How to Delete All Files from a Rewritable CD

PDF download Download Article
Quickly erase everything from a CD-RW on any computer
PDF download Download Article

Do you want to delete all of the files from a rewritable CD? As long as your PC or Mac has a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, it's easy to erase a CD-RW. This wikiHow teaches you how to erase a readable and writable CD—or "CD-RW"—using your Windows or Mac computer. You cannot erase a read-only CD (CD-R).

Things You Should Know

  • On Windows, open File Explorer, select your CD drive, and go to Manage > Erase this disc.
  • On a Mac, open Disk Utility, select your CD, and then click Erase.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

On Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It should go into your computer's disc tray label side-up.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the folder-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the Start menu, or press Windows key + E .
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This computer-shaped option is on the left side of the File Explorer window, though you may have to scroll up or down in the left-hand sidebar to see it.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-5-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-5-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-5-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-5-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the CD drive icon, which looks like a grey hard drive with a CD behind it.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the upper-left side of the window. A toolbar will appear below it.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This option is in the "Media" section of the Manage toolbar. A window will appear.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Doing so will prompt your CD to begin erasing.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's at the bottom of the window. Your CD has now been erased.
    9. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

On Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Unless you have a pre-2012 Mac that has a built-in CD drive, you will need to use an external CD reader to erase your CD.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/66\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/66\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-12.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's a menu item in the upper-left side of your Mac's screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
    • If you don't see Go in the menu bar, click Finder or the desktop first to make it appear.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This option is near the bottom of the drop-down menu. Doing so opens a folder.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-14.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll find this grey, hard drive-shaped app in the Utilities folder.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-15.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the CD's name on the left side of the window under the "Devices" heading.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-16.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's at the top of the Disk Utility window. The CD's properties window will open.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-17.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This option lets you completely erase the CD.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-18.jpg\/v4-728px-Erase-a-CD-RW-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Doing so begins erasing your CD. This may take several minutes depending on how large the CD is.
    • Once the process is complete, you'll receive a pop-up that says "You have inserted a blank CD", signifying that the CD is erased.
    9. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What if my CD was formatted to be compatible with a CD player? I can't delete the data on the disc, and I tried the steps above, but it won't work.
    Community Answer
    When you "finalize" the CD to use in other players, it is no longer re-writable.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 22
  • Question
    Can I rewrite on a CD that I purchased with content on it?
    Community Answer
    Depends on what type of CD you have purchased. CD-R can't be rewritten while CD-RW can be rewritten.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4
  • Question
    My "erase this disc" prompt has turned gray. How can I fix this?
    Community Answer
    If you have a CD-R, it doesn't work. You need a CD-RW in order for this to be re-written.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 20 Helpful 6
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If you don't have a CD drive for your Mac, you can buy an official one from Apple, or a third-party one online or in most tech stores.
        Thanks
      • Erasing a CD in this manner will not render the files on it completely unreadable—someone with advanced enough file retrieval software could feasibly find and view the erased files.
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • CD-RWs will deteriorate over time as they are erased and rewritten. Check the packaging to find the CDs' estimated lifespan.
        Thanks
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to Format a CD or DVD: Step-by-Step Tutorial for Windows & Mac
      How to
      Download a Movie and Burn It to a DVD
      How to
      Format DVD RW
      Easy Ways on Mac and Windows to Burn a CD
      How to Create an ISO from a Folder, File, or Disc
      How to
      Fix a Scratched CD
      How to
      Rip a DVD
      How to
      Fix a Scratched DVD
      How to
      Burn a DVD
      How to
      Copy a DVD Movie
      How to
      Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files
      How to
      Clean a DVD
      How to
      Clean a Dirty CD
      How to
      Burn Songs on to a CD
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Insert the CD.
      2. Open File Explorer.
      3. Click This PC .
      4. Click your optical disc drive.
      5. Click Manage .
      6. Press Erase this disc on the VCR.
      7. Click Next .
      8. Click Finish .

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 341,489 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Ann Jackson

        Jul 4, 2017

        "I am still new to using CDs. My son taught me how to make music ones. I thought, seeing that I no longer work, I ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement