When you delete files and then empty the Recycle Bin, you don’t actually erase the information, you just delete the reference to it so that the operating system can’t find it. All the data is still there and, unless it’s overwritten, can be easily recovered using file recovery software tools. Data destruction software, however, truly does erase the data. These programs utilize one or more data sanitization methods that can permanently overwrite the information on the drive. If you need to remove all traces of a virus, or you’re planning on recycling or disposing of your hard drive or computer, wiping your hard drive using one of these programs is the best way to protect yourself. Below is a list of the best, completely free data destruction software programs available today: Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, RCMP TSSIT OPS-II, Gutmann, Random Data, Write Zero DBAN is freely available in a ready-to-go ISO format, so all you need to do is burn it to a CD or flash drive and then boot from it. The DBAN program’s menu interface is also very easy to use. See our How to Erase a Hard Drive Using DBAN for help. DBAN is an open-source project and a great tool that should certainly be your first choice if wanting to completely erase a hard drive. However, you should know that it does not support SSDs. Because DBAN works from outside of the operating system, it can work with any version of any OS, like Windows, macOS, etc. To erase the hard drive that’s running an operating system, you’re required to boot to the program, whereas deleting another internal or external drive can be done with the Windows version. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, RMCP DSX, Schneier, VSITR In addition to the above, you can create your own custom method to include 1s, 0s, random data, or custom text with a custom number of passes. The bootable version tells you how large each drive is, but that’s about the only identifiable information given, whereas the Windows version makes it easier to know what drive you’re about to wipe clean. The Windows version of CBL Data Shredder works with Windows XP through Windows 11. The thing we like best about MHDD is the variety of easy-to-use forms that it’s downloadable in. You can download an ISO file for disc or flash drive booting, a floppy image, the program itself ready for your own boot disk, and more. Data Sanitization Methods: Secure Erase Like the bootable data destruction programs from above, MHDD can erase any hard drive so long as you use a working operating system to burn the program to a disc/floppy/drive. Data Sanitization Methods: Write Zero Like the above bootable data destruction software, you can download a simple ISO file for burning to disc or USB drive. You can also install a regular application to run KillDisk from within the OS. KillDisk works with both regular hard drives and solid state drives. Unfortunately, some of KillDisk’s settings work only in the professional version. KillDisk works in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. There’s also a Linux and Mac version available. Data Sanitization Methods: Write Zero Since all Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Vista users already have the format command at their disposal, this is a quick and effective data destruction method. Granted, you won’t be able to satisfy some stringent data sanitization standards, but if that’s not a concern then this option is perfect. You can use the format command either as a data destruction tool from a bootable disc, enabling you to completely erase the primary drive, or as a way to erase any other drive from Command Prompt from within Windows. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, DoD 5220.28-STD, Random Data, Write Zero The program has a very nice look to it and is super easy to use. Just select a hard drive (regular or SSD) that should be erased and choose a wiping method. Click the large Wipe Now button, type “WIPE” in the box to confirm you want to continue, and then click Start to begin the process. Windows is the only supported operating system, and because you have to run Macrorit Data Wiper from the hard drive, you’re unable to use it to wipe the primary drive. We tested Macrorit Data Wiper in Windows 10 and Windows 8, but it also works in other Windows versions like Windows 11 and XP. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, AFSSI-5020, AR 380-19, RCMP TSSIT OPS-II, HMG IS5, VSITR, GOST R 50739-95, Gutmann, Schneier, Random Data As far as advanced options go, Eraser wins the data destruction competition hands down. With Eraser, you can schedule data destruction with all the precision you’d expect with any scheduling tool. This program should work with both traditional drives and SSDs. Eraser works in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Eraser also works on Windows Server 2016 through 2003. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data We like Freeraser so much because it’s incredibly easy to use. It places a Recycle Bin-like icon on your desktop, so you just need to drag all of a drive’s files/folders into the bin for everything, subfolders and all, to be forever erased from your computer. Freeraser can also be used as a portable program by choosing that option during setup. Freeraser works with Windows 11 through Windows XP. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, GOST R 50739-95, Gutmann, HMG IS5, Random Data, Write Zero Disk Wipe is really easy to use because it walks you through a wizard to perform the data wipe. Because it requires the OS to be running to work, it can’t be used to erase the drive you have Windows running on, but it should work just fine for other mechanical and solid state drives. Disk Wipe is said to work only in Windows Vista and XP, but we tested it in Windows 10 and Windows 8 without any issues. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, GOST R 50739-95, Gutmann, Random Data, Schneier, VSITR, Write Zero Hardwipe is easy for anyone to use. Just load the drive that should be cleaned and choose a data sanitization method that should be used. Hardwipe works with all the most recent versions of Windows, from Windows XP to Windows 11. