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How to wipe your HARD drive - Windows


There are disk wiping utilities and programmes available that will erase data if correctly used. Some programmes erase the entire disk, while others allow you to select which files or folders to erase. It is important that the utility or programme provide an option to erase free space (temporary files).

Other methods of destroying data include degaussing and destruction. Degaussing is a process by which the storage media is subjected to a powerful magnetic field to remove the data on the media. Degaussing may make the media inoperable; therefore use this method if the media does not need to be reused.

Destruction is recommended for removable media (CD-ROMS, diskettes, tapes) containing highly sensitive data that cannot be wiped using utilities/products described above. This is done by shredding disk platters, grinding the surfaces off of CD's, incinerating tapes, or cracking/ cutting the media.

If you are using Macintosh please click here, otherwise for all Unix based operating systems please click here

Product Windows Platforms Options Web Site
Blancco Data Cleaner ** All IBM compatible PC's on all operating systems Purchase http://www.blancco.com
Kill Disk DOS, Windows 95 / 98 / Windows NT / 2000 / XP / XP Professional x64 / XP Home x64/ 2003 Server x64, Linux, Unix for PC Free trial, purchase http://www.killdisk.com
BC Wipe 95, 98, ME, NT, XP, 2000 and 2003 Free trial, purchase http://www.jetico.com/download.htm
Darik's Boot & Nuke 95, 98, ME, NT, XP, 2000 Free http://dban.sourceforge.net
Data Eraser All IBM compatible PC's on all operating systems Purchase http://www.ontrack.com/dataeraser/
Eraser 95,98, NT, 2000, XP and DOS Free http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/
PGP Wipe Utility & Wipe Free Space 95, 98, ME, NT, XP and 2000 Free trial or purchase http://www.pgp.com/products/desktop/index.html
R-Wipe & Clean 98, ME, NT4.0, 2000, XP Free trial or purchase http://www.r-wipe.com
WinPT Wipe File Utility 95, 98, ME, NT, XP and 2000 Free http://winpt.sourceforge.net/en/ a front-end for http://www.gnupg.org

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Note:
How To Wipe Your Drive does not warrant or endorse any of the products listed herein. Professional advice, services and guarantees should be sought where data is considered confidential or of high value. How To Wipe Your Drive thanks and acknowledges the University of Minnesota for their contribution to this site.

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