Forum Discussion
soumdg663
Oct 25, 2024Iron Contributor
How do I permanently wipe my hard drive in Windows 10 computer?
I want to ensure that all my personal data is completely unrecoverable before I sell or dispose of my computer. So now, I'm looking for guidance on how to permanently wipe hard drive in Windows 10 co...
- Oct 25, 2024
Even if you think you’ve deleted your files normally (e.g., moving them to the Recycle Bin), that doesn’t mean they’re gone for good. Deleting files simply marks the space as available for new data, while the original data can often be recovered using simple data recovery tools. A permanent wipe hard drive on Windows 10 ensures that the data cannot be restored.
I followed this tutorial to completely erase my data:
https://www.gicmodo.com/securely-wipe-hard-drive
Vintoria
Oct 25, 2024Copper Contributor
How to permanently wipe a hard drive in Windows 10? Just deleting files isn’t enough if you want to wipe it clean. You need to use a secure erase tool. The built-in Reset This PC feature in Windows 10 lets you choose to remove files or wipe everything securely. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, then hit Get started under Reset this PC. Make sure to select “Remove everything” and check for “Remove files and clean the drive” for a thorough job.
If you’ve been using BitLocker (Windows’ own encryption tool), make sure to disable it first. Otherwise, even after wiping, some data might still be recoverable. You’ll find BitLocker settings in the Control Panel under System and Security. Just select your drive and turn it off.
If you’ve been using BitLocker (Windows’ own encryption tool), make sure to disable it first. Otherwise, even after wiping, some data might still be recoverable. You’ll find BitLocker settings in the Control Panel under System and Security. Just select your drive and turn it off.