How do I completely wipe an SD card and make it unrecoverable?

Using "Format + Fill with Encrypted Data" to completely wipe an SD card is a method that involves overwriting the data with random or encrypted data to prevent recovery. However, on Windows, there isn't a built-in, straightforward "Encrypt then fill" feature specifically designed for secure data wiping.

1. Use Built-in Format Options

Quick Format: Simply deletes the file system journal but leaves data recoverable.

Full Format: Overwrites the disk with zeros, making data harder to recover.

Steps:

1. Insert the SD card.

2. Open File Explorer.

3. Right-click the SD card drive and select Format.

4. Choose File system (e.g., FAT32, exFAT).

5. Check Quick Format (uncheck for a full overwrite).

6. Click Start.

2. Use Diskpart for Secure Erase

Diskpart is a Windows command-line utility that can completely wipe an SD card.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

2. Type:

diskpart

3. List disks:

list disk

Identify your SD card (by size).

4. Select the disk:

select disk X

5. Wipe the disk:

clean

6. To create a new partition:

create partition primary

format fs=exfat quick