Windows
Linux
System & Storage
Disk Maintenance
Windows cipher /w free space equivalent in Linux
Zeros unused blocks on a supported unmounted filesystem.
Windows
→
cipher /w free space
Linux equivalents
sudo zerofree /dev/sdXn
sudo zerofree /dev/sdXn
sudo zerofree /dev/sdXn
Overview
What this command does
Zeros unused blocks on a supported unmounted filesystem.
Migration tip: Check the distro-specific rows before copying; package names and service names can differ even when the tool name is similar.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Zero free space
Zeros unused blocks on a supported unmounted filesystem.
sudo zerofree /dev/sdXn
Zero free space
sudo --help
Show command help when supported
man sudo
Open the manual page when installed
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
sudo zerofree /dev/sdXn
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows equivalent: cipher /w free space
sudo zerofree /dev/sdXnReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
sudo zerofree /dev/sdXn | Zero free space |
sudo --help | Show command help when supported |
man sudo | Open the manual page when installed |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
The equivalent is shown for Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch. Some rows use a different package manager or helper tool where Linux distributions commonly diverge.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | apt package: zerofree | sudo zerofree /dev/sdXn |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | dnf package: zerofree | sudo zerofree /dev/sdXn |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | AUR/extra tool or use filesystem-native methods | sudo zerofree /dev/sdXn |
Same command on this distribution. |
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