How To Completely Erase External Hard Drive

Formatting a hard drive is the best way to start from scratch on a geeky project. You'll want to do it before you sell your machine, for sure, but it's also one of the steps you take when you. Most hard drives come 'preformatted' and ready to use these days. But you occasionally might need to format one yourself. For example, formatting typically removes most of the data on a drive, making it a quicker way to erase a large drive than simply deleting everything on it. Back up anything you want to keep, such as photos, software product keys, etc. When the hard drive. Step 1, Download&Install Partition Resizer on your PC, open the program and then right click your disk partition that you want to erase. Navigate the mouse to ‘Wipe Partition' option and then confirm the wiping. Note: if you want to erase the whole disk, you may select partitions to erase one by one. How To Permanently Delete Files in Windows 10 Hard Drive With Tool. When we use a software for deleting files on our hard drive, it ensures that a large number of files or at times entire disks can be cleaned out in one go.

• How To Completely Erase External Hard Drive
• Erase Hard Drive Windows 10
• How To Completely Erase An External Hard Drive
• Erase External Backup

Last updated on December 15th, 2020 at 06:06 am

You are definitely on the right place if you are looking for best Hard Drive wipe software (free and paid). There is so many software available online and it becomes really tough to choose one that suits you. For this reason, we are here to provide you with complete and comprehensive detail of hard drive cleaning software.

Recommended: How to uninstall Windows 10 built-in apps?

It is always recommended to go for paid software when it comes for privacy and security of your data as there is much-advanced software available that recover wiped data. But if you have used some of the top nothch hard drive cleaning software then it becomes almost impossible to recover any traces. Best quality webcam.

There is also a query related to deleting data from a dead computer, for all those who have a similar question, please refer to How to wipe hard drive on a dead computer?

Why use hard drive cleaning software?

Most of the people now switching to cloud storage and the demand for hard drive reducing day by day, those days are gone when everything was stored in hard drive. So people now removing all their personal information, privacy data from the hard drive and keeping them in more secure places. To completely remove everything from hard drive, cleaning software is a must.

Or there might be the reason to sell your old hard drive and you are looking to remove everything permanently from it. For this reason, you need to have a hard drive wipe software.

Most people think that deletion of files, folders, removing password, and other information is enough but the reality is different, you can reconstruct everything you have deleted.

10 Best Hard Drive Wipe Software

1. MacPaw CleanMyDrive

MacPaw is one of the top recommendations for Mac products. It is well known for CleanMyMac and CleanMyPC. You can use them to speed up your computer. And on the other side, it also offers CleanMyDrive to wipe out everything from your Mac. It has an amazing platform that shows everything you have on your MacBook.

No matters how tiny the file is, it wipe out everything and left no traces. Let is check some of its features

• Clean Junk files: CleanMyDrive intelligently remove every junk for your drive which are hard to locate.
• Copy your drive: Suppose if you are looking to transfer your important data to another hard drive, simply drag and drop the files to copy instantly.
• Multiple language support: CleanMyDrive works with different languages so you need not worry about this.
• Compatible with all hard drives: CleanMyDrive works with SSD, external hard drives, SD cards, USB flash drives.

How To Completely Erase External Hard Drive

Pricing

CleanMyDrive is free to use and available in the Mac App Store, install it and start using it.

2. CCleaner Drive Wiper

CCleaner is another one of the top-rated software recommended to wipe out hard drive data. CCleaner is widely use for removing junk, hidden, temporary, duplicate files to remove unnecessary data from your computer. It also offers Drive Wiper to remove everything from your hard drive.

CCleaner Drive Wiper uses advanced algorithms to permanently delete everything. Once you download CCleaner, go to tools tab, Choose the type of wipe you require: Free Space Only or Entire Drive, it will warn you before proceeding.

You can either clean a specific partition of the entire drive as per your need. Complete wiping of the drive takes some time and you have to be on hold for a while.

