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How to Wipe Free Space on Hard Drive on Windows & Mac? Complete Guide

  Rollins Duke
Rollins Duke   
Published: November 29th, 2025 • 8 Min Read

Overview: Want to permanently wipe free space on hard drive? You can clean free space on hard drive on Windows using the built-in cipher /w command or use SDelete to wipe empty space on hard drive securely. Learn about “Disk Utility,” an in-built way to erase empty space on hard drive macOS. We will also introduce a specialized tool to wipe free space from hard drive in a certified and secure way without technicalities.

Table of Contents
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  1. Understanding Hard Drive Free Space
  2. Reasons to Wipe HDD Free Space
  3. 4 Ways to Wipe Free Space on Hard Drive
    1. Method 1: Wipe with Cipher
    2. Method 2: Wipe with SDelete
    3. Method 3: Mac Disk Utility
  4. Specialized Tool to Wipe HDD Free Space
  5. Steps to Wipe HDD Free Space with Tool
  6. Key Features of Specialized Tool
  7. FAQs
  8. Conclusion
  9. Video Guide

Are you a system administrator looking for an advanced program to wipe free space on hard drive? Or, just an everyday user trying to figure out “How to clean empty space on hard drive before selling?”

Then this guide will walk you through the most advanced and reliable approach to clean free space on hard drive while saving lots of time and effort.

Understanding Hard Drive Free Space

Hard Disk Drive/ Hard Drive or HDD is no longer a mainstream device for storing data in 2025. However, they are still used for long-term archival, server back-ups, and in legacy devices as they are a more affordable option.

Free Space or Unused disk space on hard drive is the space on a partition (like C: or D:) that is currently not in use, or something has been deleted/ moved from there.

Because traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) store data magnetically, they are prone to recovery and cyber threats even after deletion.

Thus, companies need to wipe free space on hard drive to comply with regulations such as HIPAA. And individuals need to clean free space on hard drive to either exceed the hard drive storage space or just be fully secure before reselling or lending it to someone.

Why Wipe Free Space on Hard Drive?

  • For wiping out unwanted files beyond recovery.
  • To stay cyber-secure when selling or giving your hard drive to someone else.
  • To ensure sensitive files do not fall into the wrong hands.
  • Companies are required to wipe empty space on hard drive for secure disposal, meeting regulatory compliance.
  • To improve the hard drive’s performance.
  • To exceed the hard drive storage space

How to Clean Free Space on Hard Drive? 4 Reliable Methods

This expert guide covers 4 proven methods to wipe free space on hard drive. Let us discuss each step by step to help you securely overwrite free space on hard drive.

Method 1: Cipher to Wipe Free Space on Hard Drive

Windows has an inbuilt command called Cipher /w that helps you wipe unused disk space on HDD without any external installation on Windows devices.

It is secure and overwrites HDD free space with three passes(zeros, ones & random data). It works well with all internal & external HDDs.

Here are the exact steps you need to follow to wipe HDD’s free space with Cipher:

  1. Identify your hard disk drive (like C:, E:, or D:).
  2. Press Win+S, search cmd.
    open command prompt to wipe free space on Hard disk
  3. Open the command prompt.
  4. Type in cipher /w:C:
  5. Wait for the process to be completed.

Note: Replace ‘C’ in cipher /w:C: with the name of your Hard drive

Limitations

  • Can only be used to wipe free space on hard drive on Windows.
  • Time-consuming & risky when dealing with the server.
  • Needs technical knowledge.
  • Not a compliance-grade data erasure method.
  • No confirmation message or certification
  • Not efficient in the background, to remove as much free space as possible, you need to close all other applications.

Method 2: SDelete to Clean Empty Space on HDD

SDelete is a CLI command that is exclusively a part of the Sysinternals suite. It is the official way by Microsoft to wipe free space on hard drive on Windows 10 & 11.

  1. Download & Install SDelete v2.05 (latest version on you Windows PC).
  2. Run Command Prompt as an Administrator.
  3. Type in cd C:\Tools\SDelete to go to the SDelete folder.
  4. Enter the command sdelete -z D: to wipe out HDD free space.

Note: You can replace D: with the name of hard disk drive.

