How to Erase a CD RW

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: June 4, 2020 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to erase a readable and writable CD—or "CD-RW"—using your Windows or Mac computer. You cannot erase a read-only CD (CD-R).

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
On Windows

1
Insert the CD into your computer. It should go into your computer's disc tray label side-up.
2
Open Start
. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

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3
Open File Explorer
. Click the folder-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the Start window.
4
Click This PC. This computer-shaped option is on the left side of the File Explorer window, though you may have to scroll up or down in the left-hand sidebar to see it.
5
Select the CD drive. Click the CD drive icon, which looks like a grey hard drive with a CD behind it.
6
Click the Manage tab. It's in the upper-left side of the window. A toolbar will appear below it.
7
Click Erase this disc. This option is in the "Media" section of the Manage toolbar. A window will appear.
8
Click Next. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Doing so will prompt your CD to begin erasing.
9
Wait for the CD to finish erasing. You can track the erasing progress by watching the bar in the middle of the window.
10
Click Finish when prompted. It's at the bottom of the window. Your CD has now been erased.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
On Mac

1
Insert the CD into your Mac's external CD drive. Unless you have a pre-2012 Mac that has a built-in CD drive, you will need to use an external CD reader to erase your CD.
2
Click Go. It's a menu item in the upper-left side of your Mac's screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
- If you don't see Go in the menu bar, click the Finder or the desktop to make it appear.
3
Click Utilities. This option is near the bottom of the drop-down menu. Doing so opens a folder.
4
Double-click Disk Utility. You'll find this grey, hard drive-shaped app in the Utilities folder.
5
Select your CD's name. Click the CD's name on the left side of the window under the "Devices" heading.
6
Click the Erase tab. It's at the top of the Disk Utility window. The CD's properties window will open.
7
Click Completely. This option lets you completely erase the CD.
8
Click Erase. Doing so begins erasing your CD. This may take several minutes depending on how large the CD is.
- Once the process is complete, you'll receive a pop-up that says "You have inserted a blank CD", signifying that the CD is erased.
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Community Q&A

Question

What if my CD was formatted to be compatible with a CD player? I can't delete the data on the disc, and I tried the steps above, but it won't work.

Community Answer

When you "finalize" the CD to use in other players, it is no longer re-writable.
Question

Can I rewrite on a CD that I purchased with content on it?

Community Answer

Depends on what type of CD you have purchased. CD-R can't be rewritten while CD-RW can be rewritten.
Question

My "erase this disc" prompt has turned gray. How can I fix this?

Community Answer

If you have a CD-R, it doesn't work. You need a CD-RW in order for this to be re-written.
Question

How do I do this using Windows 7?

Community Answer

Double-click My Computer, right-click the CD icon, then click Format.
Question

How do I identify whether it is a CD-R or CD-RW?

Aditya Telang

Community Answer

All CD/DVDs will have it printed on the label. If your label is damaged or not visible, put the CD/DVD in the DVD drive. Right-click on the CD/DVD, then click Properties. You will see what kind of CD/DVD it is.
Question

What do I do if the option to erase my CD-RW disc is grayed out?

Aditya Telang

Community Answer

In that case, the CD is probably not CD-RW. Check on the CD specifically for "RW". If it's there, try to format your CD-RW from the system. It will delete data from the CD and make room for burning. If that does not solve your issue, try using a third-party DVD/CD burning software to format or delete data. If that also does not solve your concern, then it is time to replace the CD-RW.
Question

Does this work with movie DVD-Rs that I have created?

Aditya Telang

Community Answer

No. A DVD-R can be used to burn data just once. After that, it cannot be deleted or re-written.
Question

Is it possible to erase a CD-RW or DVD-RW?

Denneisk

Top Answerer

CD-RW and DVD-RW are both erasable and rewritable. You can erase and rewrite them as many times as you want until they wear out.

Warnings

CD-RWs will deteriorate over time as they are erased and rewritten. Check the packaging to find the CDs' estimated lifespan.

Thanks!
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