Pricing and plans from CCleaner

CCleaner Drive Wiper is a part of CCleaner application and you can get if for free. CCleaner comes in the paid and free version, but for unlocking its feature, Pro version is the best choice. Our readers get a special discount on CCleaner, check out the latest pricing and discount offer here.

3. Eraser

Eraser is an advanced security tool specifically designed for Windows to remove sensitive data from your hard drive. It overwrites it several times with carefully selected patterns to ensure complete data removal. It also supports Windows file systems including FAT32 and NTFS. Along with your PC's hard drive, it also works with other drives that work with Windows PC.

It offers you a feature that let users schedule disk wiping as per there timings. User can set up a data destruction task to repeat itself.

Pricing

Eraser is a free and open-source software for hard drive data cleaner. Download it for free from the official website. Eraser update the software from time to time.

4. KillDisk

KillDisk is a paid software that has tons of feature along with just erasing hard drive. So far we concluded that KillDisk is one of the fastest cleaning software and the best thing is its ability to work in erasing disks parallel. KillDisk works for Windows and some of its version works for LINUX Operating System. It has the ability to start programming form the bootable disk or the USB to erase the disk.

KillDisk shows the current status of disk health and this is good for Disk Examination for bad sectors & Examine Grading.

KillDisk Features

• Supports 32-bit PC architecture
• Erasing disks in parallel
• Business usage
• Automatic Mode allows to discover & erase hot-swappable disks
• Disk Wipe sanitation of unused clusters on live volumes for most file systems

Pricing and Plans

KillDisk comes with different plans such as Active@ KillDisk, Industrial Software, Desktop / System. You can check out the latest pricing. You can also try the demo version for free to test KillDisk.

5. Disk Wipe

Disk Wipe is a free and portable Windows application for permanent data removal. It also uses advanced algorithms to destroy every trace of data such that recovery is almost impossible. The best thing is, it does not contain adware or malware. Let us check out some of its feature here

Disk Wipe Features

• Delete data permanently from volume disk
• No installation required to delete data
• Works with NTFS, Fat, Fat32 (all major File Systems)
• Lightweight, add free application
• Works with external hard drive

Pricing

As already discussed, Disk Wipe is completely free to use and you can download it from the official website.

6. DBAN

DBAN is widely used open–source data wiping software for personal use. You get the benefits of two with using DBAN. Firstly, you can delete every bit of information and secondly, it also removes viruses/spyware from Microsoft Windows installations. DBAN clearly claims that it does not provide any certificate of data removal from a drive and for this, you have request Blancco Drive Eraser Trial.

Pricing

There are two plans, first DBAN and secondly Blancco. DBAN is completely free to use and recommended for personal use. On the other side, Blancco is recommended for business purpose and you can use its trial version.

7. PCDiskEraser

PCDiskEraser is another free application that wipe out hard drive permanently in the for of partition or completely. It is fast in process, easy to use and one of the best tool in its category. You do not worry if you have erased your data through PCDiskEraser. It permanently deletes the information by actually overwriting all of the data on your hard drive.

PCDiskEraser Feature

• Runs Offline
• Supports File System NTFS, FAT16, FAT32, EXT3, EXT2, Linux swap, Reiser FS and so on.
• Easy to use and processes quickly
• Wipe in a partition and complete drive

Pricing

As already discussed, PCDiskEraser is completely free to use and you can download the latest version from the official website.

8. Super File Shredder

Super File Shredder keeps its place under top 10 best hard drive wipe software. The reason is its advanced security tool for Windows that removes all the data by overwriting it many times. All you need is to install this amazing application and remove all your sensitive data and stay with peace of mind.

Pricing

Super File Shredder is completely free to use and you can download it from here.

9. Windows Built in hard drive wiper

Most of us are not known about the in-built option for hard drive wipe tool. Windows offers this feature to completely erase the hard drive data. You do not require to download any external application once you use security tool from Windows 10.

