Wondershare Recoverit

File Recovery

  • Recovers deleted or lost files effectively, safely and completely.
  • Supports data recovery from 500+ data loss scenarios, including computer crash, partition loss, accidental human error, etc.
  • Supports 1000+ file formats recovery with a high success rate and without any quality loss.
Free Download Free Download Free Download Learn More >
file recovery

How to Erase/Clear SD Card Efficiently

Wondershare Recoverit Authors

Dec 06, 2024 • Filed to: SD Card Solutions • Proven solutions

Hey! I am Edward and am here to ask a question. I use Windows 10 and want to know how to clear an SD card. Is there anyone who could help me with some helpful solutions? I will be highly obliged! Any suggestion is welcomed. Thank you in advance.

Despite its tiny size, an SD card is an extremely helpful device and indeed helps us carry a huge size of data. However, as the above user mentioned, a lot of times there comes a situation where you need to erase the SD card.

Before you ponder over the best way to do it, we are here to help you. Read this article carefully to know exactly how to delete files from the SD card. Let us now move further with the potential ways without any further ado.

Part 1: Why Do We Need to Erase or Clear An SD Card?

There could be your reason why you have to erase the SD card. But we have figured out some points and listed below why you may want to do it. Have a look!


Part 2: How to Erase An SD Card on Windows 10

Now that you know the circumstances under which wiping the SD card becomes important, it is time to make you well-versed with how to delete the SD card. We are going to provide you 3 different methods you can apply if you are using Windows 10. Let us move further in three ways.

Tip 1: Wipe an SD card in Windows Explorer

One of the ways that can help you to erase the SD card in Windows Explorer. This can be the easiest way and you will be able to get results in no minutes. Here is how to wipe an SD card through this method.

Step 1: Simply connect your SD card with the computer to initiate the process.

Step 2: Either double click on "This PC" or press the "Windows + E" keys together now. This will open the Windows Explorer window.

Step 3: You will be able to see the drives including your SD card under the Removable Drive option.

Step 4: Right-click your SD card and hit on the "Format" option. Hit on "Format" again to confirm the erasure of the SD card and you are good to go!

clear sd card windows explorer

Tip 2: Erase SD Card in Disk Management

Another way to delete the SD card is Disk Management. It is a disk partitioning tool in Windows that was originated in Windows 2000. The major tasks Disk management can help in are creating partition, formatting partition, shrinking it as well as basic to dynamic disk conversion. The feature is simply supported by Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 7, 8, and 10. Also, you can perform a full format with the help of it. Now, let us know how you can do this.

How to clear an SD card using Disk Management

Step 1: First of all, you need to access Disk Management Windows 10. For this, simply right click on the Start menu and choose "Disk management" from the menu.

Alternatively, you can press the Windows key along with the R key on your keyboard. Now, the run box will appear where you have to type in "msc". Press the Enter key right after that to access Disk Management.

Step 2: You can now perform the formatting on your SD card. Simply select the partition on the SD card in the first place.

Step 3: Next, all you need is to right-click on it and pick out the "Format" option.

disk management

Step 4: You now need to give the partition label, file system as well as the Allocation unit size in the pop-up box. Also, you can notice a small checkbox near "Perform a quick format". Uncheck it to further the process and hit on "OK".

hit ok on disk management

Step 5: Again hit on "OK" to confirm your action and your SD card will be erased instantly.

disk management to erase

Tip 3: Use DiskPart in Command Prompt to clean SD card

The last method to delete the SD card that we would like to offer you is taking the help of DiskPart in the command prompt window. Although a potential solution, you may find this a little bit complex if you are not a pro in computers. Therefore, please read the steps carefully and you will be able to achieve what you want. Have a look at the steps below.

How to delete SD card with DiskPart

Step 1: Following the steps mentioned above, open Disk Management to start the process. Now, search for the SD card of yours to be erased. Make sure to keep the disk number on the computer in mind.

Step 2: After this, you need to right-click on the Start button on your PC and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)"/"Windows Powershell (Admin)". This will bring out the command prompt window. In case you are using Windows 7, ensure to click on the Start button and type in "cmd" in the search box. Right-click on "cmd.exe" and hit on "Run as administrator".

run as administrator

Step 3: In the command prompt window, key in "diskpart" and hit on the Enter key on the keyboard.

enter diskpart

Step 4: Next, please type list disk and hit the Enter key after that. This will bring the list of all the disks available on your computer. Now, notice the disk number which is the same as your SD card size.

type list disk

Step 5: After this, key in "Select disk #". Here the # is the SD card's disk number that you could see in Desk management. Press the Enter key subsequently.

select disk #

Step 6: You can now type "clean" and hit on the Enter key.

type clean

Step 7: As soon as the process gets completed, you will see "DiskPart succeeded in cleaning the disk". You can now type "exit" and press the Enter key to close the command prompt.

cleaning the disk


Part 3: How to Erase An SD Card Through Android Phone?

You have learned three ways of erasing the SD card. Now, it is time for an Android device. What if you wish to delete the SD card on your Android device? Fret not as here in this section, we are going to mention the steps for the same. Let's begin with the process. Please note that the options may slightly differ because of your different Android devices. But don't get panicked, hunt a little and you will be able to find the right option yourself.

Step 1: To start, open "Settings" on your Android device.

Step 2: Scroll down and look for the "Storage" option. Tap on it and you can see the space left as well as what content is eating up space in your device.

Step 3: Move to the bottom of the list of storage and see the SD card options. A few options are available from which we have to choose "Erase SD Card" or "Format SD Card" as per the availability of the option.

clear sd card android

Step 4: You will be asked to confirm your actions. Simply go ahead by tapping the required button and this is how to delete SD card through an Android device.


Bonus Tip: How to Recover Data from SD Card Erased Accidently

After learning how to delete the SD card, we are giving you a bonus tip. If anytime or due to an accident, you lose any of your important files from your SD card, you should trust Recoverit Data Recovery. This tool is designed to save you from any data loss and is completely easy to use. It works for both Windows and Mac operating systems. 3 steps to get your Memory card files back for free. Here are the features of the tool.

Key Features:

Video Tutorial on How to Format an SD Card on Mac and Windows?

Recent Videos from Recoverit

View More >

Steps to Recover Data from Erased SD Card

Step 1: Download the program on your computer and install it. Once done, get your SD card connected to the computer and make it detected. Start Recoverit now.

Step 2: Now, you need to choose the SD card as the target location. Once done, click on the "Start" button to go ahead.

choose a location to start sd card data recovery

Step 3: The selected external device i.e. your SD card will be scanned by the program. You need to wait for some moments to let the scanning finished.

scanning lost data from sd card

Step 4: When the scanning is finished, you can simply preview the files from the results. When you find the needed file, click on it and hit the "Recover" button. Save the recovered file in another location.

preview recovered file

Conclusion

This was all about wiping the SD card. We shared with you some tips on how you can delete SD cards on your PC as well as Android device. On a plus, we have provided an effective tool that can help you recover data from your deleted SD card. We hope that you liked our efforts and we could help you clear your doubts. We would like you to share your experience with us.

Recoverit author

Eleanor Reed

staff Editor

Home > Resources > SD Card Solutions > How to Erase/Clear SD Card Efficiently