How to Remove Sensitive Data from Hard Disk Permanently?
Make sure that any sensitive data you wish to permanently remove from your hard disk cannot be recovered in any way. Erasing or “wiping” data using different overwriting techniques is one way to attempt permanent deletion. The best and most efficient techniques for erasing hard drive data beyond recovery are covered in this blog.
Everybody has some personal information stored on their devices. However, storage devices, like hard drives, have a lifespan, and you may want to dispose of them if they stop working. Additionally, you could choose to share your smartphone with your loved ones or donate it. To avoid any unwanted access, you must erase the hard drive regardless of the circumstances.
You can accomplish this by executing a Quick/Full format on your hard disk, emptying the recycle bin, or using the Shift + Del key (in Windows) to remove your sensitive data. Regardless of the method used for deletion, your data will be recoverable. Only the file pointers, or entries, are erased when a file is deleted from a hard drive; the data is still there, albeit inaccessible, and may be readily recovered using a trustworthy data recovery program.
You therefore need a secure method to not only delete but also completely erase your private data files from the hard drive. But first, learn what “Erase” and “Wipe” mean.
‘Erase or Wipe’: What Does It Mean?
To guarantee that data is lost forever with no possibility of recovery, “Erase” or “Wipe” means overwriting the current data onto every sector of the hard drive with 0s, 1s, or random patterns. In other words, it completely replaces the data on the hard disk, rendering the original data illegible or inaccessible.
The best method: Before erasing your hard drive’s contents, don’t forget to create a backup of your most crucial data.
How to Remove Sensitive Data from Hard Disk Permanently?
#1 Method- Use SDelete to Delete Data
You can delete files and folders with this command-line program. Using a safe delete pattern, it overwrites the drive’s free space to remove all traces of previously erased files. To erase data from a hard drive, follow these steps:
- After downloading the SDelete utility, extract the file to a desktop location.
- Launch Command Prompt and enter administrator credentials.
- Type cd D:\tools and press “Enter” if the SDelete file is in D:\tools. (If the file is kept somewhere else, change the drive letter.)
- Sdelete d:\tools\mytext.txt is the type. Press ‘Enter’ now to delete the mytext.txt file that is located in the ‘tools’ folder on D drive. (Refer to Image 1)
- Wait for the completion of the procedure. After it’s finished, a notification indicating that the files have been fully erased will appear.
Cons
- There isn’t a GUI provided.
- A little challenging because it’s a CMD line tool that needs many commands to function.
- It’s unrealistic to know the folders and file locations of all browsing data, junk files, etc.
- To use this tool, you need technical know-how; else, you risk losing your data forever.
#2 Method- Utilizing Windows PowerShell to Use Cipher
Cipher can be used with Windows PowerShell to remove data from hard disks. You can effectively wipe data beyond recovery with the help of this Windows built-in capability. To use a cipher to erase data from a hard disk, follow these steps:
- To launch Windows PowerShell, type PowerShell into the Windows search box.
- The Windows PowerShell window will then open. Press Enter after typing cipher /w: folder.
- Type cipher /w: C:\folder and hit Enter to remove the C: folder. (Refer to Image 2)
- The free space will be successfully overwritten in the process. (But the space where the files are already located won’t be removed.)
Let the procedure conclude. Permanently deleting files could take some time.
Cons
- lengthy procedure
- There isn’t a GUI provided.
- Using a command-line program that needs several commands to function
#3 Method- Permanently Delete Private Info Making use of DBAN
Darik’s Boot and Nuke, or DBAN, is an open-source data eraser utility made to safely remove data from Windows 10’s hard disk. Everything on HDDs, including installed apps, system files, private files, and even the operating system, may be erased using this do-it-yourself utility. It also cleans your PC of viruses and spyware. Use DBAN to remove data by following these steps:
- Get the DBAN software. It’ll download an ISO file. The ISO file can be downloaded to a different computer or to the one from which you wish to remove data.
- Burn this ISO file to a bootable media, like a flash drive or CD drive, after downloading it.
- Restart your computer by inserting the bootable USB device that you used to burn the file.
- Select a choice from the DBAN main menu now.
Important Note: DBAN can only be used with a keyboard. A mouse won’t do anything. You will need to utilize the keyboard keys and follow the instructions.
- A blue screen with new instructions will appear. To begin utilizing DBAN with Quick Commands, use the F3 command using the Fn key (Windows 10). (Refer to Image 3)
- Select the DBAN data sanitization method after reviewing the commands. (Refer to Image 4)
- To erase the hard drive, select it. And wait for the files to be deleted by the utility. (Refer to Image 5)
- A notification indicating that the erasing procedure is finished will appear on the screen after it is finished.
Cons
- To run the program, you must burn the ISO file on a CD or USB drive, which could be a little challenging for regular Windows users.
- A built-in CD drive is not always present in laptops.
- Solid-State Drives (SSDs) cannot be detected or used by it.
- There is no guarantee that all data on the drive will be deleted.
- The free edition lacks software upgrades and support.
#4 Method- Certified Solution to Remove Sensitive Data from Hard Disk Permanently
CubexSoft Data Erasure Tool is also a trustworthy and strong program that can completely delete your data. This tool comes with a very simple GUI which allows you to remove hard disk data beyond the scope of recovery. The Data Eraser Software protects your privacy by permanently removing folders/files, browsing history, providing you instant peace of mind.
It is completely safe to download and use, in contrast to the previously described methods. Your C: drive’s system files and apps are unaffected. To guarantee safe file deletion, it uses data erasure techniques that are based on US Department of Defense Standards. Even without technical assistance or knowledge, you can utilize this application. This utility also smoothly works with all macOS and Win OS platforms.
Cons
After the 30-day free trial, activation is compulsory.
Final Lines
We have discussed the best available techniques to fix the “how to remove sensitive data from hard disk permanently” query. All these techniques can overwrite information beyond the possibility of recovery. But, they hold some disadvantages with every single software. One can analyze the above data deletion approaches based upon their functions, convenience of use, data erasure procedures, support, etc., and decide the one that best suits your data removal requirements.