Follow some simple steps to erase hard drive completely

• Open Settings> Update & Security > Recovery.
• Under Reset this PC, go to Get Started button.
• From the following options, tap on Remove everything.

This completely remove your hard drive data and your computer works as it is new.

10. Disk Utility for macOS

Disk Utility is an option for macOS to remove data completely from hard drive. You can also check the storage consumption and delete them in partition also. Follow some simple steps here.

• Go to Spotlight search and type Disk Utility.
• Select your Drive and tap on Erase button.

This completely erase your drive on MacBook.

Conclusion

These are the list of Best Hard Drive Wipe Software. I hope you find the information here useful and definitely found the right choice as per your need. For the latest tech tutorial and software deals, follow us on Facebook, Twitter.

You may also like:

On this page, you'll learn how to effectively wipe SSD on Windows 10/8/7 on your own:

What Is Secure Erase

Secure Erase is a method used to completely wipe out the data on a hard drive using a set of commands. Secure Erase commands write binary one or zero to the sectors on the hard drive to overwrite all the existing files. That's why the data removed by the Secure Erase commands is not recoverable by any data recovery method available.

However, although they are commands. You cannot run Secure Erase commands like you run commands in Windows 10 in Command Prompt since they are available from the firmware on the hard drive. Thus, to secure erase your SSD in Windows 10, you need third-party software like EaseUS partition manager software to help you execute these operations.

When Do You Need to Wipe an SSD

When do you need to perform a secure erase on an SSD? Completely wiping an SSD is needed when you want to:

• Resell the SSD: One of the preparations you need to make before reselling a storage device like SSD is to wipe out all the data on it, which prevents others from accessing your files.
• Prepare the SSD for another user: To protect your information, you may want to destroy the files on the storage device.
• Clean up SSD for other usages: To clear SSD for OS installation, using it as a game drive, or a second data disk, etc.
• Remove virus or malware on the device: If your SSD is infected by a virus or malware, you may want to totally remove it by secure erase your device.

How to Wipe SSD in Windows 10

Follow through the process in this part, you'll securely erase SSD and make it ready for any purpose as listed above:

We suggest you follow the tutorials one by one as presented in this part. If you don't have essential data saved on your SSD, skip the 1st guide and start from the 2nd guide.

You are definitely on the right place if you are looking for best Hard Drive wipe software (free and paid). There is so many software available online and it becomes really tough to choose one that suits you. For this reason, we are here to provide you with complete and comprehensive detail of hard drive cleaning software.

Recommended: How to uninstall Windows 10 built-in apps?

It is always recommended to go for paid software when it comes for privacy and security of your data as there is much-advanced software available that recover wiped data. But if you have used some of the top nothch hard drive cleaning software then it becomes almost impossible to recover any traces. Best quality webcam.

There is also a query related to deleting data from a dead computer, for all those who have a similar question, please refer to How to wipe hard drive on a dead computer?

Why use hard drive cleaning software?

Most of the people now switching to cloud storage and the demand for hard drive reducing day by day, those days are gone when everything was stored in hard drive. So people now removing all their personal information, privacy data from the hard drive and keeping them in more secure places. To completely remove everything from hard drive, cleaning software is a must.

Or there might be the reason to sell your old hard drive and you are looking to remove everything permanently from it. For this reason, you need to have a hard drive wipe software.

Most people think that deletion of files, folders, removing password, and other information is enough but the reality is different, you can reconstruct everything you have deleted.

10 Best Hard Drive Wipe Software

1. MacPaw CleanMyDrive

MacPaw is one of the top recommendations for Mac products. It is well known for CleanMyMac and CleanMyPC. You can use them to speed up your computer. And on the other side, it also offers CleanMyDrive to wipe out everything from your Mac. It has an amazing platform that shows everything you have on your MacBook.