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data, VSITR After selecting the drive or partition that should be wiped, just click Start deletion to choose one of the above methods. After Secure Eraser has done its job, you can set it to reboot the computer, exit, or shutdown the computer. Because Secure Eraser runs from within Windows, you can’t use it to erase the hard drive that it’s installed to (like the C drive). However, it does work with both traditional HDDs and SSDs, as well as USB-connected storage devices. Secure Eraser can be installed on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as Windows Server 2019 through 2003. To use PrivaZer to wipe away a whole drive, choose Delete without a trace from the main menu, select Sensitive directories, and choose a hard drive. Data Sanitization Methods: AFSSI-5020, AR 380-19, DoD 5220.22-M, IREC (IRIG) 106, NAVSO P-5239-26, NISPOMSUP Chapter 8 Section 8-501, NSA Manual 130-2, Write Zero These methods can be changed through Advanced options > Cleanup. Because PrivaZer can do many other privacy cleaning tasks like deleting old files and erasing internet activity traces, it can be a confusing process to use just the data wipe feature. PrivaZer works in 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. A portable version is also available from the download page. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data We like that PC Shredder is portable and has a simple interface. It doesn’t seem apparent that you can wipe an entire disk, but if you choose Add Folder, you can simply select a disk and it will erase everything that’s on it. PC Shredder is said to work in only Windows Vista and XP, but we didn’t have any problems using it with Windows 10. Data Sanitization Methods: Write Zero To wipe an entire disk with AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition, just select any disk from the panel to the right and then click Wipe Partition from the Partition menu option. This program is primarily used as a disk management program, so finding the data wipe feature among all the other settings can be a little daunting. However, you must confirm every operation you try to perform, so it’s hard to accidentally cause harm to any files. AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition works with Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Random Data, Write Zero Remo Drive Wipe is a pretty simple program. It walks you through a type of wizard where you select the drive to wipe and then choose a deletion method. Remove Drive Wipe is said to work in Windows 10 down through Windows XP, as well as Windows Server 2008 and 2003. We tested it in Windows 8 without any issues. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Schneier, Write Zero CCleaner works from within the operating system, so it can’t wipe the data off the same drive that Windows is installed to. However, it can wipe the free space of that drive. You can choose more than one drive at once for CCleaner to wipe them all consecutively. It supports both SSDs and mechanical drives. Once CCleaner is opened, go to the Tools section and then select Drive Wiper to access this data wiping feature. Be sure to choose Entire Drive from the dropdown menu. The latest version of CCleaner can be installed on Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7, as well as Windows Server 2012 and 2008. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data, Write Zero File Shredder isn’t as easy to use as some of these programs because you can’t drag the drive itself into the program. Instead, you have to drag and drop all the files and folders you want to delete. However, you can grab the contents from the root of the drive and drop them into File Shredder. File Shredder works with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, and Windows Server 2008. Data Sanitization Methods: AR 380-19, DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Write Zero The program is very easy to use. Just choose the drive, select one of the methods from above, and choose the file system that the drive should end up being. This data wiping program works with both SSDs and mechanical HDDs. Hard Drive Eraser is said to work with Windows Vista and XP only, but we could also use it just fine in both Windows 10 and Windows 8. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data, Write Zero Just start by choosing a sanitization method from the settings, and then add the entire hard drive to the queue or drag and drop it from Windows Explorer. Like many of these data destruction programs later in this list, Super File Shredder can only wipe drives other than the one you’re using. Super File Shredder works with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data Like many similar programs from this list, this one lets you drag and drop files and folders directly into the program to remove them. If you’re erasing an entire hard drive, drag everything over, subfolders and all. It’s said to work only with Windows 7, Vista, and XP. However, we tested it in Windows 10 and Windows 8 without any issues. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, DoD 5220.28-STD, Write Zero MiniTool Drive Wipe is easy to use. Just select whether you want to wipe a partition or whole disk and then choose a sanitization method. There aren’t any unnecessary tools or settings that can be confusing. You can use this program on both traditional and solid state drives. MiniTool Drive Wipe can run on 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Windows 2000 is also supported. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Random Data, Write Zero To wipe a whole hard drive of its data, simply choose to add a folder and then select the root of the drive you wish to securely erase. If that doesn’t work, add all the root folders, but just not the actual drive letter. You can erase files on both SSDs and traditional hard drives. The program is a bit outdated, and therefore is a little different to move around in. Data Sanitization Methods: Bit Toggle, DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, MS Cipher, Random Data, Write Zero You can log activities to a file, optionally wipe just the free space, and choose custom text to use for overwriting data. After clicking Wipe, you must read and confirm a four-character code to ensure you really want to use WipeDisk to erase all the files, which is a handy obstacle used to avoid accidentally erasing a whole hard drive. We tested WipeDisk on Windows 10 and Windows 8, but it should also run on previous versions of Windows too. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Schneier, Write Zero Both internal and external drives are compatible and you have the option to wipe just the free space or the entire disk. Like other non-bootable, installable programs in this list, you won’t be able to use this program to wipe your C drive. Puran Wipe Disk works in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as Windows Server 2008 and 2003. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data, Write Zero Because there isn’t a “hard drive” section to BitKiller, you need to choose Add Folder and then select the hard drive you want to erase. Something we don’t like about BitKiller is that you can’t cancel the file shredding once it has started. There is a cancel button, but it’s not clickable once you’ve begun deleting a hard drive. We tested BitKiller in Windows 10 and Windows 8. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data If you choose the Random Data wipe method, you can choose how many times (1-3) you want the data overwritten. Drag and drop and Windows context menu integration is supported, as well as password protection for the whole program. Simple File Shredder performs just as the name suggests - it’s very easy to use and isn’t as complicated as some of the others on this list. We got Simple File Shredder to work only in Windows XP. Ashampoo WinOptimizer’s mini program, called File Wiper, lets you erase the contents of a hard drive by choosing to load a folder. It can also erase the contents of the Recycle Bin (and single files) using any of the sanitization methods from below. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Write Zero To use this tool, go to the File tools menu on the left of the program and then choose File Wiper from there. Ashampoo WinOptimizer Free officially works with Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. Data Sanitization Methods: Schneier, Write Zero Instead of deleting a hard drive’s files by opening the program first, you can do so from the right-click context menu in Windows Explorer by right-clicking any hard drive and choose AbsoluteShield File Shredder from the menu. The shredding method can be changed from the Action menu. We tested AbsoluteShield File Shredder in Windows 10 and Windows XP, so it should also work with Windows 11, 8, etc. You’ll be prompted to confirm the removal of all the files. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M DeleteOnClick only supports one data wipe method, so it’s not nearly as advanced as most of these other programs. Because DeleteOnClick runs from inside Windows, it can’t be used to erase the primary drive that Windows is installed on. DeleteOnClick can be installed on Windows 11 through Windows 2000. Data Sanitization Methods: Gutmann, Random Data, Secure Erase, Write Zero CopyWipe for DOS has an Entropy Source option you can define before erasing a drive, which lets you choose how random data should be created. For example, you can enter random keys on the keyboard to generate entropy for the operation or choose to use the current time and speed of the computer. There are hardly any options with CopyWipe, and although the interface is in text form and not too user-friendly, it’s actually pretty simple to use and makes you confirm that you want to wipe a drive before starting. CopyWipe for Windows is entirely portable, which means it doesn’t need to be installed before you can use it. It runs on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M SDelete is part of the Sysinternals Suite of free system utilities available from Microsoft. SDelete does not utilize Secure Erase even though its name might lead you to think otherwise. There are several drawbacks to using SDelete and the information on their download page has a fair discussion of those issues. If you need a full-drive data destruction program then SDelete isn’t a good choice, but it could be very useful in specific situations. SDelete works with all Windows operating systems newer than Windows XP, as well as Windows Server 2008 and higher. Just load a hard drive using the Add Folders button and click Shred to immediately start the process. You can also shred files from Windows Explorer by right-clicking and choosing Shred file/folder. Data Sanitization Methods: Random Data Wise Care 365 can also completely remove deleted files by overwriting them with more secure sanitization methods than the data destruction tool. This tool is called Disk Eraser, located in the Privacy Protector section of Wise Care 365. Wise Care 365 works with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. There’s also a portable version available from within the installable version. Just choose Erase files and folders from the main screen and then click Add Folders to browse for the hard drive to wipe. Data Sanitization Methods: Random Data ProtectStar Data Shredder sometimes prompts to buy the professional version, but you can easily click USE FREEWARE to bypass them. We were able to run ProtectStar Data Shredder in Windows 10, 7, and XP, but we’re sure it also works in other versions like Windows 11. Data Sanitization Methods: Secure Erase Using hdparm as a data destruction software program is risky and unnecessary with a great Secure Erase based data destruction tool like MHDD, listed above. The only reason we’ve included the hdparm method of issuing a Secure Erase command is because we want to have a comprehensive list of options available. We don’t recommend that you use hdparm unless you’re very familiar with command line tools. Misuse of this tool could cause your hard drive to become unusable. hdparm works with Windows 11 through Windows XP. Data Sanitization Methods: Write Zero You can use HDShredder from a disc or flash drive and boot from it for erasing the drive that has Windows installed on it, like the C drive. Alternatively, you can install it to Windows like a regular program and use it for securely erasing data from a different drive, like a flash drive or a different hard drive. The Windows version can be installed on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as Windows Server 2003-2016.
