How to Erase Partition on Windows 10/11: 4 Ways

This article includes 4 methods to erase partitions on Windows 10 completely, including using Windows native tools and a professional disk eraser utility.

By @Jonna Last Updated March 20, 2024

Is It Safe to Delete a Partition in Windows 10?

Are you looking to reclaim disk space, troubleshoot issues, or optimize storage on your Windows 10 system? Deleting unnecessary partitions can be a valuable solution. However, some users may be curious about whether is it safe to delete partitions on Windows 10.

Actually, it's generally safe to delete partitions that are no longer needed, but it's also crucial to back up any important data beforehand to prevent accidental data loss. In this guide, we'll explore 4 effective methods to erase partitions on Windows 10.

👉 Method 1. Erase Partitions on Windows 10/11 with Diskpart 👉 Method 2. Remove Drive Partition from Windows 10/11 using PowerShell 👉 Method 3. Delete Windows 10/11 Partition with Disk Management 👉 Method 4. Erase Windows 10/11 Partitions via Professional Disk Wipe Tool🔥 👉 FAQs about Removing Partition on Windows 11/10

Method 1. Erase Partitions on Windows 10/11 with Diskpart

Using Diskpart, a command-line disk partitioning utility, is a straightforward way to erase partitions on Windows. You can use this tool to erase EFI partition from Windows 10 as well as data partitions. Follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Type diskpart and press Enter to launch the Diskpart utility.

3. Use the list disk command to display all disks on your system.

4. Type select disk x to select the disk containing the partition you want to erase.

5. Enter list partition to display all partitions on the selected disk.

6. Type select partition Y to choose the partition to remove and press Enter.

7. Finally, enter delete partition to delete partition with Diskpart.

Method 2. Remove Drive Partition from Windows 10/11 using PowerShell

PowerShell offers a powerful scripting interface for managing partitions. Here's how to erase partitions on Windows 10/11 using PowerShell:

1. Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the pop-up menu.

2. Use the Get-Partition cmdlet to list all available partitions on your system.

3. Identify the partition you wish to erase, and then type Remove-Partition -DriveLetter x (x refers to the target partition letter) cmdlet followed by the partition's identifier to delete it.

4. Then, type Y and press Enter to confirm it.

Method 3. Delete Windows 10/11 Partition with Disk Management

Disk Management is a native Windows tool that can help you resize partitions, delete partitions, format drives, change drive letters, etc. Here is how to wipe a partition on Windows 10:

1. Press Win + X and select Disk Management.

2. Find the partition you want to delete > right-click on it > choose Delete Volume.

3. Click Yes to confirm the operation.

Method 4. Erase Windows 10/11 Partitions via Professional Disk Wipe Tool

For users who prefer a graphical interface and advanced features, AOMEI Backupper Professional provides an intuitive solution for partition management. This tool offers 2 disk wiping types and 4 wiping methods to meet different users' needs.

  • Wiping types - You can choose to wipe partition(s) or unallocated space on the disk or wipe entire disk for secondary usage.
  • Wiping methods - It offers Fill sectors with Zero, Fill sectors with random data, DoD 52220.22-M, and Gutmann to erase the select partition(s) or disk.

For how to delete hard drive partition on Windows 10 using this disk wiping tool, you can download and install it on your computer and follow the steps below.

Download Demo Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
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Step 1. Run AOMEI Backupper, and click on the Disk Wipe option under the Tools tab.

Step 2. Choose your desired wiping type, here we take Wipe partition(s) or unallocated space on the disk as an example, and click Next.

Step 3. Select the partitions or unallocated space you want to wipe, and hit Next.

Step 4. Pick the wanted wipe method and tap on Start to begin the Windows 10 partition wiping process.

Note:✎...
If you want to wipe the system disk or C drive where the Windows OS is installed, the software will restart to WinPE to perform the operation. And you will not be able to enter the system after the disk erasing.

FAQs about Removing Partition on Windows 11/10

#1. Is deleting a partition the same as formatting?

No, deleting a partition removes the partition and associated file systems, while formatting initializes the file system on the partition.

#2. What happens if I erase a partition?

Erasing a partition removes all data and file systems associated with it, effectively wiping the partition clean.

#3. What partitions are needed for Windows 10 install?

To install Windows 10, the necessary partitions are:

  • EFI System Partition
  • Microsoft Reserved Partition (MSR)
  • Recovery Partition
  • Windows Partition

These partitions are typically created automatically during the installation process. The EFI System Partition is essential for booting in UEFI mode, while the Reserved Partition holds system files. The Recovery Partition allows for troubleshooting and system recovery, while the Windows Partition contains the operating system and user data.

Conclusion

Erasing partitions on Windows 10/11 is important in disk management, enabling you to optimize storage, troubleshoot issues, and streamline data management. By leveraging the methods outlined in this guide, you can confidently erase partitions on your Windows system, ensuring efficient disk utilization and enhanced system performance.

To protect your data before partition erasing, it is highly recommended to back up your disk or create a system image, using AOMEI Backupper, to prevent system startup problems caused by accidental deletion. You can also utilize this tool to create bootable media to start your computer up when accidents happen.