Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsYes. BleachBit is a documented alternative to CCleaner’s free-space wipe: its Windows version includes “Wipe empty space,” and its command-line interface offers --wipe-empty-space. It is most useful for a conventional hard disk drive (HDD). On a solid-state drive (SSD), wear leveling means a software overwrite cannot reliably target every physical cell that may hold old data.
Which alternative fits your goal?
| Option | Best fit | What it does—and does not do |
|---|---|---|
| BleachBit “Wipe empty space” | Overwriting free space on an HDD | Writes over available space where deleted-file remnants may remain. It can be slow and cannot reach remapped sectors; SSD results are less dependable. BleachBit’s documentation explains the limitations. |
| Windows Optimize Drives | Routine Windows optimization, including SSD TRIM | For SSDs, optimization sends TRIM information to the drive; it is not a dedicated secure-erasure feature. Microsoft’s explanation of drive optimization. |
| Windows Storage Sense or Cleanup recommendations | Freeing storage by removing selected unnecessary files | These tools manage files and reclaim space; they do not claim to securely overwrite remnants of files already deleted. See Storage Sense and freeing drive space in Windows. |
| Manufacturer secure-erase method or physical destruction | Sanitizing an SSD for transfer or disposal, according to the required assurance | Choose a procedure designed for the specific drive and risk. A general-purpose cleaner cannot promise to sanitize hidden or remapped SSD areas. BleachBit’s SSD guidance discusses these approaches. |
Why the drive type changes the answer
HDD: free-space overwriting can be useful
On a conventional HDD, wiping free space is a reasonable way to overwrite areas where deleted files may have been stored, without erasing files that are still in use. BleachBit is free and open source, supports Windows and Linux, and provides this feature. Its documentation also cautions that no wiping method can guarantee removal from every physical or external copy.
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SSD: a cleaner cannot control every cell
SSDs use wear leveling to distribute writes across physical memory. The logical location exposed to Windows may not correspond to the cell that previously stored a deleted file; spare and remapped areas can also be outside a normal software overwrite’s reach. TRIM tells the drive which clusters are free so its firmware can perform cleanup, but it does not prove that every old copy has been erased immediately or completely.
Use BleachBit for an HDD
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Download BleachBit from its official site: bleachbit.org. Confirm that the target volume is an HDD before treating free-space wiping as a deletion-remnant measure.
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Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive | USB 3.0 (STGX2000400)- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
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Open BleachBit and select its “Wipe empty space” feature for the intended drive. The operation can take a long time, especially when there is substantial free space.
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Let the operation finish before relying on it. It overwrites available logical space, but it does not make a universal guarantee about remapped sectors, backups, copies on other devices, or every possible recovery method.
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Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX5000400), Black- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
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The command-line interface also documents --wipe-empty-space; consult the BleachBit command-line documentation for invocation details.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For an SSD, distinguish optimization from sanitization
Windows Optimize Drives is appropriate for routine optimization: for an SSD, Windows uses TRIM so the drive knows which clusters can be cleaned up when idle. It is not equivalent to proving deleted data is unrecoverable. If the goal is simply to reclaim space, use Storage Sense or Cleanup recommendations to remove files you no longer need.
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- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
If you are transferring or retiring an SSD and need to sanitize it, use a method appropriate to the drive and the sensitivity of the data. BleachBit’s documentation points to full-drive encryption established before use, the manufacturer’s secure-erase command, or physical destruction for the highest-stakes cases. NIST describes sanitization in terms of making access to target data infeasible for a specified level of effort; its current cited guidance is SP 800-88 Rev. 2.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose based on what you need
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Want to overwrite deleted-file remnants on an HDD? BleachBit’s free-space wipe is a documented alternative.
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Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0, 1-Year Rescue- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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Want more room for files? Use Windows Storage Sense or Cleanup recommendations; secure wiping is not needed just to reclaim space.
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Need to prepare an SSD for someone else or dispose of it? Do not rely on ordinary free-space wiping or TRIM as proof of sanitization. Follow a drive-specific secure-erase procedure or select another method that matches the risk.
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