- What to do to sanitize a drive:
- Delete data = data wipe
- Delete files and folders - See also: Delete
- Overwriting / Cleaning / Scrubbing
- Encrypt the drive (Microsoft BitLocker, etc.)
- Encrypt, Format, Encrypt again - The second encryption ensures your first encryption key - which is usually kept on the drive - is overwritten. Zealous decrypters could recover the key and decrypt your data. But with the second encryption they can only recover the second key, and since the older data are also encrypted, they still can't read it.
- Wipe Entire Disk Drive = Shred the Whole Volume = not just files and folders and free space.
- See DBAN for detailed step-by-step instructions.
- Format - After erasing all data, you will probably need to FDISK and then FORMAT if you want to leave your disk bootable.
- Fdisk = a command-line program used to create and delete partitions on the hard drive in earlier versions of MS-DOS and Windows.
- DiskPart, replacing its predecessor - fdisk, is a command-line utility that provides the ability to manage disks, partitions or volumes in your computer running all versions of the operating system since Windows 2000.
- Format
- Partition
- Install and Set up Windows (if necessary)
- Fdisk = a command-line program used to create and delete partitions on the hard drive in earlier versions of MS-DOS and Windows.
- Mechanical destruction
- If you don't want to physically destroy the hard drive (mechanical destruction), there are several software tools you can used to wipe out your data. They do a lot better job that a simple reformat.
- Drill holes in the drive, use an angle grinder to cut slots in the drive, power hammer .22 to drive nails
- Media Destruction Guidance - NSA/CSS
- Shredding services (for paper, hard drives, etc.) (<$10/drive)
- Paper Shredding Services & Document Destruction
- Electronics and Computer Recycling | Free Geek Vancouver - $10/drive - 1820 Pandora Street (E.Hastings & Victoria Dr), Vancouver, BC, ​Canada, V5L 1M5
- Delete data = data wipe
-
- BestVPN.com
- HowStuffWorks
- How to Wipe a Computer's Hard Drive | HowStuffWorks
- Windows10: Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Remove Everything > Remove files > Clean the drive > Next > Reset > Continue
- How to Wipe a Computer's Hard Drive | HowStuffWorks
- InfoWorld
- MakeUseOf
- NYTimes - $$
- PCMag
- How to Wipe Your Hard Drive | News & Opinion | PCMag.com
- See also: DiskWipe, PartedMagic
- Backblaze Dispels SSD Recycling and Disposal Myths | PCMag
- The answer to ensuring an SSD is never used again, according to Backblaze, is simply encryption. Perform a complete drive encryption using reputable encryption software, such as Apple's FileVault or Microsoft's BitLocker, and then forget the passphrase to decrypt it!
- How to Wipe Your Hard Drive | News & Opinion | PCMag.com
- PCWorld
- Popular Mechanics
- Popular Science
- TechRepublic
- How to securely donate old Windows 10 PCs - TechRepublic
- Back up all your data to another drive.
Windows 10 > Start Menu > Settings > Update & Security > Recover > Get Started > Remove everything > Install a clean version of Windows 10 > overwrite all unused portions of the disk (SDelete or some third-party deleting application)
- Back up all your data to another drive.
- How to completely and securely delete files in Windows - TechRepublic - Eraser, File Shredder, Freeraser
- How to securely donate old Windows 10 PCs - TechRepublic
- ZDNet
- How to really erase any drive -- even SSDs -- in 2016 | ZDNet
- The Secure Erase command built in to the ATA standard
- BitLocker | Full disk encryption is built into Windows - however this Windows encryption tool usually requires a system with a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip.
- Control Panel > System and Security > Bitlocker Drive Encryption
- 3-Step Process: Encrypt, Reformat, Encrypt again
- Standard drive format (but NOT the quick format option)
- Control Panel > Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management > select the drive to erase > New Simple Volume > use Windows wizard
- See Hardware solutions
- Drill, Nail, Hammer, Metal saw, etc.
