Windows 10: How do I return an external backup hdd to its original new state?

I have a backup hdd that is currently has 4 partitions as shown below
What partition software can return it to a 1.8 TB to its original state as purchased
showing no partitions but instead 1.8 of unallocated space?

:)

 

Where do I find to select the drive to create a backup

So I've bitten the bullet and bought a new PC (Hard & Software upgrade from XP). A I like to ensure I have good and Multiple backups of computer data (inc. OS, Apps etc) I have used the backup tool to create backups on serveral external (USB) hard drives
(HDD). And there is the problem I have.

When I go back to the backup tool (Backup and Restore (Win7)) recovery page the only HDD that is listed is the first drive I created a backup on. How do I change the location to the other external HDDs?

I have tried the option in the 'Restore' area of the page to 'Select another backup...' but that does not find any of the external drives.

Machine is a DELL loaded as W10 from factory with UEFI bios.

How do I resolve this problem?

Original title: Win10 Backup Drives

 

My external HDD is not detected by my desktop after windows 10 update?

My external HDD is not detected by my desktop after windows 10 update? I tested my HDD on other computers and its working fine.

What is the cause of this problem and how do I fix this?

Original Post :External HDD

 

As you have probably discovered, Disk Management won't let you delete that recovery partition.

From a Command prompt (Admin) use DISKPART

At the DISKPART> prompt, list the disks to identify the disk number to use, then...

Code: DISKPART> LIST DISK Disk ### Status Size Free Dyn Gpt -------- ------------- ------- ------- --- --- Disk 0 Online 465 GB 0 B Disk 1 Online 931 GB 0 B DISKPART> SELECT DISK 1 Disk 1 is now the selected disk. DISKPART>CLEAN[/quote] The CLEAN command removes all partition info from the selected disk (obviously I didn't hit return when generating the above example using my own ext HDD *Smile)

Once cleaned, the disk will appear as 'unallocated'. You can use the Diskpart command CREATE PARTITON PRIMARY to create a partition using the whole available space, or use you usual tool of choice.

It's not a forensic clean, so it won't securely erase the disk, just removes all partitions. If you need to do that, use CLEAN ALL but it will take quite some time to complete.

Code: DISKPART> help clean Removes any and all partition or volume formatting from the disk with focus. Syntax: CLEAN [ALL] ALL Specifies that each and every byte\sector on the disk is set to zero, which completely deletes all data contained on the disk. On master boot record (MBR) disks, only the MBR partitioning information and hidden sector information are overwritten. On GUID partition table (GPT) disks, the GPT partitioning information, including the Protective MBR, is overwritten. If the ALL parameter is not used, the first 1MB and the last 1MB of the disk are zeroed. This erases any disk formatting that had been previously applied to the disk. The disk's state after cleaning the disk is 'UNINITIALIZED'. Example: CLEAN DISKPART>[/quote]

 

Bree's solution is straightforward and effective.

An additional option for future reference: Since you now have MiniTool Partition Wizard as evidenced in one of the many threads you have open around this (I assume related) issue, you can simply use it to remove partitions also.

 

Or since you are in the Disk Management, right click the G: drive and the Recovery partition and Delete them, until the whole drive is Unallocated Space.

 

Recovery partitions are usually protected in Disk Management, the only option with a right-click is 'Help'.