How to Erase a Flash Drive Completely on PC or Mac

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An easy guide to wiping all data from a USB flash drive

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: November 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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Using Windows

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Using a Mac

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Using Secure Eraser (Windows)

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Do you want to clean your USB flash drive? When you format a USB flash drive, it will erase all data on the drive and allow you to rename it and select a new file system. You can format a USB flash drive using the built-in utilities on both Windows and Mac. However, formatting a flash drive using the standard methods may leave some residual data that can be recovered using specialized software. Disk Utility on Mac allows you to select a more secure deletion method to ensure no recoverable data remains. On Windows, you can use third-party software, like Secure Eraser, to securely erase a USB flash drive. This wikiHow article teaches you how to clean all the data off a USB flash drive on Windows and Mac.

Clean a USB Drive

On Windows, open File Explorer and right-click your USB drive. Click Format.
On Mac, open Disk Utility and select your USB Drive. Click Erase.
In any OS, use the menu options to select a file system and name your USB flash drive. Click the option to start formatting.
Select a secure formatting method to completely erase your USB drive on Mac. In Windows, use a third-party tool like Secure Eraser.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Windows

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1
Plug the flash drive into your PC. You can connect your flash drive to any working USB port on your computer. File Explorer should open automatically with the flash drive open.
- If File Explorer doesn’t open automatically, press Win + E to open it. You should see your flash drive listed in the menu to the left.
- The process described in this method will erase the files on your USB drive, but they might still be recoverable. To completely erase your USB drive in Windows, use the Secure Eraser method.
You should see it listed in the menu bar to the left. You can also find it under “Devices and Drives” under “This PC.”

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The Format window will appear.^{[1]
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Select a file system. Different operating systems use different file systems. Use the drop-down menu below “File system” to select the file system that is appropriate for your intended use. The options are as follows:^{[2]
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- NTFS: This is the primary file system used by Windows computers. Select this option if you plan on using your flash drive exclusively with Windows computers. NTFS is read-only on Mac computers and may not be recognized by other devices.
- FAT32: This file system is recognized by Windows, Mac, and Linux computers as well as other devices. This file system has the most compatibility with other devices. However, individual files are limited to 4GB, and the flash drive partition cannot exceed 2 TB. Select this option if you need compatibility with a wide variety of devices, including older computers, and you intend to store relatively small files.
- exFAT: This is an improved version of FAT32. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac. It can store files larger than 4 GB. However, it may not be recognized on some older devices. Select this option if you need to store large files and you need compatibility between Windows and Mac computers.
This is the name your flash drive will be given after it is formatted. Enter a name in the field below “Volume label.”
Clicking the checkbox next to “Quick Format” will perform a quick format. This will only take a few seconds. It removes files from your flash drive, but does not scan for bad sectors. Unchecking the option next to “Quick Format” will perform full format. This will remove all files and scan for bad sectors. This will take a little longer, but do a more comprehensive format.^{[3]
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It’s at the bottom of the window. A confirmation message will appear, letting you know that all data on the drive will be erased.^{[4]
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Click OK. Windows will now remove all of the data from your flash drive. You’ll see a message that says “Format Complete” once the drive is cleared.
- Do not remove the flash drive until it is finished formatting.
- Once your drive is finished formatting, click Ok to close the window. It is now safe to remove your flash drive.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Mac

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You can connect your flash drive to any working USB port on your computer.
It has an icon that resembles a disk drive with a stethoscope. You can find Disk Utility in the Utilities folder inside your Applications folder. You can also click the magnifying glass/spotlight icon on your desktop in the upper-right corner and search “Disk Utility.” Click the Disk Utility icon to open it.
It’s in the menu bar to the left.^{[5]
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It’s at the top of the window with an icon that resembles a disk drive with an “x” next to it. This opens the format window.
This is the name that will be given to the flash drive after it is formatted. Enter a name in the field next to “Name.”
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Select a format. Each computer operating system uses a different file format. Use the drop-down menu next to “Format” to select a file format that suits your intended use. Some of these options may not be available in all versions of macOS. The options are as follows:^{[6]
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- Apple File System (APFS): This is the default file system on the most recent versions of macOS (10.13 and later). This option is not compatible with Windows or older versions of macOS. Select this option if you intend to use your flash drive exclusively with recent versions of macOS.
  - You can also select APFS (Encrypted) to encrypt and password-protect your flash drive. Or, select APFS (Case-sensitive) to make the folders and files case-sensitive.
- Mac OS Extended: This is the file system that macOS used before APFS. Like APFS, it is not compatible with Windows computers. Select this option if you need your flash drive to be compatible with older versions of macOS (10.12 and earlier).
  - Like APFS, Mac OS Extended also has an Encrypted option to password-protect your flash drive, as well as a case-sensitive option.
- MS-DOS (FAT): This is the same as FAT32 on Windows. This file system is recognized by Windows, Mac, and Linux computers as well as other devices. This file system has the most compatibility with other devices. However, individual files are limited to 4GB, and the flash drive partition cannot exceed 2 TB. Select this option if you need compatibility with a wide variety of devices, including older computers, and you intend to store relatively small files.
- ExFAT: This is an improved version of FAT32. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac. It can store files larger than 4 GB. However, it may not be recognized on some older devices. Select this option if you need to store large files and you need compatibility between Windows and Mac computers.
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Select a security option (optional). When you format a drive using the standard quick method, it can leave residual data on the drive that can be recovered using forensic data software. Using a more secure method will make several passes to securely wipe all data on the drive so that it cannot be recovered. The more secure the method you select, the longer the format process will take. Use the following steps to select a security option:
- Click Security options in the lower-left corner.
- Use the slider bar to select how many passes you want to make.
- Click Ok.
It’s at the bottom-right corner of the window. A confirmation message will appear.
This confirms that you want to format the drive and removes all of the files from your flash drive.^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Secure Eraser (Windows)

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Download and install Secure Eraser. When you format a drive using File Explorer or Disk Management on Windows, it may leave residual data that can be reconstructed using certain forensic tools. If you want to wipe a flash drive securely so that no data is left over, you’ll need to use third-party software. Secure Eraser is a Windows program that is free for personal use. Use the following steps to download and install Secure Eraser:
- Go to the Secure Eraser download page.
- Click Download.
- Open this installation file in your Downloads folder.
- Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
Plug your USB flash drive into a free USB port on your PC or laptop.
It has an icon that resembles an eraser going through a shredder. Click the Secure Eraser icon in your Windows Start menu.
It’s the second option on the left side.
It’ll be listed in the box below “Name.” Click your USB drive to select it.
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Select a secure deletion method. To do so, click ▼ next to the “Start deletion” button in the lower-left corner. Select a deletion method from the drop-down menu. The higher the standard, the longer it will take to format your flash drive, but the more data will be destroyed.
- “US DoD 5220.22-M ECE” is the secure standard the US military uses. “Peter Guttman standard” is the highest method available.
This confirms you want to wipe your USB flash drive and start erasing it.^{[8]
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