- How to really erase any drive -- even SSDs -- in 2016 | ZDNet
- Easily wipe private data from old hard drives - YouTube
- Warning! - If you are using a laptop, make sure it is plugged in. The wiping process could take a long time.
- How to Completely Wipe All Data From Your Computer
- Active@KillDisk
- Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod)
- Blancco | Hard Drive & Disk Eraser Software - $$ only for business
- CMRR - Secure Erase
- DBAN
- DataEraser by OnTrack - $586/50 erasures
- Degaussing (using a magnet, like a bulk VHS tape eraser) will invalidate the warranty because it removes more than just your data from the disk.
- Degaussing - Wikipedia - demagnetizing - It would require a really, really strong magnet.
- It's an old myth that magnets will ruin the data stored on a hard disc, because floppy discs were prone to getting scrambled this way. But most modern hard drives are safe unless exposed to laboratory-grade degaussers. Flash storage like SD and CampactFlash memory cards are also not magnetic, so are safe from data loss caused by magnets.
- Disk Wipe - using USB flash drive - $0
- HDD Erase (= Secure Erase)
- KillDisk - Free download. - $0 or $60 (Pro version)
- OnTrack DataEraser - 50 erases for CDN$586 or $20/month
- PartedMagic - Partitioning, Cloning, Rescue, and Erasing. - $11
- Using Rufus & Using CMRR - Secure Erase
- Remo Drive Wipe | Wipe / Erase Hard Disk Drive Data Permanently - $0
- Remo also has many other utilities.
- Secure Erase = HDD Erase = CMRR
- ShredIt - File Shredder | Hard Drive Eraser | Mireth Technology
- Tolvanen/Heidi Computers Eraser
- Windows - Format & Cipher
- WipeDrive Home - WhiteCanyon Software - $0
- Wipe vs Shred vs Delete vs Erase: What's the Difference?
- Overwriting (computer science) - Wikipedia
- Multiple overwrites (data-erasing passes) with random ones and zeros make the old data much harder to recover, even with lab-quality forensic tools.
- Shredder programs often do what's called a free space wipe, which is a wipe of all the "empty" space on your hard drive.
- BitRaser File Eraser Software to Wipe & Recycle Hard Drive - CDN$44
- CCleaner - Wipe free disk space - $0
- CyberScrub - 15-day trial version or purchase for $30-$70. - Wipe free disk space.
- Drive eRazer - see Hardware solutions
- Eraser - Free secure data erase tool to wipe files on your hard drive - $0
- Erase files, folders, unused disk space
- Eraser | Get Eraser at SourceForge.net
- Eraser 5.3 (older version) - Download
- File Shredder - $0
- Freeraser - Softonic
- Hard Disk Scrubber - Secure Delete Utility - $0
- Norton ... - Norton Utilities - Norton SystemWorks
- For wiping files, folders, or free space - (select Government Wipe)
- Disk Wipe and Clean Software to delete and erase data, files or clean disk space
- R-Wipe&Clean - The utility wipes files and unused disk space - US$28.99 or 15-day fully-functional free trial
- SDelete = Secure Delete - Windows Sysinternals
- You can use SDelete both to securely delete existing files, as well as to securely erase any file data that exists in the unallocated portions of a disk (including files that you have already deleted or encrypted).
- Shredder8 app for Windows in the Windows Store - $0
- Windows - Format & Cipher
- Wipe for Linux
- Millions of us say we don't know how to remove data from an old device - here's what to know | TechRadar
- physical destruction (of the storage media or of the device)
- secure deletion software
- restoring to factory settings = not the most secure method
- How to delete your personal data safely from smart devices
- Three methods for erasing data securely from an iOS device | TechRepublic - (iPhone, iPad, iPod)
- Restore (in iTunes)
- To remotely wipe your device, you must first have iCloud configured and have Find my iPhone enabled; then, log into your iCloud account and select Find my iPhone from the list of web apps. Once you’ve opened the app, you’ll see a list of devices that have Find my iPhone enabled from which you can select the device that you would like to erase. Once selected, your device will be first located, then you’ll have the option to view more details about the device. Click the i to view more information, and from this window you can remotely wipe the device.
