If you’re dealing with classified or financial data, spend an afternoon running DBAN (for HDDs) or an ATA Secure Erase (for SSDs).
If you’re disposing of a drive with highly sensitive data (business records, medical info), use a dedicated tool that writes multiple overwrite passes. These meet Department of Defense standards (DoD 5220.22-M). how to wipe a hard drive windows 10
| Your Situation | Recommended Method | |----------------|--------------------| | Selling your PC to a stranger | Reset This PC with “Clean drives” ON | | Donating to a friend or family | Reset This PC (no need for extra passes) | | Recycling an old HDD with sensitive data | DBAN or Command Prompt “clean all” | | Wiping an SSD | Manufacturer’s Secure Erase tool | | Erasing a secondary external drive | Eraser or Command Prompt format /p:3 | If you’re dealing with classified or financial data,
This method uses Windows' built-in tool to erase the main system drive and reinstall Windows 10 cleanly. how to wipe a hard drive windows 10
If you’re dealing with classified or financial data, spend an afternoon running DBAN (for HDDs) or an ATA Secure Erase (for SSDs).
If you’re disposing of a drive with highly sensitive data (business records, medical info), use a dedicated tool that writes multiple overwrite passes. These meet Department of Defense standards (DoD 5220.22-M).
| Your Situation | Recommended Method | |----------------|--------------------| | Selling your PC to a stranger | Reset This PC with “Clean drives” ON | | Donating to a friend or family | Reset This PC (no need for extra passes) | | Recycling an old HDD with sensitive data | DBAN or Command Prompt “clean all” | | Wiping an SSD | Manufacturer’s Secure Erase tool | | Erasing a secondary external drive | Eraser or Command Prompt format /p:3 |
This method uses Windows' built-in tool to erase the main system drive and reinstall Windows 10 cleanly.
