How do I completely erase hard drive data?

Whenever you want to securely erase your data, follow these steps.

1. Navigate to the files or folders that you want to securely erase.
2. Right-click on the files and/or folders and an Eraser menu will appear.
3. Highlight and click Erase in the Eraser menu.
4. Click Start > Run… , type cmd and press OK or Enter (Return).

How do I wipe a computer clean?

For Windows 10, go to the Start Menu and click on Settings. Then navigate to Update & Security, and find the Recovery menu. Next, select Reset this PC and choose Get Started. Follow the instructions to revert your computer back to when it was first unboxed.

Why can’t I delete files from my external hard drive?

Your problem is related to file ownership. You will have to change the permissions of the file/folder to be able to delete it. You can do this by right clicking on the file/folder and selecting the Security tab. Once there, you can change the permissions for your account in regards to this file/folder.

Does formatting a hard drive completely erase data?

Formatting a hard drive does not completely erase data either. Though operating system cannot see deleted or formatted data and the drive looks empty, average users are able to get back lost data easily with the help of hard drive recovery software.

Does wiping out a hard drive permanently delete data?

However, the fact is that wiping out a hard drive is not as easy as deleting data or formatting hard disk. Simply deleting files by Shift + Delete or emptying the Recycle Bin does not permanently clear data, as deleted files can easily be recovered by recovery software. Formatting a hard drive does not completely erase data either.

How do I clear my hard drive without losing data?

Run a disk cleaning utility. Delete some system files. Wipe free space. Alternately: erase everything, including Windows. The process starts by deleting your data files and uninstalling all the programs you’ve used or added and don’t want to be part of the machine when it’s reused by someone else.

What to do if the power goes out during disk clearing?

If power goes out during disk clearing, it might spell disaster to the drive. Backup your data to a different hard disk. When you wipe your computer, everything on it will be lost, thus you should back up any files you want to keep to another hard drive. You can clone hard drive or just copy & paste files to that disk.