Any suggestions to clean the hard drive of personal data, so that I can give my laptop without security concerns?

Any suggestions to clean the hard drive of personal data, so that I can give my laptop without security concerns?

Richard's suggestion is about as extreme as you can get. Of course, it works very well and the data is not recoverable, but unless you have State secrets then it might be a little overkill. It is the only way to be sure that the data is destroyed, but 100%!

There are programs such as (Darin of Boot and Nuke) DBAN or KillDisk which can erase the disc at the point where it would take massive resources (money, time and material) to retrieve all the data. Then, a new installation or Windows recovery would be needed. But you don't have to replace the hard drive. It is effective even against the pirates experienced more than 99.9%.

Tags: Windows

Similar Questions

  • What is the best way to delete personal data so that I can sell a laptop?

    I have a laptop of 2 year, that would be perfect for daily use.  I want to delete my personal data and sell it.  I know there are tools that formateront the whole disc.  However, I have to reinstall the OS and I'm not sure of the easiest way to do it.  The laptop is pre-configured with Windows and I have no disks in the system.  Is there something that will remove my personal data safely and leave intact BONES?

    Hello

    I would ask you to check out the link and follow the suggestions in the article:

    Protect and serve your personal files

    http://www.Microsoft.com/athome/organization/personalfiles.aspx#fBid=WzoMtBLtPbX

    WARNING: Using third-party software, including hardware drivers can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from starting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the use of third-party software can be solved. Software using third party is at your own risk.

    Thank you.

  • Can I clean the hard drive before installing Windows Dell & as I've heard doesent clean properly. And how to clean the drive of DART?

    Can I clean hard drive before installing Dell Windows 7 / as I have heard it is not clean everything properly. So how to clean the hard drive?

    Or can I restore my office before you install Windows 7 in the first place when it's new?

    Kind regards

    Bert Pooler

    Yes, you can restore the State as it was when new...

    Your computer is equipped with a recovery instead of disk partition...

    This is how the recovery partition is accessible to most popular brands...

    For Dell, press CTRL + F11 directly after switching on the device

    You may need to try several times to get everything above to work. If after several attempts, you have no chance, or the machine indicates that there is no recovery partition, your only option is to contact the computer manufacturer and ask for the model recovery discs...

    After the reset, you should get all the updates from Windows Update EXCEPT for hardware devices. Then, you install a good antivirus. ONLY AFTER you have done this, if you replace the stuff of backups or install anything else.

  • MacBook pro work leave because of pulled and broken wire.  I took out the hard drive.  the hard drive has all my files that I wouldn't need to clear all of the other personal files?

    MacBook pro work leave because of pulled and broken wire.  I took out the hard drive.  the hard drive has all my files that I wouldn't need to clear all of the other personal files?

    It does not start to the top, screen and hardware ok except belt disconnected.

    also can I sell adapter, brand new, never used. where can I sell?

    Hi Wally, the hard disk OS X and all of your files. Get a case for your reader, and it backs up. Try OWC

    Always keep your Mac backed up on an external drive with Time Machine or utility of cloning like SuperDuperor double clone.

    Try eBay for the adapter.

  • How to clean the hard drive of the computer

    I need to know how to erase my hard drive to get rid of a virus

    Hello Nguyen,

    Thank you for visiting Microsoft Community.

    I understand you want to wipe your hard drive to remove any infection by the virus from your computer.

    I would be grateful if you can provide us with the following information to help us better understand the issue.

    1. When you say 'I need to wipe my hard drive to get rid of the virus', do you mean you want to remove the virus from your computer or to completely erase your hard drive by erasing all the data on it?
    2. You want to clean install a new copy of Windows on your computer after removing all your data from the hard drive?

    If you do not want to delete all your data and do not want to clean your computer of viruses, you can scan your computer with the Microsoft Safety Scanner.

    Download and run Microsoft security scanner from the link below.

    http://www.Microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx

    Note: The data files that are infected must be cleaned only by removing the file completely, which means that there is a risk of data loss.

    However, if you want to completely clean your computer, just remove the hard drive and pure, install a fresh copy of Windows on your hard drive, you can read the article below to do so.

    How to perform a new installation of Windows?

    http://Windows.Microsoft.com/en-us/Windows-8/clean-install

    Important note: Perform a clean installation will mean that all your data currently on your hard disk will be permanently lost. It is strongly recommended to have all your important data saved enough on any driver external before performing one of the suggestions above.

    Hope this information is useful. Do not hesitate to write back for any further assistance with Windows, we will be happy to help you.

  • HP Pavilion dv4-2049us suggestions to replace the hard drive of 250 GB? SMART disk error

    Any suggestions what to buy to replace the hard drive to a hard drive of 250 GB of HP Pavilion dv4-2049us that failed?

    SMART hard disk error (SMART check: failed)

    Failure ID: 0LJ8QF-5096HN-XD7XHA - 60CT 03

    Product ID: VV662UA #ABA

    Appreciate any help.

    Hello:

    Chapter 3 of the service manual indicates that you can go to a 500 GB 7 200 RPN SATA II HDD.

    http://h10032.www1.HP.com/CTG/manual/c01963667.PDF

    I recommend these to this provider if you live in the United States.