Limitation

  • Not for everyday users; only for IT admins.
  • Technically complex.
  • SDelete is also not a compliance-certified way.
  • Time taking when handling large data.
  • Only runs a single pass

Method 3: Disk Utility in Mac

Here are the steps you need to follow to erase empty space on hard drive mac:

  1. Go to Applications >> Utilities >> Disk Utility.
  2. Choose your hard disk drive from which you want to wipe the free space.
  3. Click Erase and select the Security Options.
  4. Choose the Security Level. (7-Pass Erase recommended)
  5. Confirm and click Ok to wipe free space on hard drive

Note: This is only available for older Mac versions before Mojave 10.14.6.

Limitations

  • Not a formal method following compliance.
  • It can take hours if you choose 7 Pass or above.
  • Not an option in the latest Mac versions.

Expert Solution to Wipe Free Space on Hard Drive

BitRecover Data Wipe Software is a modern, compliance-certified, secure, and easy way to clean free space on hard drive and prevent recovery.

An industry-standard software designed to meet legal or enterprise compliance of data erasure.

A specialized tool to erase empty space on hard drives Mac & Windows multiple wiping methods, so users can remove the data according to their needs.

Download the HDD Free Space Wipe Software today. Free trial also available.

How to Clean Free Space on Hard Drive and Prevent Recovery?

  1. Install and run the HDD free space wipe software on your machine.
  2. Choose the Wipe Logical Drive option.
    choose the wipe logical drive option to wipe free space from hard drive
  3. From Wipe Option choose Free space.
    select free space from the wipe option drop down menu to clean free space from hard drive
  4. Select your hard disk drive and press Next.
    from the drop down menu choose the hard drive from which you want to wipe the free space from
  5. Choose NATO standard 7 Pass from wipe options. Then Next.
    select the Nato standard 7 Pass to wipe free space on hard drive
  6. With “Filter Options,” you can selectively wipe free space on hard drive from Mac & Windows devices based on date and file format.
    filter setting to selectively clean free space on hard drive choose data and not needed file formats
  7. Go back to Wipe Option tab and press “Wipe” button.
    Certified way to Wipe Free Space on Hard Drive

The tool helps you overwrite free space on hard drive in the simplest and secure way. It also provides a digital erasure report that is compliant with legal data destruction standards.

Advanced Features of HDD Free Space Wipe Tool

  • All rounder solution to wipe empty space on hard drive, files & folders, drive partitions, hidden areas, log files, and other empty spaces completely.
  • Compatible with both Mac and Windows devices to help wipe free space from the hard drive.
  • Safe & secure way certified with ISO and following international compliance like GRDP, HIPAA & NIST 800-88.
  • 10+ Wipe methods to wipe free space on hard drive with security.
  • The tool provides a personalized data erasure report after you wipe unused disk space on HDD.
  • Custom filters to selectively wipe HDD space based on date range and file format.
  • Overwrite free space on hard drive in a few simple clicks. No technical knowledge required.
  • 24/7 tech support is available to clean the free space on the hard drive.

FAQs: Wipe Free Space on Hard Drive

Q1: What is the best way clean free space on a hard drive?

To wipe free space on a hard drive, you must overwrite the unused sectors so deleted files cannot be recovered. The fastest and safest ways are

  1. BitRecover Certified HDD Free Space Wipe Tool
  2. Using Cipher to clear HDD free space on Windows
  3. SDelete official tool by Windows to wipe HDD free space
  4. Disk Utility to clear 100% empty space on Mac HDD

Q2: Does this software work with the latest Windows 11 OS?

Yes, this software works with all Windows OS like Windows 11, 10, 8, and other earlier editions.

Q3: Does this utility work without an internet connection?

Yes, this software is compatible and works offline.

Q4: I have to wipe mobile data forever before selling, so does this software work with the Android phone?

Yes, this software allows you to wipe free space on hard drives and all devices, laptops, mobiles, PC, and pen drives.

Q5: Can I wipe free space without affecting my existing data?

Yes you can safely wipe empty space on Hard drive without loosing any of existing data using BitRecover HDD free space tool. Just Select Free Space from wipe options and press wipe.

Conclusion: Expert Guide to Wipe Empty Space on Hard Drive

Finally, we mentioned the most effective and advanced method to wipe free space on hard drive to prevent recovery above. The purpose of this article is to introduce you to a fantastic tool that has outstanding functionality to erase free space on the hard drive. The tool may entirely clean free space on hard drive on any and all of your devices. Additionally, the software has a free sample version that may be used to test out the software and see how it operates. I hope you enjoyed reading the post.


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