How to Delete All Files from a Rewritable CD

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Quickly erase everything from a CD-RW on any computer
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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

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    It should go into your computer's disc tray label side-up.
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    Click the folder-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the Start menu, or press Windows key + E .
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    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.
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    Click the CD drive icon, which looks like a grey hard drive with a CD behind it.
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    It's in the upper-left side of the window. A toolbar will appear below it.
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    This option is in the "Media" section of the Manage toolbar. A window will appear.
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    It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Doing so will prompt your CD to begin erasing.
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    It's at the bottom of the window. Your CD has now been erased.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

On Mac

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    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.
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    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.
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    This option is near the bottom of the drop-down menu. Doing so opens a folder.
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    You'll find this grey, hard drive-shaped app in the Utilities folder.
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    Click the CD's name on the left side of the window under the "Devices" heading.
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    It's at the top of the Disk Utility window. The CD's properties window will open.
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    This option lets you completely erase the CD.
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    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.
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Community Q&A

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  • 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
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    Not Helpful 5 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
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    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
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      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.
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      • 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.
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      Warnings

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

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