Question about erasing a drive

[xkmxkmxlmx]

When I go to erase a drive, there are two options. "erase free space" and "erase".

If I choose just the erase option, does it erase the free space as well?

 

[AppleNewton]

When I go to erase a drive, there are two options. "erase free space" and "erase".

If I choose just the erase option, does it erase the free space as well?

Essentially erasing free space is telling the drive that the free that has been freed up from previously deleted files will securely erase the free space so any files previously deleted or removed will be harder to recover.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3680?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

So in turn erasing free space will NOT erase your entire drive, so a simple Erase will do fine.
I like to a single Zero out to securely remove data, though most of the time repartitioning the drive works fine too.

 

[xkmxkmxlmx]

So in turn erasing free space will NOT erase your entire drive, so a simple Erase will do fine.
I like to a single Zero out to securely remove data, though most of the time repartitioning the drive works fine too.

Thanks for your reply. I understand what erasing free space means. I am asking if choosing "erase" covers both the actual files AND the free space, or if I have to do both. I am still unclear from your answer.

 

[GGJstudios]

Thanks for your reply. I understand what erasing free space means. I am asking if choosing "erase" covers both the actual files AND the free space, or if I have to do both. I am still unclear from your answer.

"Erase" will erase the entire drive. "Erase free space" will erase only the free space. If you click the ? in the lower left corner, you can get more information on any of the Disk Utility screens.

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[xkmxkmxlmx]

"Erase" will erase the entire drive. "Erase free space" will erase only the free space. If you click the ? in the lower left corner, you can get more information on any of the Disk Utility screens.

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Thanks man, I appreciated it.