No matters how tiny the file is, it wipe out everything and left no traces. Let is check some of its features

• Clean Junk files: CleanMyDrive intelligently remove every junk for your drive which are hard to locate.
• Copy your drive: Suppose if you are looking to transfer your important data to another hard drive, simply drag and drop the files to copy instantly.
• Multiple language support: CleanMyDrive works with different languages so you need not worry about this.
• Compatible with all hard drives: CleanMyDrive works with SSD, external hard drives, SD cards, USB flash drives.

How To Completely Erase External Hard Drive

Pricing

CleanMyDrive is free to use and available in the Mac App Store, install it and start using it.

2. CCleaner Drive Wiper

CCleaner is another one of the top-rated software recommended to wipe out hard drive data. CCleaner is widely use for removing junk, hidden, temporary, duplicate files to remove unnecessary data from your computer. It also offers Drive Wiper to remove everything from your hard drive.

CCleaner Drive Wiper uses advanced algorithms to permanently delete everything. Once you download CCleaner, go to tools tab, Choose the type of wipe you require: Free Space Only or Entire Drive, it will warn you before proceeding.

You can either clean a specific partition of the entire drive as per your need. Complete wiping of the drive takes some time and you have to be on hold for a while.

Pricing and plans from CCleaner

CCleaner Drive Wiper is a part of CCleaner application and you can get if for free. CCleaner comes in the paid and free version, but for unlocking its feature, Pro version is the best choice. Our readers get a special discount on CCleaner, check out the latest pricing and discount offer here.

3. Eraser

Eraser is an advanced security tool specifically designed for Windows to remove sensitive data from your hard drive. It overwrites it several times with carefully selected patterns to ensure complete data removal. It also supports Windows file systems including FAT32 and NTFS. Along with your PC's hard drive, it also works with other drives that work with Windows PC.

It offers you a feature that let users schedule disk wiping as per there timings. User can set up a data destruction task to repeat itself.

Pricing

Eraser is a free and open-source software for hard drive data cleaner. Download it for free from the official website. Eraser update the software from time to time.

4. KillDisk

KillDisk is a paid software that has tons of feature along with just erasing hard drive. So far we concluded that KillDisk is one of the fastest cleaning software and the best thing is its ability to work in erasing disks parallel. KillDisk works for Windows and some of its version works for LINUX Operating System. It has the ability to start programming form the bootable disk or the USB to erase the disk.

KillDisk shows the current status of disk health and this is good for Disk Examination for bad sectors & Examine Grading.

KillDisk Features

• Supports 32-bit PC architecture
• Erasing disks in parallel
• Business usage
• Automatic Mode allows to discover & erase hot-swappable disks
• Disk Wipe sanitation of unused clusters on live volumes for most file systems

Pricing and Plans

KillDisk comes with different plans such as Active@ KillDisk, Industrial Software, Desktop / System. You can check out the latest pricing. You can also try the demo version for free to test KillDisk.

5. Disk Wipe

Disk Wipe is a free and portable Windows application for permanent data removal. It also uses advanced algorithms to destroy every trace of data such that recovery is almost impossible. The best thing is, it does not contain adware or malware. Let us check out some of its feature here

Disk Wipe Features

• Delete data permanently from volume disk
• No installation required to delete data
• Works with NTFS, Fat, Fat32 (all major File Systems)
• Lightweight, add free application
• Works with external hard drive

Pricing

As already discussed, Disk Wipe is completely free to use and you can download it from the official website.

6. DBAN

DBAN is widely used open–source data wiping software for personal use. You get the benefits of two with using DBAN. Firstly, you can delete every bit of information and secondly, it also removes viruses/spyware from Microsoft Windows installations. DBAN clearly claims that it does not provide any certificate of data removal from a drive and for this, you have request Blancco Drive Eraser Trial.

Pricing

There are two plans, first DBAN and secondly Blancco. DBAN is completely free to use and recommended for personal use. On the other side, Blancco is recommended for business purpose and you can use its trial version.

