Best hard drive eraser freeware

The bootable version tells you how large each drive is, but that's about the only identifiable information given, whereas the Windows version makes it easier to know what drive you're about to wipe clean. MHDD is another data destruction tool that utilizes Secure Erase to erase both mechanical and solid-state hard drives. The thing we like best about MHDD is the variety of easy-to-use forms that it's downloadable in.

You can download an ISO file for disc or flash drive booting, a floppy image, the program itself ready for your own boot disk, and more.

Data Sanitization Methods: Secure Erase. There is plenty of documentation, a FAQ, and even a forum for the MHDD data destruction program, all accessible from their download page. Using PCDiskEraser is really easy because you simply select the disk that should be erased, confirm the selection, and then PCDiskEraser immediately begins shredding the whole disk.

We were unable to use a mouse in PCDiskEraser even though a cursor was available. We had to use the tab and space keys to move around within the program, which wasn't a huge concern but did make using it a little harder than it had to be. Data Sanitization Methods: Write Zero.

Like the above bootable data destruction software, you can download a simple ISO file for burning to disc or USB drive. You can also install a regular application to run KillDisk from within the OS. KillDisk works with both regular hard drives and solid state drives. Unfortunately, some of KillDisk's settings work only in the professional version. There's also a Linux and Mac version available. Beginning in Windows Vista, the format command was granted the ability to write zeros during the format, giving the command basic data destruction abilities.

Since all Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Vista users already have the format command at their disposal, this is a quick and effective data destruction method. Granted, you won't be able to satisfy some stringent data sanitization standards, but if that's not a concern then this option is perfect. The format command included with Windows XP and prior operating systems does not support this option. However, there is a way to use this method on a computer with Windows XP if you have access to another computer with Windows 11—7.

The instructions linked here explain how to use the format command either as a data destruction tool from a bootable disc, enabling you to completely erase the primary drive, or as a way to erase any other drive from Command Prompt from within Windows.

Macrorit Data Wiper is different than the above programs in that it doesn't run from a bootable disc. Instead, it's a portable program that you must open from your computer like you would a regular program. The program has a very nice look to it and is super easy to use. Just select a hard drive regular or SSD that should be erased and choose a wiping method. Windows is the only supported operating system, and because you have to run Macrorit Data Wiper from the hard drive, you're unable to use it to wipe the primary drive.

Eraser is pretty easy to use and serves as a well-designed data destruction program with some unique features. As far as advanced options go, Eraser wins the data destruction competition hands down. With Eraser, you can schedule data destruction with all the precision you'd expect with any scheduling tool. This program should work with both traditional drives and SSDs. Because Eraser runs from within Windows, you can not use the program to erase the drive that Windows runs on, usually C.

Use a bootable data destruction software program from this list or see How to Format C for other options. Eraser works in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Eraser also works on Windows Server through Freeraser, very much unlike some of the other programs on this list, is a full-fledged Windows application, complete with a setup wizard and Start Menu icons.

We like Freeraser so much because it's incredibly easy to use. Freeraser can only delete files from a whole hard drive if it's connected over USB. Internal hard drives are not supported. Freeraser can also be used as a portable program by choosing that option during setup. Freeraser works with Windows 11 through Windows XP.

Disk Wipe is a completely portable data destruction tool that you run from within Windows. Disk Wipe is really easy to use because it walks you through a wizard to perform the data wipe. Because it requires the OS to be running to work, it can't be used to erase the drive you have Windows running on, but it should work just fine for other mechanical and solid state drives.

Hardwipe is another data destruction program that runs from inside Windows. You can clean free space or even wipe an entire drive SSD or traditional , so long as it's not your primary drive. Hardwipe is easy for anyone to use. Just load the drive that should be cleaned and choose a data sanitization method that should be used. Secure Eraser is a software suite that serves not only as a registry cleaner but also as a data destruction tool. After selecting the drive or partition that should be wiped, just click Start deletion to choose one of the above methods.

After Secure Eraser has done its job, you can set it to reboot the computer, exit, or shutdown the computer. Because Secure Eraser runs from within Windows, you can't use it to erase the hard drive that it's installed to like the C drive. Secure Eraser attempts to install another program during setup that you must deselect if you don't want it. Right-click context menu integration is permitted as well as some unique wiping methods you won't find in many of the other programs listed here.

To use PrivaZer to wipe away a whole drive, choose Delete without a trace from the main menu, select Sensitive directories , and choose a hard drive. Because PrivaZer can do many other privacy cleaning tasks like deleting old files and erasing internet activity traces, it can be a confusing process to use just the data wipe feature.

A portable version is also available from the download page. PC Shredder is a small, portable data wipe tool that runs like any other software in Windows.

We like that PC Shredder is portable and has a simple interface. This program is primarily used as a disk management program, so finding the data wipe feature among all the other settings can be a little daunting. Remo Drive Wipe is a nice looking data destruction program that runs inside Windows. You can wipe an entire disk with one of three different sanitization methods. Remo Drive Wipe is a pretty simple program. It walks you through a type of wizard where you select the drive to wipe and then choose a deletion method.

As time goes by, your computer may work slower and slower or become out of date. If you want to recycle your old PC or give it away, there is an important thing to do beforehand - data erasure. Otherwise, your private data will be exposed to others. How to erase your personal data securely? The most direct way is to delete personal files and then empty Recycle Bin.

However, your deleted files can often be recovered with data recovery software. This feature indeed makes it harder for someone to recover your removed files, but it is still not enough. If you want a stronger and more secure method of data erasure, you need a bootable drive wiper.

It has free version and advanced version. Its free version only has one type of hard drive erasing solution, namely, erase hard drive with one pass zeros. If you want to try other ways to wipe hard drive, you need to pay for the professional version. This cool Windows 10 PC wipe tool also allows you to wipe computer or external drives. You can use it to wipe data from free space on hard drive or wipe the entire drive. Advanced version also needs to pay. This free disk wiping software enables you to permanently erase all data in the hard drive.

It also uses some professional data erasing standards like U. Department of Defense The downside of this tool is that it is also downloaded as an ISO file, and you need to burn it to a disk or USB before you can use it.

Aside from the provided data sanitization methods, you are also allowed to create custom erasure method. This free hard drive data destruction software provides 10 popular data erasure solutions for your choice. It is compatible with Windows XP This free disk wipe software enables you to drag and drop the hard drive into the program, and then choose one data wiping way to completely destruct the data.

This hard drive erasure software offers you several data wipe solutions: DoD You can freely choose to wipe data from free space or all files in the hard drive with this top file eraser. Windows 10 is supported. Some of you may think of using Windows own free disk manager Diskpart Utility, Disk Manager to try to erase the entire hard drive.

You can open Windows Disk Manager by pressing Windows and R keys on the keyboard at the same time, and then input diskmgmt. You can also use Windows Diskpart tool to clean all data on selected hard drive. You can check below the differences between formatting and wiping a hard drive. Learn more ….

File Shredder is an effective file shredding application that deletes files from computer beyond the scope of recovery. It is a fast, trustworthy, and safe software. It was released under the GNU license, making it available free of cost for all users.

Hardwipe is a secure data eraser software available free of cost for non-commercial use. It supports several data sanitization methods. It closes automatically once its process is complete. Blancco File Eraser guarantees permanent erasure of sensitive data. It is a freemium software that easily integrates with the existing IT framework of the system. Thus, it reduces system downtime during file erasers.

Disk Wipe is a portable file eraser software available for free under EULA license for personal and commercial use. Disk Wipe efficiently and securely erases the data beyond the scope of recovery. It has a free edition without any liability to buy. It is meant for temporary and private use.