How Delete All Partitions and Format It Again in Linux in Command

How can I erase an entire Linux deejay space? My difficult bulldoze is running out of infinite and I would like to wipe the disk of my Linux computer to create more storage.

If you also own a Linux organization, which is running on low disk space, so you might be facing a like situation. Although Linux is one of the most popular open up-source operating systems, it tin be a bit complicated at times. For instance, there is no direct solution to do a Linux format deejay using a defended GUI feature. Don't worry – you can nonetheless erase the disk on Linux with the help of the right commands. Read on and clear your Linux disk infinite past following this extensive guide.

Why Do We Need to Format and Wipe Linux Disk?

Before we get to know different means to format a disk on Linux, it is vital to empathise the reasons backside information technology. Ideally, at that place could exist the post-obit major reasons for wiping or formatting a disk on a Linux organization:

• If your system is running low on complimentary infinite, so you tin can choose to wipe the data of a partition or a deejay.
• Sometimes, a system can become slow by having express complimentary space. By formatting its Linux drive, yous tin can improve its operation equally well.
• If your system has been corrupted by malware, and so you can wipe the hard deejay of your Linux to resolve this.
• Mostly, users prefer to do a Linux format disk earlier reselling their systems. This helps themprotect their data.
• There could be an upshot with the firmware or the system storage, which can be stock-still later on wiping a Linux disk.

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How to Format a Linux Hard Drive?

Different Windows or macOS, there is not a dedicated disk management tool that tin help us division or format the disk. Therefore, we demand to have the help of certain commands to format a Linux disk. If yous are connecting your drive for the first time to your Linux system, and then you need to create a partitioning beforehand. To implement this, you can enter the fdisk command. In one case a partition is created, you tin can employ the "mkfs.ext4" command to format the disk. Here'southward a uncomplicated solution to format a disk on a Linux organisation.

Step 1Create a partition of the disk

Firstly, connect the deejay to your Linux organisation if y'all haven't already and launch the Terminal window on it. You can enter the following command to check it:

sudo fdisk –l.

Now, to create a partition, enter the control "fdsk" in the following format:

sudo fdisk /dev/sdb.

This will launch the results of the fdisk command. If you want, you lot can type "m" to get help. It volition display a list of the supported parameters. Yous can type "due north" to create a new sectionalization, "d" to delete the segmentation, "p" to bank check the partition tabular array, and so on.

Firstly, press "p" and enter to view the partition table. This will permit you know virtually the disk identifier and the sector infinite. Afterward, enter the "northward" command to create a new partition. You will be given an choice to create a primary or an extended sectionalisation. Printing "p" to create a new primary partition and give it a number from 1 to iv. If y'all want to create a single partition, then enter "1".

Pace 2Format the disk

Slap-up! One time you have created the relevant partitioning on your Linux system, y'all can format it by entering the command –

sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb.

This will make the arrangement await for the available partitions on the drive. When you are asked to confirm your choice, only press "y". After, await for a while equally the selected partitions would be formatted on the Linux system.

Footstep iiiMount the file organisation (optional)

If you desire, you tin mountain the file system likewise. To exercise this, y'all can use the "mkdir /data" command to make a directory. After that, terminate the following command to mount it:

mount /dev/sdb1 /data.

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How to Wipe a Hard Drive on Linux?

If you lot are planning to resell your system or are concerned about your privacy, and so you should consider wiping the drive instead. Unlike formatting a disk, wiping information technology will erase the information and make the recovery process harder than before. Thankfully, there are multiple commands to exercise Linux wipe the disk. Here are some simple solutions to wipe a hard drive on Linux.

onewipe

As the name suggests, the command is used to wipe data from a magnetic disk. Though, a lot of Linux systems do non have the command readily installed. In this case, you tin can employ the apt install command first.

# apt install wipe.

One time information technology is done, just use the "wipe" command in the format - wipe [options] target. For instance, to wipe a partition, simply enter the command:

# wipe /dev/sda2

Ostend your choice, by entering "yeah" and expect as the selected partition would be wiped.

twoshred

This is one of the best ways to protect your private data on a Linux system. Ideally, this works every bit a dedicated shredder – that would overwrite your data with something else, making the recovery process harder. This Linux based command has the following syntax:

shred [option] target

As yous know, "target" would specify the location you wish to shred. Information technology can be a sectionalisation, folder, or file proper name. Subsequently, it can accept the post-obit options.