- App Store - ProtectStar iShredder Pro
- Wipe your iPhone or iPad with iShredder - (See the video)
- iShredder Military Edition
- How to Securely Wipe/Erase a SSD
- How to Erase a Hard Drive Using DBAN [Walkthrough]
- Darik's Boot and Nuke download | SourceForge.net
- Darik's Boot and Nuke - Browse /dban at SourceForge.net
- Download Darik's Boot and Nuke from SourceForge.net
- Create a bootable CD/DVD/floppy
- Install DBAN to a USB Flash Drive using Windows | Pen Drive Linux
- How to Erase a Hard Drive Using DBAN [Walkthrough]
- How to Burn an ISO File to a USB Drive
- Using Rufus
- How to Boot From a USB Device (Flash Drive or Ext HDD)
- Boot Sequence: How to Change the Boot Order (Boot Sequence) in BIOS - Restart and watch for the Dell logo or the message to keep pressing F2 (or Del or Esc or Tab or ...) to enter Setup.
- How to Wipe a Hard Drive (Permanently Erase Everything)
- Tools such as DBAN rely on the computer's I/O to erase a drive and will typically not touch data in bad blocks or in blocks that haven't been fully overwritten.
- Boot & Nuke is not NIST certified per NIST 800-88 to meet legal requirements, nor could it be, since it is an external disk wiper.
- Secure Erase is SIGNIFICANTLY faster (than DBAN) and completely compliant with U.S. gov standards and practice
- Instructions, step-by-step
- Plug in the laptop - This process could take a while.
- Download DBAN's ISO
- Download Rufus
- Insert USB flash drive
- Run Rufus - (Standard Windows installation, FAT32)
- Reboot
- If DBAN doesn't run from the USB drive, then change the boot sequence (see above).
- "Press the ENTER key to start DBAN in interacive mode." > M=Method (DoDShort = autonuke) > F10=Start > Remove USB device > Reboot
- FDisk (if necessary) and Format (if necessary) the empty boot disk.
- Install and Set up Windows (if necessary)
- Drive eRazer | WiebeTech Micro Storage Solutions - Drive eRazer - Easily, Safely, and Compltely erase all data from a hard drive - Vancouver, WA
- Hardware solution that uses the drive's built-in Secure Erase (HDD Erase = CMRR). - US$223
- Sanitize your hard drives with Drive eRazer Ultra - Computerworld
- Hardware - no PC required - Fast - $223
- StarTech Standalone Eraser Dock review | ZDNet | ~$300 - A hardware solution that doesn't require a computer.
- KillDisk: Disk Eraser, Wiper & Sanitizer - Erase HDD/SSD/USB/NVMe Securely
- CMRR - Center for Memory and Recording Research
- Secure Erase
- Data Sanitization Tutorial - PDF
- Reliably Erasing Data from Flash-Based Solid State Drives - PDF
- Reliably Erasing Data From Flash-Based Solid State Drives - PDF
- Safe, fast, very very secure, built into the disk drive's firmware - HDD Erase - Disk Drive Secure Erase for User Data - University of California, San Diego - $0 - hdderase.zip
- Copy the downloaded file, HDDerase.exe onto the created floppy/CD-ROM bootable DOS disk. Boot the computer in DOS using the bootable disk. Make sure to set the correct boot priority setting in the system BIOS. Type “hdderase” at system/DOS prompt to run HDDerase.exe.
- Secure Erase is a pain to use because most motherboard BIOSes have disabled it, reasoning that people wouldn't understand that it would vaporize their data forever, leading to costly grief counseling with phone support.
- Secure Erase, a set of commands embedded in most ATA drives built since 2001.
If this is so wonderful, why haven’t you heard of it before? Because it’s been disabled by most motherboard BIOSes. - Secure Erase is already built into ATA disk drives. This utility is free and non-commercial. SE is part of the ATA standard.
