How to Fully Erase, Low-Level Format, or Write Zeros on a Drive

Acronis True Image for Western Digital DriveCleanser

DriveCleanser in Acronis can be used to low-level format and erase a drive.

Critical: The process is Data Destructive and cannot be undone. ALL THE DATA ON THE DRIVE WILL BE LOST!

1. Download and install Acronis True Image for Western Digital
   
   
   • Answer ID 6550: Install and Uninstall Acronis True Image for Western Digital on Windows
   • Answer ID 30615: Install and Uninstall Acronis True Image for Western Digital on macOS


2. Select Tools
   Select Acronis DriveCleanser.
   
   

   



3. Select Source Selection.
   Highlight and verify the drive to be erased.
   Select Next.
   
   

   



4. Select Algorithm Selection.
   Select Fast.
   Click Next.
   

   If the information on the drive is of a sensitive nature or there is a concern about the data being recovered later, select U.S. Standard, DoD 5220.22-M. The Fast option takes less time, while the U.S Standard takes longer due to the procedure being more intense.

   
   

   



5. Select Finish.
   Verify the correct drive is selected.
   Check the box next to Wipe the selected paritions irreversibly.
   Click Proceed.
   
   

   



6. Wait for the process to complete 100%.
   It can take a few minutes or hours based on the size of the drive and format type.

WD Drive Utility for External Drives (Not a true low-level format)

WD Drive Utilities can be used to format a drive on Windows and macOS.

This is not a true low-level format.

Critical: The process is Data Destructive and cannot be undone. ALL THE DATA ON THE DRIVE WILL BE LOST!

• Direct Attached Storage (DAS) Drives: My Book, My Book for Mac, My Book Duo, My Book Pro, WD Drive, WD Drive Plus, WD easystore Desktop, WD easystore Portable, My Passport works with USB-C, My Passport, My Passport for Mac, My Passport Ultra, My Passport Ultra for Mac, My Passport Ultra (USB-C), My Passport Ultra for Mac (USB-C), My Passport Go, My Passport Air, My Passport Ultra Metal, WD Elements SE, WD Backup Drive Desktop
• Drives not listed are above not supported.
• Drive Diagnoses S.M.A.R.T. test does not support SSD.
• Attach a Supported WD Drive message.
  
  Need more help?
  Answer ID 6265: Attach a Supported WD Drive Message in WD Security & WD Drive Utilities

1. Download and Install WD Drive Utilities for Windows or macOS.
   
   
   • WD Drive Utilities for Windows
   • WD Drive Utilities for macOS
   
   Need more help?
   $EN_ANSWER_ID_50396


2. Click Drive Erase.
   
   
   

   

   
   
3. Read the warning message.
   Check the I Understand box.
   Click Erase Drive.
   
   

   

   
   
   

   

   
   

Windows 10 and 11 Disk Management (not a true low-level format)

Windows Disk Management can be used to format a drive.

This is not a true low-level format.

Critical: The process is Data Destructive and cannot be undone. ALL THE DATA ON THE DRIVE WILL BE LOST!

1. Type Disk Management in the search bar.
   Click Create and format hard disk partitions.
   
   

   

   
   
2. Select the drive to erase.
   Right-click the bar.
   Click Delete Volume.
   
   

   

   
   


3. Format the drive.
   
   Need more help?
   Answer ID 8200: Steps to Format a Drive for Use with Windows or macOS