7. PCDiskEraser

PCDiskEraser is another free application that wipe out hard drive permanently in the for of partition or completely. It is fast in process, easy to use and one of the best tool in its category. You do not worry if you have erased your data through PCDiskEraser. It permanently deletes the information by actually overwriting all of the data on your hard drive.

PCDiskEraser Feature

• Runs Offline
• Supports File System NTFS, FAT16, FAT32, EXT3, EXT2, Linux swap, Reiser FS and so on.
• Easy to use and processes quickly
• Wipe in a partition and complete drive

Pricing

As already discussed, PCDiskEraser is completely free to use and you can download the latest version from the official website.

8. Super File Shredder

Super File Shredder keeps its place under top 10 best hard drive wipe software. The reason is its advanced security tool for Windows that removes all the data by overwriting it many times. All you need is to install this amazing application and remove all your sensitive data and stay with peace of mind.

Pricing

Super File Shredder is completely free to use and you can download it from here.

9. Windows Built in hard drive wiper

Most of us are not known about the in-built option for hard drive wipe tool. Windows offers this feature to completely erase the hard drive data. You do not require to download any external application once you use security tool from Windows 10.

Follow some simple steps to erase hard drive completely

• Open Settings> Update & Security > Recovery.
• Under Reset this PC, go to Get Started button.
• From the following options, tap on Remove everything.

This completely remove your hard drive data and your computer works as it is new.

10. Disk Utility for macOS

Disk Utility is an option for macOS to remove data completely from hard drive. You can also check the storage consumption and delete them in partition also. Follow some simple steps here.

• Go to Spotlight search and type Disk Utility.
• Select your Drive and tap on Erase button.

This completely erase your drive on MacBook.

Conclusion

These are the list of Best Hard Drive Wipe Software. I hope you find the information here useful and definitely found the right choice as per your need. For the latest tech tutorial and software deals, follow us on Facebook, Twitter.

You may also like:

On this page, you'll learn how to effectively wipe SSD on Windows 10/8/7 on your own:

What Is Secure Erase

Secure Erase is a method used to completely wipe out the data on a hard drive using a set of commands. Secure Erase commands write binary one or zero to the sectors on the hard drive to overwrite all the existing files. That's why the data removed by the Secure Erase commands is not recoverable by any data recovery method available.

However, although they are commands. You cannot run Secure Erase commands like you run commands in Windows 10 in Command Prompt since they are available from the firmware on the hard drive. Thus, to secure erase your SSD in Windows 10, you need third-party software like EaseUS partition manager software to help you execute these operations.

When Do You Need to Wipe an SSD

When do you need to perform a secure erase on an SSD? Completely wiping an SSD is needed when you want to:

• Resell the SSD: One of the preparations you need to make before reselling a storage device like SSD is to wipe out all the data on it, which prevents others from accessing your files.
• Prepare the SSD for another user: To protect your information, you may want to destroy the files on the storage device.
• Clean up SSD for other usages: To clear SSD for OS installation, using it as a game drive, or a second data disk, etc.
• Remove virus or malware on the device: If your SSD is infected by a virus or malware, you may want to totally remove it by secure erase your device.

How to Wipe SSD in Windows 10

Follow through the process in this part, you'll securely erase SSD and make it ready for any purpose as listed above:

We suggest you follow the tutorials one by one as presented in this part. If you don't have essential data saved on your SSD, skip the 1st guide and start from the 2nd guide.

Erase Hard Drive Windows 10

#1st. Download SSD Secure Erase Tool to Wipe SSD on Windows 10

Professional partition tool - EaseUS Partition Master will help you securely erase and wipe an SSD in Windows 10, fully clean up SSD, making data unrecoverable with ease. This disk/partition management tool has a feature named 'Wipe Data', which works almost the same with Secure Erase commands.

