Look for the best disk wipe software for Windows

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Honestly, Windows doesn’t include a dedicated third-party-style "disk wipe" app, but its built-in cipher.exe tool and Format function can get the job done securely for most people.

For a full drive wipe, your best built-in method is to use the Command Prompt. Type cipher /w:C: (replace C: with your target drive letter) – this will overwrite all free space with random data, making deleted files unrecoverable. It's not a full drive erase, but it's the closest you'll get for free space without extra software.

For a more thorough, irreversible erase, your only true built-in option is to use the "Format" right-click option in File Explorer, but make sure to uncheck "Quick Format" so it performs a full overwrite. It's not as fancy as third-party tools, but it gets the job done.

If you're looking for disk wipe software without relying on third-party tools, Windows actually has a built-in method that can handle this, though it’s not as advanced as dedicated software.

Here's what you can use:

Reset this PC (Windows Built-in)

Steps: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC. Choose Remove everything.

This will wipe all your data, but it may not offer multiple wiping algorithms or handle SSDs in a way that ensures complete irrecoverable data. It’s a good option if you want a quick reset of your machine before selling or giving it away.

DiskPart (Command Line Tool)

Steps: Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type:

diskpart
list disk
select disk # (replace "#" with the number of the disk you want to wipe)
clean all

The clean all command will overwrite the disk with zeroes, making data recovery extremely difficult. However, this method works well with HDDs and isn’t recommended for SSDs because of the way they handle data storage.

For SSDs, Windows has a built-in Optimize Drives tool, which includes a feature for TRIM, helping to ensure that deleted data on SSDs can’t be recovered. To use this:

Go to Settings > System > Storage > Optimize Drives and select the SSD, then choose Optimize.

These are your built-in options, and while they may not be as advanced as third-party tools, they can handle most of the basic disk wiping needs.

Windows comes with a built-in tool called diskpart, which is a powerful utility that allows you to manage disks, partitions, and volumes, and it can be used to securely erase all data from a disk. It can be used as a free disk wipe software on any Windows OS.

Here is how to completely wipe a disk on Windows:

1. Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the menu.

2. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter. This will launch the Diskpart tool, which allows you to manipulate disks and partitions.

diskpart

3. To view all the disks on your system, type the following command. This will display a list of all connected disks along with their disk numbers. Note the disk number of the disk you want to erase (e.g., Disk 1).

list disk

4. Input the following command to select the disk you want to erase. Replace 1 with the disk number you identified in the previous step. This will select the disk for further operations.

select disk 1

To erase the disk completely and delete all partitions, type the following command:

clean

The clean command will remove all partitions and data from the selected disk, but it’s important to note that this doesn't securely wipe the data—it just deletes the partitions, making the data recoverable with specialized tools.

Note: If you're erasing an SSD, using the clean all command might not be as effective in securely erasing data as it is with HDDs (Hard Disk Drives). For SSDs, consider using a manufacturer-specific tool for secure erasure.

By using diskpart free disk wipe program with the clean all command, you can erase a disk on Windows via the command line securely. However, for critical security, especially when selling or disposing of the device, using a dedicated disk wiping tool may offer more robust methods.

The Reset This PC feature in Windows 10 provides a simple and effective way to remove data from your laptop, but it may not be secure enough for permanent data deletion, especially if you are planning to sell your device. When you choose the Remove everything option, Windows deletes your files, apps, and settings. However, the method used to erase files in this case does not guarantee that the data is unrecoverable. Files are usually marked as deleted, but they can potentially be recovered with specialized data recovery tools, making it a less secure option for data destruction. That is why disk wiping software for Windows takes in to count!

To ensure that your data is permanently deleted, it’s recommended to choose the Remove files and clean the drive option within Reset This PC. This option is a more thorough process that overwrites the data on your hard drive, making it significantly harder to recover. While this method is better than simply deleting files, it’s still not the most secure for highly sensitive data. For complete peace of mind, especially if you are dealing with highly confidential information, it’s advisable to use dedicated disk wiping software that meets recognized security standards (e.g., DoD 5220.22-M, NIST 800-88).

If you're selling your laptop and want to ensure that no one can retrieve any of your personal or sensitive data, third-party disk wipe software are highly recommended. These tools offer more comprehensive data destruction techniques by overwriting the disk multiple times, ensuring the data is completely and securely wiped. Using such software ensures that even if someone tries to recover the data with advanced tools, it will be practically impossible.

Most free disk wipe software do a decent job, but they often lack advanced options like multiple passes, custom algorithms, or secure erasure standards. If you want the most secure wipe possible, you might need to pay for a premium version or look for specialized software. Not all free tools are trustworthy. Some can be poorly coded or even malicious. If you pick the wrong one, you might end up with malware or accidentally damage your drive. Always download from reputable sources and check reviews before using.

Some free disk wipe software may not work well with all drives, especially newer SSDs or encrypted drives. They might not fully wipe the data or could cause issues with your hardware. Secure wiping methods (like multiple passes or overwriting with random data) take time — sometimes hours for large drives. Free tools often stick to basic options, but even then, thorough wiping isn’t quick.

Free disk wipe software usually doesn’t come with much support. If something goes wrong or the software crashes, you’re pretty much on your own. Plus, updates might be infrequent, leaving you with outdated tools.

For Windows 10 or Windows 11 user, you can use the Reset This PC feature to wipe a system disk without disk wiping software.

Reset This PC is a built-in feature in Windows 10 that allows you to restore your computer to its original state by reinstalling the operating system. It can be a useful tool when you're troubleshooting issues or preparing to sell or give away your device. The feature gives you two main options: keeping your files or removing everything.

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings menu.

2. Go to Update & Security > Recovery.

3. Under the Reset this PC section, click on Get Started.

4. You will be prompted with two choices:

• Keep my files: Retains your files, but removes apps and settings.
• Remove everything: Fully wipes everything from the device, including your files, apps, and settings.

5. If you chose Remove everything, you'll get the option to either:

• Just remove your files: A quick option that removes files without overwriting them.
• Remove files and clean the drive: A more thorough wipe that ensures your data is not recoverable.

Windows will prepare the reset and ask you to confirm before proceeding. After confirmation, it will begin the process, which could take a while depending on the option you selected.

You can also use disk wipe software for more advanced data protection!

Yeah, DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) is one of the most popular free disk wipe software out there. It’s been around for ages and is really reliable for securely erasing entire hard drives.

Pros of DBAN:

1. Completely free and open-source.
2. Supports a variety of wiping algorithms, including DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, and others, so you can choose how thorough you want the wipe to be.
3. Great for wiping HDDs completely before selling or disposing of old drives.
4. Simple to use once you create the bootable media — just boot from the CD/DVD or USB, select the drive, and let it do its thing.

Cons of DBAN:
Before using this disk wipe software. You need to create bootable media (USB or CD) to run it, which adds a step.

DBAN is fantastic if you’re wiping traditional HDDs, trustworthy solution. Just be aware that if you’re dealing with SSDs, you should look for disk wiper software that support secure erase commands designed for SSDs (like Samsung Magician or manufacturer tools).