How do I completely delete all of the files in HDD (E drive)

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  1. Posts : 101
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    How do I completely delete all of the files in HDD (E drive)


    This question relates to the previous thread I've made about how I wasn't able to delete the files:
    How to delete program files and system folders?


    Anyway, I've managed to delete majority of files using unlocker however, it still says that I have 20.2GB of used space in my E drive. I've completely deleted everything (including hidden files) and there are literally nothing in the drive (and recycle bin as well):




    I'm not able to format the HDD as the option is greyed out in the disk management (See the previous thread for more info).

    Is there any ways to completely wipe out everything in my E drive?

    Thank you, help would be appreciated it.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 12
    Windows 7 Enterprise x64
       #2

    Open elevated command prompt (Start, type cmd in the search box. Right click on cmd.exe and run-as administrator)
    Type 'diskpart' and hit enter
    select drive E: (type "list disk" and hit enter. It will show the disks installed. to select a particular disk, type "select disk #" and hit enter, where # is the disk number desired. Type "list disk" again and the selected disk will have a * next to it. Notice it doesn't show volumes, just physical drives. It looks like it'd be disk 0 for you. Go by size.)
    Type "clean" and hit enter. It's extremely important you've done the previous step correctly before running clean.
    Type exit when done. Close the Command window. Go back into disk management and set the disk back up.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #3

    I would make and use the Partition Wizard Boot CD to wipe the entire drive.


    Partition Wizard Bootable CD allows user to manage partition directly with partition manager bootable CD.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 101
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Jeckler said:
    Open elevated command prompt (Start, type cmd in the search box. Right click on cmd.exe and run-as administrator)
    Type 'diskpart' and hit enter
    select drive E: (type "list disk" and hit enter. It will show the disks installed. to select a particular disk, type "select disk #" and hit enter, where # is the disk number desired. Type "list disk" again and the selected disk will have a * next to it. Notice it doesn't show volumes, just physical drives. It looks like it'd be disk 0 for you. Go by size.)
    Type "clean" and hit enter. It's extremely important you've done the previous step correctly before running clean.
    Type exit when done. Close the Command window. Go back into disk management and set the disk back up.
    Thanks for the info.

    I just tried doing that however, it gave me an error: "Virtual Disk Service error: Clean is not allowed on the disk containing current boot, system pagefile, crashdump or hibernation volume"

    I think this had to do with the files that have been copied from my C drive. It was explained in the previous thread but basically, what happened was that before installing a new SSD my friend "cloned" everything from my C drive to my E drive. After doing so, he installed the SSD and copied all of those cloned files back to the C drive (where C drive is now SSD). He left the cloned files in E drive without deleting it and thus, as you can see I'm stuck in trying to delete these files.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #5
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 101
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    It doesn't work. I've tried both delete and format but it won't let me perform the task as the files in the disk is used (which explained above).
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 834
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64
       #7

    Or you can use parted magic:
    start
    Boot it from a usb drive or cd and write 0s to the drive and format as raw.

    If you need instructions I can be happy to assist if AddRAM's method does not work.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 834
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64
       #8

    So assuming that you want to try PartedMagic, do you have a usb flash drive available?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 101
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    ionbasa said:
    So assuming that you want to try PartedMagic, do you have a usb flash drive available?
    Yes I do have one (2GB).

    And yes, AddRam's method did not work. I don't think any method will work while I'm on the OS.
      My Computer

  10.    #10

    Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map and listings:

    1. Type Disk Management in Start Search box.
    2. Open Disk Mgmt. window and maximize it.
    3. Type Snipping Tool in Start Search box.
    4. Open Snipping Tool, choose Rectangular Snip, click New, draw a box around full drive map and all listings.
    5, Save Snip, attach using paper clip in Reply Box.

    Tell us what is on each partition and exactly what you'd like to do.
      My Computer


 
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