Forum Discussion
Finebns
Oct 31, 2024Bronze Contributor
How do I wipe my hard drive before recycling on Windows 11 computer?
I'm looking to recycle my old hard drive, but I want to make sure all of my personal data is completely wiped clean before doing so. I’m using a Windows 11 computer, and I want to make sure I handle ...
- Oct 31, 2024
A simple delete or formatting is not enough to protect the data. You need a dedicated disk wiping app to permanently delete all files from the drive. Here is a good example for this case:
https://www.ammdiy.com/how-to-permanently-wipe-a-drive
Eliaspefo
Oct 31, 2024Iron Contributor
Wiping hard drive before recycling is a great idea, how to Wipe Your Hard Drive Using Windows Tools? If you’re ready to wipe that drive, here’s a quick step-by-step using a built-in option:
- Back Up Your Data: Make sure you’ve got everything you need saved elsewhere.
- Open DiskPart: Search for Command Prompt, right-click, and select “Run as administrator.”
- Type diskpart and hit Enter.
- Type list disk to see all your drives and find the one you want to wipe.
- Select Your Drive: Type select disk X (replace X with your drive number).
- Wipe It Out: Type clean all and hit Enter. Just be prepared for this to take a while, especially on larger drives.