How to delete MBR partition on external HDD

Anonymous
2025-06-04T19:22:35+00:00

Some time ago, I created a recovery station on an older HDD. Now I want to use the disk for backup instead and have tried to format it. It turns out that almost 100 MB is not available but still reserved for the MBR sector.

I cannot see this partition in disk management, cannot find it in Diskpart, and it seems completely inaccessible.

I am not a specialist in disk management and hope someone can help me or recommend a good third-party tool that can assist. I only want a partition where I can store documents, pictures, etc.

![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/121fbfb5-ce7c-4b64-a38f-b08ff439aaed?platform=QnAI appreciate any responses!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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Francisco Montilla 30,710 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-06-04T19:56:08+00:00

Hi Anita,

To remove that hidden recovery area and reclaim the entire disk, you can use the built-in DiskPart tool to wipe out all partitions and start fresh.

***First, make sure you have backed up anything still on that external drive, because this process will erase everything.

Then open Command Prompt as an administrator by typing "cmd" in the Start menu, right-clicking "Command Prompt", and choosing "Run as administrator". In the Command Prompt window, type one by one in order:

diskpart

list disk

Look at the list and identify which disk number corresponds to your external HDD by matching the size. Suppose it shows as "Disk 2".Then type

select disk 2

and press Enter. DiskPart will confirm that disk 2 is now selected. Next, type

clean

and press Enter. This “clean” command removes every partition and all formatting from that selected disk, including any hidden recovery partitions. Once DiskPart says the disk is clean, type

create partition primary

and press Enter to make a new full‐size partition covering the entire drive. After that, type

format fs=ntfs quick

and press Enter to format it as NTFS. Finally, type "exit" to leave DiskPart and again exit to close the Command Prompt. When you return to File Explorer, your external HDD should appear as a single, empty drive ready to store your documents and pictures.

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-06-05T10:24:05+00:00

    Thank you! Now it appears as normal.

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