Simply deleting the files will free their blocks on the filesystem but not wipe the data. Now, before proceeding, make sure your computer is preset to boot.
#HOW TO WIPE A COMPUTER WINDOWS 7 WINDOWS 10#
The new user of the computer has asked for a complete wipe of the laptop, followed by a fresh reinstallation of Windows 10 (at that point, only the OS is on the machine). For Windows 7, you will need a restore disc or an original Windows 7 installation disc. We have been asked to repurpose a laptop computer that has Windows 10 Pro 20H2 as the operating system.
#HOW TO WIPE A COMPUTER WINDOWS 7 HOW TO#
Part 2: How to Completely Wipe Windows 7 1. So, now you know how to completely wipe a computer running on Windows 8. This will open the formatting menu, which provides several options for how to wipe the drive and rename it after formatting. Select 'Format' Next, right-click on the specific drive youre wanting to wipe, then select Format. 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. The hard disk on your Windows 8 computer will be erased completely. A window will open that displays some of your computer files and whatever drives that are connected to it. If you just want to clear the hardrive so you can reinstall the system a simple format will work fine. If you have files or folders which are containing sensitive data related to your personal life or business and want completely abolish it from your laptop. 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. Software to wipe Windows 7 laptop data As a Windows 7 laptop user you might have come across a situation where you wanted to permanently delete sensitive data due to some privacy concern. 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. I have a new laptop on its way and my friend suggested for me to to a clean wipe/format and then reinstall Windows 7. 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".