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I have an old PC that I want to sell. But first, I want to delete all the data from the hard drive. I don't want to just format because I heard old data can still be recovered. I want to completely erase everything. What can I use to do this?

Bob Maria
2012-06-06 06:36:29
Kernel File Shredder is one of the efficient tool to securely erase all the contents of har disk making it impossible to recover. The more info about software can be found here : http://www.nucleustechnologies.com/kernel-file-shredder.html
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Ray
2011-12-22 02:19:00
I have used a freeware program called Eraser.  But that does not get rid of operating system unless the disk is mounted non-system...  It goes as far as a 35 pass Gutmann algorithm (but you might wait a week for that)...
Jeff Fabish
2011-12-22 03:17:00
A recent study revealed that a single null-byte pass is good enough, anything else is simply overkill. 
2011-12-21 08:49:00
Insert your windows cd boot on it, choose the old hard drive and ask format.
Jay
2011-12-21 08:19:00
you need dban or a shredder that deletes data and prevents data recovery.Article on shredders by makeuseof :http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/free-file-shredders-to-make-deleted-files-unrecoverable https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-wipe-a-hard-drive/ oops, did not realize dban was already suggested under the scroll bar. please sort the comments, as they were if possible
FIDELIS
2011-12-21 08:18:00
Hello, one of the better ones, is the following:http://www.dban.org/downloadThere are other options:Active Kill disk:http://www.killdisk.com/
Jeff Fabish
2011-12-21 08:12:00
Waseem,Good idea. DBAN (Darik's Boot And Nuke) is my favourite utility. It takes a considerable amount of time to finish, but is well worth every second. Just burn that sucker to a disk and begin the wipe.
CCleaner also has a nifty file shredder as well, which doesn't require your to burn a disk.  Related Articles • 5 Tools To Permanently Delete Sensitive Data From Your Hard Drive [Windows] • How To Completely & Securely Erase Your Hard Drive [Windows] • How To Protect Sensitive Information by Erasing Your Hard Disk Completely - Jeff