How to Wipe MFT Free Space on Windows Safely and Permanently?

  

Mark Regan
Published: October 6th, 2025 • 8 Min Read

This is a complete guide where we will understand “What is MFT free space?”, 

“Why is it important to regularly wipe MFT free space?”, “How can you wipe MFT Free Space?”  and discuss about best MFT data wiping solution. So without further delay, let’s dive deep into it.  

What is MFT Free Space?

MFT, also known as the Master File Table. For easier understanding, you can consider it like a detailed index inside a big library. Similar to the library index, MFT is the index for an NTFS file system on a Windows device. An MFT file includes File Metadata like File names, size, attributes, and Location Pointers about where the file is actually stored.

Whenever you delete a file, the Windows Operating System does not overwrite or guarantee secure deletion. A “Normal Delete” will only erase its information from the MFT and mark it as “Free.” Thus, you will be unable to access it. While the file is still recoverable and occupies space in your Windows device. 

This space on your PC, where MFT is marked as “Free,” but the storage space on your drive is still occupied by the “remnants of deleted files” up until it is completely overwritten, is called “MFT Free Space.”

What does Wipe MFT free space mean?   

An MFT free space is storage space that is not currently assigned to any new file and holds the remnants of deleted files, which can be recovered through advanced tools. To answer the question “What does wipe MFT free space do?”. It basically means overwrite the “MFT Free Space” so that the data can not be recovered. Be it your sensitive financial records, government info, or confidential images.  

Wipe MFT Free Space Benefits

If you are in a dilemma and questioning, “Why exactly should I Wipe MFT Free Space?” and “Is it good to wipe MFT free space?”. Then, question no more. There are various benefits to erasing MFT entries permanently. 

• Legal Data Policies: Often, companies and organizations need to ensure GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA secure deletion, which “Normal Delete” can not ensure.
• Prevent File Recovery Attempts: Hackers often try to recover deleted files to get access to your data. If you erasure MFT free space, your file becomes impossible to recover. Giving you peace of mind about your data 
• Reduce Digital Footprint: Users these days are willing you erase their Digital Footprint and wipe their MFT space to do so.
• Resale of Device: Wherever a user tries to resell their computer device. They need to wipe all computer data, and also wipe MFT free space so that even by mistake they can not recover your data. 
• Ensure Secure Overwrites: By clearing the MFT free space, you ensure that there is secure overwriting of files, folders, and applications. Helps resolve issues where you can’t access or use all the available storage space.

How To Wipe MFT Free Space On Windows Using Cipher?

The Windows operating system has provided its users with a built-in Windows command-line tool to erase MFT free space permanently. Step-by-step guide to clear MFT free space data.

1. Open Command Prompt: Press Win + S and then type CMD.
2. Copy Command: To wipe MFT free space drive C, paste the following command in the CMD – cipher /w:C
3. Hit Enter and wait.

Tip: If you need to clear MFT free space from any other drive apart from the C drive, replace “C” in cipher /w:C with the drive name. 

Limitations of the Cipher method to Clear MFT free space: 

• Does not meet the international erasure standard for complete data destruction. 
• It can be very time-consuming if the MFT file size is large. 
• You need to close all other applications while running the command. This is to remove as much data as possible
• It can be technically complex for beginners. 

Wipe MFT Free Space Using a Specialized Tool 

Now you may be wondering, “What to do to clear MFT Free space?” as neither system settings, formatting, nor the cipher command guarantees permanent and safe MFT free space data wiping. 

This is why using BitRecover Data Wipe, a tool designed to securely erase files with MFT free space and safely clean up your storage, is the ultimate solution. 

Download the advanced tool with the MFT Free Space Cleaner feature today to wipe MFT Free Space securely, permanently, without any hassle that too instantly. If you need any support, erase MFT free space entries permanently with a specialized tool. Feel free to reach out to our tech support team using “Live Chat” below.  

Steps to Use the Professional Tool 

If you need to wipe MFT Free Space along with file deletion in the easiest way possible, with guaranteed results, follow the steps below: 

1. Download, install, and launch the professional tool Wipe MFT Free Space.
   
   
2. Click on “Wipe File & Folder”.
   
   
3. Click on “Select Files” to choose the file that you need to delete, along with its MFT free space.
   
   
4. Select the Files and click Open >> Next. You can choose multiple files at a time. 
5. Check all the files you need to securely delete with their MFT free space.
6. Click Next and choose “Wipe Option”. E.g., Bitwipe- Simple (Pass 1)
   
   
7. Finally, press Wipe. 

Note: The tool does not delete the MFT free space file separately. But it helps wipe MFT Free Space at the time of deletion. Instead of “Normal Delete” or formatting to erase the file. Choose to delete files using a specialized tool to clean up MFT free space securely. 

Why Choose to Wipe MFT Free Space?

Using the specialized tool with the MFT Free Space Cleaner feature offers various benefits:

• Permanently delete MFT entries so they cannot be recovered (even with specialized recovery tools).
• It can erase MFT free space on any drive, including HDDs and SSDs.
• The professional tool with the MFT Free Space Cleaner feature also has a SMART drive monitor that allows you to check the health of the files and monitor your storage space.
• Wipe MFT Free Space with International Erasure Standards Compliance.
• You can choose from multiple wiping algorithms to meet your security needs
• Your data is 100% secure as your files are fully protected. You also receive a Data Wiping Certificate confirming secure deletion.

Important Considerations When You Wipe MFT Free Space 

• Backup: Always back up important files before you erase MFT Free Space.
• Permanent Deletion: There is no chance of recovery after shredding MFT free space.
• Space Reclaim: Wiping MFT free space will not provide you with a large amount of extra storage, but it provides privacy, security, and cleanup.

Conclsuion 

We hope you have now learnt “How to Wipe MFT Free Space?” Unallocated MFT space plays a critical role in cybersecurity and digital data management. Wiping the MFT free space ensures that deleted files can no longer be recovered, even using professional tools. It provided you with a small amount of additional storage, but most importantly, enhanced data security. 

While Windows has provided the Cipher command as a built-in option to clean up MFT free space securely, it has its own limitations. Which is why the MFT Free Space Cleaner feature of the professional tool is a lifesaver. Helping you make your files irrecoverable after deletion without any technical knowledge. But if you still have any queries related to the specialties tool, which deletes files with MFT Free Space wiping. Feel free to reach out to our tech support team through the live chat section.