Want to securely delete something and zero out free space...

[majordude]

I have a huge external drive. I just deleted some things that I don't want anymore. But I still have a lot of stuff I want on the drive so I can't format it and move on. I have to keep a lot of files on there.

How can I erase and zero out the free space that is left when I deleted those files?

I want a secure wipe.

Any ideas?

 

[BlueRevolution]

Open Disk Utility, select the drive or partition you want to zero, go to the Erase page, and click Erase Free Space.

 

[majordude]

Open Disk Utility, select the drive or partition you want to zero, go to the Erase page, and click Erase Free Space.

It won't reformat or erase the entire drive?

 

[kastenbrust]

It won't reformat or erase the entire drive?

Insert Restore DVD that came with your Mac, Boot from DVD, use Disk Utility from the DVD to zero the whole drive.

 

[BlueRevolution]

It won't reformat or erase the entire drive?

No it won't. Contrary to what kastenbrust says, there is no need to boot to your restore DVD in order to do this. Even the startup disk can be cleaned from within the OS.

 

[kastenbrust]

No it won't. Contrary to what kastenbrust says, there is no need to boot to your restore DVD in order to do this. Even the startup disk can be cleaned from within the OS.

then how do you delete the os? he said he wants to format the entire drive?

 

[majordude]

then how do you delete the os? he said he wants to format the entire drive?

NO! I don't want to format the entire drive. Sheesh!

Put down the beer and slowly back away from the keyboard.

No it won't. Contrary to what kastenbrust says, there is no need to boot to your restore DVD in order to do this. Even the startup disk can be cleaned from within the OS.

EXCELLENT! Thank you Blue!

 

[BlueRevolution]

No problem. By the way, you can avoid having to zero free space in future by enabling the "empty trash securely" option in the Finder preferences.