Forum Discussion
How to delete all partitions in windows 11?
Got a refurbished HP laptop (ProBook 650 G5) and it is currently running Windows 11. I want to do a clean wipe and reinstall Windows 11 os for safety reason as I am afraid virus/malware from it. When I checked the internal hard drive, there are 5 different partitions on it. How can I delete all partitions in windows 11 so I can create new partitions for os and personal data.
By the way, the laptop is fully compatible with Windows 11. Specs:
- Processor: Intel Core i5-8265U
- Memory: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Display: 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080)
5 Replies
- ReedHudsonIron Contributor
Using diskpart to delete all partitions in Windows 11 is powerful—but it comes with risks and limitations that may make it unsuitable for casual or inexperienced users. Here are the main reasons why you might not want to use diskpart.
1. No Undo or Confirmation Prompts
diskpart executes destructive commands like clean immediately without confirmation or the ability to undo. If you select the wrong disk and run clean, you'll permanently lose all partitions and data—even before realizing the mistake.
2. Complex and Risky for Beginners
Unlike graphical tools, diskpart has no visual interface, making it easy to misidentify disks. Beginners can easily:
- Select the wrong disk (select disk X)
- Confuse clean with clean all
- Delete the system drive by accident
3. No Data Recovery or Preview
diskpart does not warn about what's inside a partition, nor does it offer a preview. Once executed, all partitions and file systems are immediately wiped, making recovery difficult without specialized software.
Use diskpart only to delete all partitions on Windows 11 without losing data if you're confident and need full manual control like when scripting disk setup, prepping drives for OS deployment, or working in recovery mode.
- VirginiaCavalierIron Contributor
How to delete all partitions Windows 11? Okay. To perform a complete wipe of your hard drive and delete all partitions on your HP ProBook 650 G5 running Windows 11, follow these steps carefully. This process will erase everything on the drive, so ensure you have backed up any important data beforehand.
1. Follow the instructions to create a bootable USB drive.
2. Boot from USB:
Insert the USB into your laptop.
Restart the laptop and press the Esc or F9 key (or the key specific to your device) to access the Boot Menu.
Select the USB drive to boot from it.3. Start Windows Setup:
When the Windows Setup screen appears, choose your language and preferences, then click Next.
Click Install Now.4. Access Disk Options:
When prompted for a product key, enter it if you have one or click I don't have a product key.
Accept the license terms.
Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).5. How to delete all partitions Windows 11:
You'll see a list of all existing partitions.
Select each partition and click Delete.
Confirm deletion when prompted.
Continue deleting until all partitions are gone, leaving only Unallocated Space.6. Install Windows:
Select the unallocated space and click Next.
Windows will create new partitions automatically and proceed with the installation. - FirozaYasminIron Contributor
diskpart is a command-line disk partitioning utility included in Windows operating systems, including Windows 11. It allows users to manage disks, partitions, and volumes with more control than the graphical Disk Management tool.
To delete all partitions in Windows 11 using the diskpart command, follow these steps carefully.
⚠️ This will erase all data on the selected disk, so make sure you've backed up any important files before proceeding.
1. Press Windows + S, type cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt > select Run as administrator.
3. Start diskpart utility and list all disks in Windows 11.
diskpart list disk
Identify the disk number you want to wipe (e.g., Disk 1, Disk 2).
4. Select the disk by replacing X with the correct disk number. Example:
select disk 1
5. Delete all partitions:
clean
This command removes all partitions and data on the selected disk.
Notes: The clean command performs a quick wipe as it deletes partition info but not the data blocks themselves. If you want to securely delete all partitions in windows 11, use 'clean all' command instead, which writes zeroes to every sector (this takes longer):
- WyomingCowboyIron Contributor
If you're planning to delete all partitions on Windows 11, yeah, there's definitely some stuff to watch out for. From what I’ve seen, deleting all partitions basically wipes everything on that drive—think of it like a clean slate. If you accidentally delete the wrong drive or partition, you could lose important data. Also, if you’re deleting your system or boot partition (the one Windows is installed on), your PC won’t be able to start up anymore until you reinstall Windows.
Here’s my informal take:
If you’re deleting all partitions on Windows 11 for a fresh start or to reformat the drive, make absolutely sure you’re selecting the correct drive. Double-check everything before hitting delete. I’ve seen folks accidentally wipe their main drive, and that’s a huge headache. Always, always back up anything important before you do this. Once you wipe it, recovering data can be a pain, and sometimes it’s impossible.
- MarylandCrabBronze Contributor
To completely delete all partitions on Windows 11, you can use the built-in Disk Management tool or the Command Prompt. Here's a step-by-step guide for both methods:
Note: Deleting all partitions will erase all data on the drive. Make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.How to delete all partitions Windows 11?
Using Disk Management
1. Open Disk Management
Press Windows + X and select Disk Management.
Or press Windows + R, type diskmgmt.msc, and press Enter.2. Identify the Disk
Locate the disk you want to delete partitions from (usually labeled as Disk 0, Disk 1, etc.).
Be very careful to select the correct disk, especially if you have multiple drives.3. Delete all Partitions on Windows 11
Right-click on each partition on that disk and select Delete Volume.
Confirm when prompted.
Repeat until all partitions are deleted and the disk shows as Unallocated.If you're planning to reinstall Windows or set up the disk anew, you can do so via Windows Setup or Disk Management.