Deleting files or formatting your hard drive may seem like the easiest way to erase your data on Windows, but these steps are not enough to ensure complete destruction of your sensitive information. If you’re selling or donating your computer, or just want to wipe your hard drive for security reasons, you need to make sure all data is irretrievable.

Here are the steps to completely wipe a hard drive on Windows.

1. Back up your data

Before you start wiping your hard drive, make sure to back up your important files and data on an external hard drive, online storage, or another computer. This will ensure that you don’t lose any valuable data in the process.

2. Use Windows built-in disk cleaning tool

Windows has a built-in disk cleaning tool that can erase temporary files, system files, and other unnecessary files from your hard drive. This tool can also help you to remove stubborn files that you might not be able to delete in the usual way.

To use the disk clean-up tool, right-click on your hard drive and select Properties from the drop-down menu. Click on the ‘Disk Clean-up’ button and select the types of files you want to delete. Then click ‘OK’. This process can take a few minutes depending on the size of your hard drive.

3. Use DBAN (Darik’s Boot and Nuke)

DBAN is a free and open-source software that can wipe your hard drive completely. This software overwrites all data on your hard drive several times, making it impossible to recover the files. The process can take several hours or even a day, depending on the size of your hard drive.

To use DBAN, first, download the software and create a bootable USB or CD. Then, insert the USB or CD into your computer and restart it. Select the boot device (CD or USB) from the BIOS menu to start the computer from this device. Then follow the on-screen instructions to wipe your hard drive.

4. Use a third-party disk wiping software

If you prefer to use a third-party disk wiping software, there are many options available. CCleaner is a popular software that can erase your hard drive securely. You can select the option to overwrite deleted files and free space on your hard drive. This software takes a few minutes to complete the process.

Another option is Disk Wipe, which is a simple and easy-to-use software that can wipe your hard drive quickly. You can select the number of passes to overwrite the data, and then start the wiping process.

Final Thoughts

While deleting files or formatting your hard drive might seem like an easy way to wipe your data, it’s important to use a more secure method if you want to ensure that your sensitive data is irretrievable. By using Windows built-in disk clean-up tool, DBAN, or a third-party disk wiping software, you can wipe your hard drive completely and securely. Make sure to back up your data before starting the wiping process.