Computer file wiping

Click " Permanently Delete " button on the popped-up window. In order to completely delete the file, the application will refill hard drive sectors taken by the file during deletion. By default, it overwrites data by filling zeros which can be modified to random data as well.

Click " Delete " button to confirm the action to be done. Case 4: Erase deleted files only without affecting existing data. Erasing free space on hard drive overwrites lost files, which does not disturb existing files on the disk. This solution applies to those who just want to overwrite lost files only in order to make lost data unrecoverable. Select characters to overwrite disk space and click " Erase " button.

The application starts cleaning unused disk space, which takes long time if free space is very larger. Physically destroying a hard drive is also a solution to ensure data is forever unrecoverable. If you are not going to reuse or recycle your hard drive, you can try this solution to clean data.

Use a screwdriver to remove all screws on the hard drive case. Then you'll be able to remove enclosure and the main circuit board. Remove platters and heads out of hard drive enclosure, and use a hammer to hit platters. Then repeatedly strike other components. Box up all components and throw them to garbage can. This article talks about three methods regarding how to wipe a hard drive, SD card or removable disk, helping to make sure sensitive data can be erased safely and completely.

Files erased by these methods are no longer available for data recovery , thus please make sure important files have been backed up to somewhere else before erasing any storage media. If you feel this article useful, please share it to help more people. If you have better solutions or any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us please. DiskGenius - A free disk eraser that can permanently wipe a hard drive or SD card sector by sector. DiskGenius is professional data recovery software and it can help you get back lost files or partitions and recover RAW drive with ease.

Learn More. Partition Manager. Disk Utilities. Beyond your imagination DiskGenius can do more! Summary How do you permanently erase data so that it cannot be recovered? When it comes to changing hard drive or giving away a computer, simply deleting files or formatting the hard drive is not enough to ensure privacy, as data recovery software makes it possible to recover lost or deleted data easily.

Being the case, you can follow solutions in this article to permanently erase all data on computer hard drive to ensure your personal data can be well protected. Table of Contents Overview on wiping a hard drive in Windows 10 What to do before wiping a hard drive? If you view tech forums or comminutes online, you can see lots of users looking for an easy way to clean storage devices, and here is one of them: "What is the best way to clean the hard drive of my laptop?

How does hard disk wiping works? What to do before wiping a hard drive? Download and install hard drive wipe software. If you plan to clean hard disk on your own, a disk wipe tool is necessary. You should select one easy-to-use and effective tool for the task. If you want to wipe the entire computer, you should make sure the software can work on bootable drive.

Ensure battery is full. Special software programs can permanently erase your hard drive. Similarly, no one else will be able to use data recovery software to recover your files. Most programs run a low-level format that overwrites all the deleted files with zeros and other incomprehensible data. This makes it impossible for data recovery software to recover the files.

This includes all personal files, operating systems, and installed programs. Most products offer proof of erasure. Some even provide information about what was done to the drive and its data. This helps when wiping a company laptop or PC. If you want to double-ensure your hard drive is wiped, you can take additional measures. For instance, you can physically wipe the drive. Just remove your hard drive and take a rare earth magnet to it.

Another option? Physically dismantle it with a screwdriver. A rare earth magnet, like the neodymium magnet, can be used to deform the metal plates in the hard disk.

This makes it unusable. One warning: The magnets are powerful and can cause physical harm if used incorrectly. A safer method might be using a screwdriver to dismantle the pieces of the hard drive to make it useless. But when you discard your device without properly wiping the hard drive, you run the risk of losing your data. They could sell the information on the dark web.

Cybercriminals can buy the information and launch cyberattacks to commit other kinds of crimes like identity theft and extortion. They could open bank accounts in your name, purchase items with your credit card information, or take out loans and default on them, leaving you with the consequences. Thieves also look for private and confidential information. This may include non-disclosure agreements, personal photographs, private chat conversations, and other details you may not want to expose.

No matter what kind of data you had on your computer before you decided to donate or recycle it, it pays to play it safe. Share on twitter. Share on linkedin. Share on reddit. Share on pinterest. Share on whatsapp. Share on email. Share on skype. Table of Contents. Checking your bank accounts.

Keeping your financial, health, and other records along with letters or notes containing private information and conversations. Typing in dozens of passwords — and maybe even keeping a document of those passwords you were inclined to forget. Purchasing software that you will want to use on your new device, which you will need to remove from the old one so you can install it on your new one.

Follow these steps for a fool-proof deletion process that will keep your information safe: 1. The best thing is, it does not contain adware or malware. Let us check out some of its feature here. As already discussed, Disk Wipe is completely free to use and you can download it from the official website.

DBAN is widely used open — source data wiping software for personal use. You get the benefits of two with using DBAN. DBAN clearly claims that it does not provide any certificate of data removal from a drive and for this, you have request Blancco Drive Eraser Trial.

DBAN is completely free to use and recommended for personal use. On the other side, Blancco is recommended for business purpose and you can use its trial version. PCDiskEraser is another free application that wipe out hard drive permanently in the for of partition or completely. It is fast in process, easy to use and one of the best tool in its category. You do not worry if you have erased your data through PCDiskEraser.

It permanently deletes the information by actually overwriting all of the data on your hard drive. As already discussed, PCDiskEraser is completely free to use and you can download the latest version from the official website.

Super File Shredder keeps its place under top 10 best hard drive wipe software. The reason is its advanced security tool for Windows that removes all the data by overwriting it many times. All you need is to install this amazing application and remove all your sensitive data and stay with peace of mind.