Manage-bde: WipeFreeSpace
Applies To: Windows Storage Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows 8
Wipes the free space on the volume removing any data fragments that may have existed in the space. Running this command on a volume that was encrypted using the “Used Space Only” encryption method provides the same level of protection as the “Full Volume Encryption” encryption method. For examples of how this command can be used, see Examples.
Syntax
manage-bde –WipeFreeSpace|-w [<Drive>] [-Cancel] [-computername <Name>] [{-?|/?}] [{-help|-h}]
Parameters
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
<Drive> |
Represents a drive letter followed by a colon, a volume GUID path, or a mounted volume. |
-Cancel |
Cancels a wipe of free space that is in process. |
-computername |
Specifies that Manage-bde.exe will be used to modify BitLocker protection on a different computer. You can also use -cn as an abbreviated version of this command. |
<Name> |
Represents the name of the computer on which to modify BitLocker protection. Accepted values include the computer's NetBIOS name and the computer's IP address. |
-? or /? |
Displays brief Help at the command prompt. |
-help or -h |
Displays complete Help at the command prompt. |
Examples
The following example illustrates using the -w command to create wipe the free space on drive C.
manage-bde -w C:
The following example illustrates using the -w command with the –cancel parameter to cancel the wipe the free space on drive C.
manage-bde -w -Cancel C: