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CaliforniaGolden's avatar
CaliforniaGolden
Iron Contributor
Jan 15, 2026

How to completely wipe a pc 100% before selling it?

I heard a factory reset is not safe enough and the data can be recovered. Currently, I plan to sell my Windows 10 PC as well as a Windows 11 laptop. I am preparing to sell a personal computer and hav...
LouisianaBayou's avatar
LouisianaBayou
Iron Contributor
Jan 16, 2026

Using manufacturer tools for secure wiping is an excellent and reliable method to completely wipe a PC. Many hardware manufacturers offer free utilities designed specifically for their storage devices, providing hardware-level secure erase functions that are often more thorough than software-based wipes.

How to completely Wipe a PC for Secure Erase

1. Identify Your Drive Model

   Open Device Manager or Disk Management in Windows.

   Find your storage device model.

2. Download the Appropriate Utility

   Visit the manufacturer's official website.

   Download the latest version of their tool.

3. Prepare for Secure Erase

   Backup any essential data.

   Close all applications.

   Ensure your PC is plugged into power (especially for laptops).

4. Run the Utility

   Launch the utility.

   Follow the on-screen instructions.

   Select your SSD.

   Choose Secure Erase or equivalent option.

5. Perform the Secure Erase

   Confirm the action.

   The tool will perform a hardware-level reset, returning the drive to factory state.

   The process may take a few minutes.

6. Reinstall Windows

   After wiping, you can reinstall Windows or leave the drive blank for the new owner.

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