleted from a Windows system, they are typically marked as "deleted" but aren't physically erased from the disk. The operating system simply removes the file’s reference from the file system, making the space available for new data. This means that even after deletion, it's often possible to recover files with data recovery tools.
If you're preparing to resell or donate your device, it's essential to ensure that sensitive data is fully erased. Overwriting empty disk space is a good choice to ensure that any traces of the deleted files are effectively overwritten with other data, making recovery practically impossible.
How to Overwrite Empty Space on Windows PCs?
There are some methods to overwrite free disk space on your Windows PC, ranging from built-in tools to third-party software. Below are two of the most effective and user-friendly ones. However, it's important to note that once data is overwritten, it is gone forever. It’s advised to create backups if you're unsure whether it's necessary.
Method 1. Use DiskPart to Overwrite Empty Disk Space
DiskPart is a built-in Windows tool that allows users to manage their disks and partitions. You can use the clean all command in DiskPart to securely wipe all data from a disk by overwriting it with zeros. Follow the steps below to overwrite free disk space using DiskPart:
Step 1. Press "Windows + R" and type "cmd" to launch the CMD window.
Step 2. In the pop-up window, input "diskpart" and press "Enter".
Step 3. Input the following commands and press "Enter" after each one:
- list disk (List all disks on your computer.)
- select disk 2 (Select the disk you want to wipe completely. )
- clean all (Delete all data from the selected disk.)
Step 4. Wait until the process to complete. It may take a long time, depending on the size of the disk.
Method 2. Overwrite Disk Space with Professional Software
While DiskPart can be used to overwrite free disk space, it poses a significant risk: you might accidentally select the wrong disk, leading to the loss of important data. If you're looking for a more efficient and user-friendly way to overwrite empty disk space, using professional software like AOMEI Partition Assistant is an excellent choice. This powerful disk management tool offers four secure wiping methods to meet various needs. And you can choose to wipe only a specific partition without affecting others.
- Four Overwriting Methods in AOMEI Partition Assistant:
- Fill in 0: Overwrites all sectors on the hard drive with zeros. This is commonly used for wiping personal hard drives and offers a basic level of data security.
- Fill in random information: Overwrites the entire drive with random data. It provides better data protection than zero-filling. It's a great choice for users who want stronger data protection.
- DoD 5220.22-M: Overwrites each addressable sector with binary 0's, binary 1's, and a random bit pattern from once to seven times. It is a popular choice among companies and organizations.
- Gutmann: Overwrites a hard drive with 35 passes, making it the safest option but also the most time-consuming. It’s typically used when the highest level of security is required.
100% SecureHere’s how to overwrite empty disk space using AOMEI Partition Assistant:
Step 1: After installing and launching the tool, click the "Wipe" main tab and select the "Wipe Hard Disk" option.
If you're working with an SSD, select the "SSD Secure Erase" option instead.
Step 2: Select the disk you want to overwrite and click "OK" to continue.
Step 3: Choose a wiping method that fits your security needs and click "OK."
Step 4: Click "Apply" and then "Proceed" to commit the operation. The tool will begin securely overwriting the disk.
Conclusion
Overwriting empty disk space is crucial for preventing data recovery before selling or disposing of your devices. In this post, we’ll guide you on how to overwrite empty disk space on Windows PCs. For great security and effectiveness, we recommend using AOMEI Partition Assistant, which offers safer wiping methods and flexible overwriting options. Download now to protect your privacy and ensure your data is permanently erased!
FAQs
Q1: How long does it take to overwrite empty disk space?
The time depends on the disk size, overwrite method, and drive type. It can range from a few minutes to several hours.
Q2: Can I recover data after overwriting disk space?
No, once the disk space is overwritten using secure methods, the data is effectively unrecoverable.
Q3: Does formatting overwrite empty disk space?
No, formatting a disk only removes file system pointers. To securely erase empty space, you need to use professional wiping tools.
