How to Delete a Hard Drive on Linux

Make sure you have your data backed up before you delete a hard drive.

The hard drive of a computer is where all the memory is stored and software is installed. Deleting a hard drive will format it. The purpose of deleting or formatting is to erase all the data on a hard drive. Linux is a popular open source operating system. With it being open source, it is free to use for as long as you want to use it. While there are thousands of versions of Linux, the process for deleting the hard drive is the same in most versions.

Instructions

1. Turn on your computer and launch the terminal. Do this by pressing "CTRL + ALT + F1" on your keyboard.

2. Type in the command "cd /dev" and hit the "Enter" key. Next, type in the command "ls sd*" and press the "Enter" key. This will list all hard drives attached to the computer.

3. Figure out which hard drive you want to delete, and then type in the command "sudo cfdisk /dev/__" where "__" is the name of the hard drive you want to delete. After you've entered that command, press the "Enter" key.

4. Wait for the terminal to launch the partition table. When it appears, use the arrow keys to move over to the word "Delete" and press "Enter."

5. Type "Yes" and hit "Enter" when the computer asks if you're sure you want to delete the hard drive. Linux will now delete your hard drive.

References

• YouTube: Computer Software Tips: How to Format a Hard Drive in Linux