- Secure Erase overwrites every single track on the hard drive. That includes the data on “bad blocks”, the data left at the end of partly overwritten blocks, directories, everything. There is no data recovery from Secure Erase.
- To erase my onboard SATA drive? - some BIOS configuration may be required. Since hdderase.exe only detects drives on the primary and secondary IDE channels (P0, P1, S0, S1) the BIOS must be configured so that the SATA drive is detected one of these channels. This can be done by switching the SATA drive from “enhanced mode” to“compatibility mode” in BIOS (compatibility mode is sometimes called “native mode”or “IDE mode”). E.g. BIOS >> IDE configuration >> onboard IDE operate mode>> compatibility mode. Note - not all BIOSs support this feature.
- Secure erase isn't included on SCSI drives.
- Mac users already have a similar option under the Finder: “Secure Empty Trash”. And with Disk Utility you can perform a secure erase of all drive free space.
Secure Empty Trash just overwrites the files that you have in the trash. That is why the "Erase Free Space" Disk Utility is needed as well. - The only way to really ensure that sensitive data can't be retrieved from a hard drive is to destroy it. Smashing it with a hammer works for me.
- HDDerase
- HDDerase.exe is a DOS-based utility that securely erases "sanitizes" all data on ATA hard disk drives in Intel architecture computers (PCs). It offers the option to run the drive internal secure erase command, security erase unit, based on the ATA specification by the T13 technical committee.
- To run the utility make a floppy, recordable CD-R, or USB DOS bootable disk; then copy HDDerase.exe to the bootable media. Reboot the computer with the floppy, CD-R, or USB inserted, and type "hdderase" at the system DOS prompt. Make sure to set the correct priority boot order in the system BIOS, such as first boot floppy, CD-R, or USB depending on which media is used to run HDDerase.exe. HDDerase.exe must be run from an actual DOS environment and not a Window based DOS command prompt environment.
- NOTE: For laptop users, please make sure that there is sufficient battery life to run and complete the secure erase procedure. Secure erase may take as long as two hours for larger capacity drives. If power is lost during the secure erase, the drive will be in a locked state, preventing all I/O access. See the FAQ for further discussion on this topic.
- See also: Encryption ...
- Flash-based solid-state drives nearly impossible to erase | InfoWorld
- There's no way to reliably erase an entire SSD or a single file on an SSD or USB drive, although using an encrypted drive comes close.
- Delete
- It's no secret (or at least, it shouldn't be) that when you delete files or folders in Windows, they're not actually erased—the space they took up is simply marked as "available for use," which allows the files to be recoverable (with the right software) until they're overwritten with new data.
- How to Completely Remove Apps and Programs on Windows
- "Add or remove programs"
- Regedit > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\
- File Explorer > "C:\Program Files" and "C:\Program Files (x86)"
- Run > %appdata%
- Run > %temp%
- Disk Cleanup
- Format
- How to remove and overwrite all data on a hard drive for free in Windows 11 | TechRepublic
- How to Format a Hard Drive (Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP)
- Pro tip: Use Windows 8's Format command to perform a secure disk wipe - TechRepublic
- How to perform a secure disk wipe with Windows 10's Format command - TechRepublic
- If you don't have a TPM chip (for BitLocker), or the right version of Windows, you can still erase a drive by performing a standard - NOT quick - format of the drive.
- Control Panel > Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management > Right-click on the drive you want to erase > New Simple Volume > Format > uncheck "Perform a quick format". A standard format overwrites the entire drive and this will take hours. If a hard drive format takes less than a minute, go back and make sure you're doing a standard format.
- Create bootable USB drives.
- Rufus
- UNetbootin
- Boot and run Linux from a USB flash memory stick | Pen Drive Linux
- Windows USB/DVD Download Tool - Microsoft Store - Requires Windows ISO file.
