DiskPart clean removes partition and volume info, making data inaccessible but not securely erased. 1. Open Command Prompt as Admin and run diskpart. 2. List disks and select the correct one. 3. Run clean to wipe partitions. 4. Create new partitions and format the drive if preparing for Windows. Double-check the selected disk to avoid accidental data loss.

If you're trying to wipe a drive completely and prepare it for a fresh start, DiskPart is a solid built-in tool in Windows that can get the job done. It’s especially useful if you’re repurposing a drive, troubleshooting boot issues, or just want to make sure all data is removed before handing off a device.

What DiskPart Clean Does

When you run diskpart clean, it removes partition and volume information from a selected disk. This doesn’t securely erase your files in a way that makes them unrecoverable — but it clears out the structure so the disk appears blank and unpartitioned. This is often the first step before reinstalling Windows or formatting a drive from scratch.

Be warned: this action is irreversible without data recovery tools, and it will make any data on the drive inaccessible immediately.

How to Use DiskPart to Clean a Drive

Before jumping into DiskPart, make sure you’ve backed up anything important. Here's how to proceed:

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
• Type diskpart and press Enter.
• Run list disk to see which drives are connected.
• Select the correct disk using select disk X (replace X with the correct number).
• Finally, type clean and hit Enter.

Once the process finishes, the drive will be wiped of partitions and ready for new ones.

Choosing the Right Disk Matters

DiskPart won’t warn you twice — once you run the clean command, there’s no confirmation prompt. So double-checking the selected disk is critical.

A common mistake is selecting the wrong disk, especially if you have multiple internal drives or external USB drives plugged in. If you're unsure, disconnect other drives before starting. You can also check disk sizes using the list disk output to help identify the right one.

What to Do After Cleaning the Drive

After running clean, the disk will show up as "Unallocated" in Disk Management. From here, you can create new partitions using DiskPart or another tool like Disk Management or a third-party utility.

If you're preparing for a Windows install, you can continue in DiskPart:

• Use create partition primary to make a new partition.
• Then format it with format fs=ntfs quick.
• Assign a drive letter with assign.

You’ll then have a usable drive again, free of old partitions and ready for use.

That’s about it. The process itself is straightforward, but the potential consequences of targeting the wrong disk make it worth going slow and checking every step.

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