Simply deleting the files will free their blocks on the filesystem but not wipe the data. If you want to make sure the DATA is 'destroyed' a single wipe through is your best bet.Īs for clearing specific folders your best bet would be to overwrite the files with random data. If you just want to clear the hardrive so you can reinstall the system a simple format will work fine.

Would accomplish the same thing as single-pass 0-wipeĭoing a simple format on the Hard Drive will clear the Partition table and takes several seconds, However the DATA is still intact and recoverable easily using standard tools. Booting into a linux live-cd and running dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda Even fast hard drives have a sustainable write rate of ~ 100MB/s which means that a 1.5TB will take that long.ĭBAN allows for more exotic wiping patterns, like a seven run random pattern which will take almost a day at these transfer rates. Unfortunately the realities of the technology means you will need to wait a while - DBAN allows you to select how you wipe the drives (how many times and what pattern), a single pass 0 wipe which is enough for 99% of everyone (recoverable only with very expensive technology) will take a little over 4 hours. Its a selfcontained bootable utility that allows for wiping Hard Drives. Most people I know use DBAN or 'Darik's Boot and Nuke'.

Wipe hard drive windows 7