- Using the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool - Before you run the Download Tool, make sure you have purchased the Windows ISO download from Microsoft Store and downloaded the Windows ISO file to your drive. If you have purchased Windows but have not yet downloaded the ISO file, you can download the ISO file from your Microsoft Store Account.
- Boot Disk – Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10
- Partition
- cipher.exe - built into Windows - will erase unused space
- cipher /w:c:\
- There is a utility built-into Windows 7 (even XP Pro and Vista) that will overwrite all the free space on a hard drive, insuring any files you've deleted stay dead. Launch a command prompt and type cipher /w:X where X is the letter of the drive or partition you want to wipe. Be patient—the process can take a long time if you have a lot of free space.
- How secure is the windows Cipher command? - Information Security Stack Exchange
- Tools like "cipher.exe" overwrite unallocated disk space, commonly referred to as deleted.
- Recovery
- Windows10 > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Get Started > Choose an option
- How to Revive Windows 10 With a Recovery Drive | PCMag
- How to Back Up and Restore an Image File of Windows 10 | PCMag
- Windows 10 backup - (File History)
- How to set up a new Windows 10 PC perfectly in one hour or less | ZDNet
- Search > System Protection (Create a restore point) > Configure (button) > Restore Settings > Turn on system protection
- Search > System Protection (Create a restore point) > Create (button) > Provide a name and click on Create (button)
- cmd > rstrui > Select a retore point
- How to create automatic System Restore points daily on Windows 10 | Windows Central
- System Restore & System Recovery
- Crash = BSOD = Blue Sceen of Death
- List all restore points: PS > Get-ComputerRestorePoint
- List all restore points: PS > rstrui
- Reboot > hold the F8 key > Advanced Boot Options > Repair Your Computer > log in > System Restore
- Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode With F8 - How-To - YouTube
- cmd > run as administrator (Warning! Do not use PowerShell) > bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy
- How to Boot into Windows 10 Safe Mode Dell - Start Your Dell PC in Safe Mode
- How to Boot Windows 10 in safe mode? (Enter Windows 10 Safe Mode)
- Dell Computer Does Not Boot to Windows 10 | Dell Canada
- How to Use and Create Windows 10 Recovery USB Disk
- Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode With F8 - How-To - YouTube
- Danger. System Restore will allow hackers to access previously deleted data on your drive.
- When you turn off System Restore, all existing restore points are lost. Also, you can't create a restore point while your system is in Safe Mode, so any restores performed in that mode cannot be undone.
- Why I Don't Like System Restore - Ask Leo!
- How to Create System Restore Points with Command Prompt or PowerShell | Password Recovery
- How to create Windows 10 system restore points automatically on startup | Windows Central
- What's the Difference Between System Reset and System Restore?
- 8 Fixes on No Restore Points Have Been Created in Windows 10
- System Recovery
- System Recovery is a built-in tool that resets your machine to the default factory settings. System Recovery rolls back the machine to the same state as a new machine that you bought. All data, any virus infection, and any installed software - everything is wiped out.
- A restore to factory settings is also known as a reset to factory settings or as a restore to factory defaults. Restoring a computer to its factory settings will delete all personal files: music, movies, pictures and any installed software applications or drivers that were not included in the original configuration of that computer.
- Restore To Factory Settings – Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10
- Recovery ...
- Task Scheduler (admin)
- How to schedule System Restore Points in Windows 10
- PS > taskschd.msc > Create Task > Name it as Restore Point Creator, and check the box which says Run with highest privileges. > Triggers (tab) > New (button) > Make your selections > Actions (tab) > Program/script = powershell.exe > Add arguments = Checkpoint-Computer -Description "TWC-RestorePoint" -RestorePointType MODIFY_SETTINGS > Conditions (tab) > ... > Settings (tab) > ... > OK
- PS > Checkpoint-Computer -Description "TWC-RestorePoint" -RestorePointType MODIFY_SETTINGS
- How to schedule System Restore Points in Windows 10
- Run command for system properties
+ Pause/Break- Run > msconfig > Tools > System Properties > Launch
- sysdm.cpl