- Can't Erase Mac Hard Drive
- Erase Macbook Hard Drive
- Cannot Erase Usb Drive Mac
- Can't Erase Usb Drive Mac
- How To Erase Imac Hard Drive
Last updated on March 2, 2021
Usb drive won't let me delete files, how to delete file in usb that cannot be deleted?
Some Mac users may require the ability to erase a disk or erase a hard drive from the command line on Mac OS, a task which is typically performed through the Disk Utility application from the GUI. USB disk cannot be OFFLINED. Do the following; diskpart sel disk, diskpart attrib disk clear, Readonly, diskpart attrib disk. Now try to write a file to this disk and let me know if it works.
The Problem:
- Files could not be deleted from the pen drive;
- Cannot delete folder from flash drive
Flash drive won't delete files troubles and sometimes it won't be deleted even after reformatting the usb flash drive or usb disk. It seemed nothing could be done to it just like it draw some kind of magic to get it protected from any change. Wired?
There are several situations that files or folders are unable to be deleted on a USB flash memory stick.
- USB flash drive has write protection
- Pendrive has read-only attribution in property
- File/folder is labeled as read-only
- Pendrive is logically damaged
- Flash drive is totally damage on its chips
Method #1 - Remove write protection from usb flash drive
You need to turn off its write protection button if it was set to on protection mode that shows in the above photo.
Also read: 10 free tricks to remove usb drive write protection
Method #2 - Remove readonly attribution on its property using cmd
You may use diskpart to get the readonly property removed with the above steps.
Can't Erase Mac Hard Drive
Method #3 - Check every folder or even every file on your flash drive if it was set to read only
When there is one single file that was set to read-only mode, you won't be able to delete folder which includes this read-only file, neither it will fail to format the flash drive.
Also read: unable to format usb flash write protected
Pen Drive is logically damaged or has physical damage
When the memory stick is damaged logically, mostly it could be repaired when it is only with bad blocks. You may try the following method to get it fixed.
Method #4, Repair it with cmd diskpart
Type 'chkdsk /X /f USB drive letter', for example 'chkdsk /X /f H', when H is the drive letter of your flash stick.
Method #5, Repair damaged flash drive by Windows error-checking tool.
How to open it? => 'This PC' -> 'Right click flash drive' -> 'Properties'
Recommend: 8 Free Ways to Repair Corrupted USB Pen Drive
Is Formatting Deleting Files from USB Flash
Fl studio mac free. Some users may want to reformat their storage media by formatting it, however formatting is not permanently erasing and files could be retrieved after formatting flash drive.
How to Erase Files Permanently off Flash Drive
You may use the following erase tools to get files permanently deleted.
Erase Macbook Hard Drive
1. IM-Magic Partition Resizer Free
It is a free partition tool, which has the function of wiping disk. This freeware supports to wipe USB disk so that you can use it to clean USB flash drive and make all data unrecoverable.
And then assign a level of wiping method.
Cannot Erase Usb Drive Mac
Also read: 4 free flash drive eraser to remove data permanently
Related Articles
Yo just got a new external hard drive and want to use it on your Mac. However, the Mac OS does not allow you to write data to the drive. You may wonder how to reformat an external hard drive on Mac. Follow the tutorial below, you'll get everything covered.
- Bonus: How to Recover Data from Formatted External Hard Drive on Mac
Reformatting an external hard drive for use with Mac OSX is not as difficult as it might seem. In a few simple steps you are ready to go and can save your back-up files to the external drive, keeping your information safe and giving you peace of mind. Keep in mind that a MAC can generally read other file formats, but for the best performance and to create a bootable disk, formatting exclusively for MAC is required.
Part 1: Which File Format You Should Choose?
Before you begin formatting the drive, there are a few things to do. The most important, you should decide which format to use.
There are a few file formats you can use, but it depends on the purpose you want to use the drive for. Which one is right for your circumstance? We'll describe them here, you'll know your choice after reading the details.
APFS: This is the default file system in Macs with High Sierra. It is efficient and reliable. However, it won't be readable and usable on machines that are not running Mac High Sierra, and Windows or Linux PCs. What's more, it is compatible with SSD and flash storage devices only.
Mac OS Extended (Journaled/HFS+): If you didn't update your Mac OS to High Sierra, the default file system on your Mac shoule be Mac OS Extended. Mac OS Extended (encrypted) would be an ideal option if you probably carry your laptop or external drive here and there. You can encrypt it so that no one can access the contents on your drive.
Can't Erase Usb Drive Mac
MS-DOS FAT (aka FAT32): In addition to Mac, it can also be written and read by Linux and Windows. It enables you to regularly share files with your friends who own a PC. Nevertheless, this older file system is limited to no more than 4GB and there might be security issue and disk errors.
ExFAT: It is similar to ExFAT which can be read by both Windows and Mac, but it can store more than 4GB files.
NTFS: As the default file system in Windows, it can only read by Mac OS, writing to it is not available. Luckily, there are third-party tools to help you do so.
Part 2: Format External Hard Drive for Mac with Disk Utility
Formatting an external hard drive would erase everything on it. Hence, you must backup your important files before reformatting the drive if you want to save them. The easiest way is to drag it from one drive to another.
All is set, then you can go ahead to format the drive on your Mac. Disk utility - the MacOS utility application can help you with this. Just follow these steps below:
Step 1. Connect the external drive or the USB drive to the MAC.
Step 2. Start the Disk Utility, located under Applications > Utilities.
How To Erase Imac Hard Drive
Step 3. Find the name of the drive in the left side of the Utilities window and select it. And click Erase button.
Step 4. Follow on-screen prompts to choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) file system and allow the disk to format.
Bonus: How to Recover Data from Formatted External Hard Drive on Mac
In case you forgot to backup files before formatting the external drive. Here comes the cure - iMyFone AnyRecover - a one-stop solution to recover deleted, lost or formatted files from Mac.
Follow these simple steps using AnyRecover to get your files back!
Get Ready!
First, download and install AnyRecover, following on-screen prompts to accomplish the task.
AnyRecover 20% off Coupon Code: ANY-ART-D20
Don't miss the opportunity to get AnyRecover license at the lowest price on the market. Don't know how to apply it, check the instructions here:
Get Set!
- 1. After loading AnyRecover, plug your external hard drive into your Mac directly or via USB.
- 2. Next select the drive under 'External Removable Devices' tab, click 'Start' to begin scanning lost files on the drive.
Go!
- 1. AnyRecover takes a moment to scan your drive. Once done, it will list out all scanning results by file type.
- How to find the snipping tool on a mac. External hard drive for mac and windows format. 2. Double click a single file to preview it before recovery.
- 3. Select the files and press Recover to get them back.
What If?
What if my files were not found? Fear not. We can take this a step further. Enable 'Deep Scan' to try one more time, follow the steps above just as before to locate and recover your files.
It is plain to see that AnyRecover for Mac is a tool worthy of top shelf treatment in your arsenal of items that are used to defend, recover and keep your system up and running. Don't get caught without the file you need for that meeting or stumbling looking for baby photos that were stored on disk and suddenly 'hid' from your view. Allow AnyRecover to find and recover your lost files. AnyRecover is easy to use but provides sophisticated results that mean you know what you're doing!