• -n: To overwrite data "n" times
• -f: To change permission and allow the writing operation
• -u: Truncates the files later on shredding them
• -s: To provide the size to shred
• -u: To remove the file subsequently shredding
• -v: To enable the verbose mode
• -z: To add zeros to the terminal overwriting process

Therefore, yous tin wipe the Linux disk, past entering a command similar this:

# shred -vfz -n x /dev/sda2.

This will follow 10 passes of overwriting on the provided location, making it impossible for a recovery tool to retrieve data from it.

3dd

If you are running short on time, so consider using the "dd" command to erase disk on a Linux system. Instead of generating random data, it will overwrite the entire disk with strings of zeros. Therefore, it volition take less time to wipe the disk and protecting your information. Although, it provides certain options that you tin can apply to customize the procedure.

dd if=source of=target [Options].

Brand sure that you run the command prompt and as a super-user. Here's a uncomplicated demonstration of the aforementioned.

# dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda2 bs=512 count=i.

The command will overwrite the target location with a string of zeros, as specified in the source. Also, this volition copy 512 bytes in a single count. I of the major advantages of this is the time taken past the dd command is bottom than shred.

ivscrub

Lastly, you tin also accept the assistance of the "scrub" control to overwrite your deejay with specific patterns. Sometimes, the patterns can be randomly generated by the system too. Since the command is not present in every Linux system by default, you lot might need to install it first. To do this, you can utilise the apt install command.

One time it is done, just enter the command in the post-obit syntax:

scrub [pick]target.

Even if you don't provide an choice and only specifies the target location to wipe, the command will work. Though, you would exist asked to verify your selection to erase disk on Linux entirely. Here's a quick case of the same:

# scrub /dev/sda5.

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Tips for Formatting and Wiping Linux Deejay

After getting to know near these popular commands to create new disk infinite on Linux, you would certainly be able to format or wipe it. Too that, y'all can consider post-obit these tips to format or wipe the Linux disk successfully.

• Brand certain that y'all accept logged in as a super-user (ambassador) while wiping a deejay. This will make the entire process a whole lot easier.
• Not every command might exist installed on your system. Therefore, you tin consider checking its status or installing information technology beforehand.
• Although there are third-party applications available to shred and wipe a disk, it is recommended to utilize reliable commands. If you utilize a readily available tool, then make sure information technology is from a trusted source with a positive reputation in the industry.
• Always double-check the command before entering it (particularly the syntax and the location). One pocket-size mistake and you might end up causing irrevocable damage to your system.
• About chiefly, take a backup of your important files before wiping the Linux disk. This will make sure that you have a 2nd re-create of your vital data in accelerate.

Video Tutorial on How to Recover Information from Hard Disk After Disk Wipe

That'southward a wrap, folks! Now when you know how to format or wipe disk on Linux, y'all can easily meet your requirements. In example if you lot have accidentally deleted your information or take formatted a drive, then use a reliable information recovery solution similarWondershare Recoverit. Using information technology, y'all can merely attach your Linux device to a PC and later on excerpt the lost or inaccessible content from information technology. Become ahead and try some of these methods and feel free to share your shortcuts or tips in the comments below.

FAQs

What disk format does Linux use?

Linux is a very versatile operating system and has its own disk format which is EXT, which tin be presented in its EXT2, EXT3 and EXT4 versions. However, this is non the simply file arrangement that can be supported by this operating arrangement; FAT32 and NTFS systems are fully supported also as HFS.

Does a full format wipe data?

Not necessarily. Although the information volition not be accessible through Windows file explorer. This does not hateful that the information is not physically stored on disk even so. Formatting a deejay is equivalent to giving disk permission to overwrite where information previously was. Somewhen, the remainder data will be completely overwritten.

How do I wipe Linux and install Windows?

If you want to remove Linux and install Windows, the procedure is quite unproblematic. First, back up your information. Once y'all have washed this, you will need to insert your bootable DVD or flash drive that has the Windows installer on it. Then yous have to follow the steps and in the type of installation, yous will choose "custom", then you will erase the partition where Linux is installed and yous volition be able to install Windows.

Does formatting remove Bitlocker?

Every bit part of Windows security and protection mechanisms, BitLocker has been developed. For security reasons, BitLocker can only be removed by typing its password or, in case y'all forgot information technology, the recovery key. If y'all exercise not have any of them, it is suggested to format the device, since this process will delete all the information –including BitLocker— contained to reset all settings to the factory default.

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Source: https://recoverit.wondershare.com/harddrive-tips/format-and-wipe-linux-disk.html

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