'Wipe Data' vs Secure Erase Commands

Both the 'Wipe Data' feature and the Secure Erase command erase your data by overwriting all the data on your SSD. However, Wipe Data feature in EaseUS Partition Master exceeds the Secure Erase command:

• Secure Erase writes binary 1 or 0 to the disk sectors while 'Wipe Data' writes random numbers.
• Wipe Data doesn't damage the SSD, while the Secure Erase command will.
• Wipe Data in EaseUS Partition Master is easier than Secure Erase, which is especially friendly to beginners.

Get the software to wipe your SSD in Windows 10 right now:

#3rd. Simple Steps to Wipe an SSD in Windows 10

These operations cannot be undone after applying the changes. Once again, if you have valuable data saved on SSD, back up them at first.

Step 1: Install and launch EaseUS Partition Master.

Select the HDD or SSD which you want to wipe. And right-click to choose 'Wipe Data'. https://landtikirsmi1978.wixsite.com/torrentevent/post/how-to-download-photoshop-on-new-computer.

Step 2: Set the number of times to wipe data.

You can set to 10 at most. Then Click 'OK'.

Step 3: Check the message.

A message tells you that the computer would restart after disk erase is recommended. Then click 'OK'. Free online graphic design software download. How to run logic pro on windows.

Step 4: Click 'Apply' to apply the changes.

Click 'Execute the operation' and then click 'Apply' to start wiping data.

Be careful that once the process is carried out by EaseUS Partition Master, the data will become unrecoverable with any data recovery software or service! Wait for the process to complete and then you can use the wiped SSD as a new disk for installing a new OS, games or sell it online. Instastack for instagram 3 1 1.

You may also interest in: How to Install a New HDD/SSD on Windows 10/8/7.

The Bottom Line

People might want to wipe or erase an SSD drive for various reasons. Erasing an SSD (solid-state drive) can sanitize the drive. So you can make sure that the virus or malware will no longer hide somewhere in the drive.

Besides, wiping an SSD helps to recover lost performance on systems with inefficient garbage collection. But unlike a traditional hard drive disk (HDD), there are not so many tools that can wipe SSD drive. Here to save your time and efforts, we recommend you to try EaseUS partition software, a secure erase utility that does work with SSD drives.

People Also Ask About Secure Erase SSD

You can securely and completely wipe your SSD in Windows 10 to erase all the content, including personal data, viruses or malware using EaseUS Partition Master. If you have further questions related to secure erase SSD, check the questions and answers below, you will get a satisfying answer.

How To Completely Erase An External Hard Drive

1. Does Secure Erase damage SSD?

Erase External Backup

As explained on this page, Secure Erase is a process that runs commands from the firmware to wipe disk data, writing binary one or zero to the hard drive at a sector level.

This will make data unrecoverable on SSD, which may also do some damage to the disk while writing the 0 and 1. To protect your SSD, we suggest you try a third-party disk wiping tool like EaseUS Partition Master for help.

2. How do I avoid data loss due to securely wipe an SSD?

As we recommend, to avoid data loss while wiping an SSD, it's necessary that you back up all essential data to another device in advance. You may try EaseUS Todo Backup to create a backup image of your SSD data with the following steps:

Step 1: Launch EaseUS Todo Backup software and then choose 'File Backup', 'Disk/partition Backup' or 'System Backup' for different backup purpose.

Step 2: Choose the system, disk partition, files or apps that you want to back up. Then select a destination where you want to store the backup file.

Step 3: Click 'Proceed' to start the data backup process.

To securely wipe an SSD and make the disk clean, you'll need a professional disk wiping tool for help. As recommended on this page, EaseUS Partition Master is able to help.

3. How do I secure erase Samsung SSD?

To erase Samsung SSD, you may revert to the steps above to complete the process. Or you can follow the quick guide here to get jobs done:

#1. Back up useful data on Samsung SSD to another device.

#2. Download a reliable wipe tool to secure erase Samsung SSD.

Here you can try EaseUS Partition Master, or other wipe tools like Samsung Magician SSD Tool, SanDisk SSD Dashboard, etc.

#3. Securely erase and wipe Samsung SSD with selected wipe tool.