    500 GB:

    http://www.Newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16822136856

    320 GB:

    http://www.Newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16822136280

    250 GB: (the 320 GB drive is cheaper)

    http://www.Newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16822136279

    You will also need to order a set of recovery disks to reinstall the operating system and the programs supplied with your PC if did you not have a game when you got the laptop.

  • How to clean the hard drive on a Macbook.

    Hi there Apple community support.

    I am trying to clean my internal hard drive. Lately my Macbook has been telling me that my startup disk is almost full, so I was passing by and clean all my files on the hard drive. Also, when I looked at the "about this mac" window to see what was on the hard drive, he told me there were about 50 GB of apps and about 50 GB of movies, this seemed a bit strange that I have not a lot of other apps on my Macbook apart from those he came with, and I also deleted a large number of films I've had. So basically I don't see why my boot drive is full after I deleted a lot of things out of it.

    Thank you

    Morgan

    Make sure you emptied the Recycle Bin.  Did you also removed the unwanted items from your download folder?  You empty the trash in the Photo app?

    OS X El Capitan: increase the disk space

    Thinness of your hard drive

  • I bought a new desktop computer... and you want to clean the hard drive of my 9 year old machine. How can I do?

    I have removed my bank details, etc., but feel that I need to wipe the hard drive completely.

    Hi JohnSykes952,

    Try the Dariks boot and nuke.

    http://www.DBAN.org/

    How to clear a drive with freeware.

    http://www.ehow.com/how_6167204_wipe-disk-freeware.html

    DBan FAQ

    http://www.DBAN.org/FAQ

    You will need software to burn the program on a disk for use of disc burning.

    Try IMGBurn.

    http://www.ImgBurn.com/index.php?Act=download

    Guide ImgBurn

    http://www.ImgBurn.com/index.php?Act=guides

    Good luck..

  • How to clear the HARD drive for confidential data before attaching to the third party?

    My HARD drive needs to be fixed and would like to know how to erase confidential data in the HARD drive before giving it to third parties.

    Reformatted would it be sufficient?

    Does anyone have any suggestions?

    Thanks in advance for your suggestions

    The best way in my opinion is using AutoNuke in Dban. Make sure you have the desired data off the drive hard until you execute Dban. Once you run it, it's over.

  • Replaced the hard drive with same MFG and size and can not start

    I have a HP P6247c, windows 7. It was freezing at the top and then I received a message that was not the hard drive. I replaced the power supply 2 days before with a 400 Watt power supply. After I received the message of hard disk, I ran a checkdisk and found many segments I couldn't read. After checkdisk, the computer would not boot. I buy a seagate 500 gig drive and installed is the same as the original drive.

    With no backup, I bought the system for this computer recovery disk. I received three disk with the recovery disk and a 4th system (SDRD UPDATE). The disc SDRD has said above to install this drive frist. I did it, but know not what happed after inserting the disc into the DVD player (saw nothing happen). Then I incerted the frist and nothing windows disk arrived. I stopped with the system recovery disk, because nothing was working. Then, I used a repair disk and got an error IO error 0xc00000e9 message.

    I can get to try to start and press the AF button ESC. It give me a message on hp logo (blue screen) indicating the BIOS loading but does nothing after that. How can I solve my problems. I tried reinstalling memory chiop and check all connections to ensure good connection.

    Note: before replacing the power supply, I found a lot of dust on all internal components. I cleaned all with air.

    I recommend to try a Linux Live CD that will test to see if the hardware can actually support a simple OS.  It does not need to install anything, just to do the Live CD on a work computer, and then try to start the PC on the Live CD problem.  If it works well and can do many things, wait for a PC, then try a sale installation disc retail for Windows (same version that is from the factory) and use the key on the COA sticker.  If that fails, then it must be a hardware problem and requires more tests or a repair shop or a punt.

  • My new HDD is damaged, I would that the instructions to remove the hard drive and install windows 7, so I can later install windows 8.

    Hardware failure on the disk.  Installer installed new drive and put it on Vista.  I have corrupted data and can not download the service pack 1 upgrade to windows 8.  Can I erase the hard drive and buy a cd for windows 8.  If yes how I wipe the drive hard and etc.  Thanks in advance, baildaily

    To avoid confusion and duplication of effort, please post a follow-up later all replies to your thread of origin-online http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-windows_update/error-8000ffff-unable-to-fix-need-advise/597003cb-e5a7-4198-8ae6-36cafe876005

  • clean the hard drive before getting rid of pc (Windows XP)

    I'm upgrading to dispose of my old pc.

    I want to format the c drive to delete all data, etc. (if this is the way to do?)

    Would appeciate of help there

    Hello

    To be sure to remove all the data files, and then run a shredder on the free space. Then put it and if you want
    Re - install Windows or leave the field blank. (Data can be retrieved from just a format, although it is expensive).

    CCleaner has the ability to erase free space.

    CCleaner - free - download of Piriform or FileHippo (below the offer costs).

    CCleaner is our system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your
    system - allowing Windows to run faster and free up valuable disk space. It also cleans
    traces of your activities online such as your Internet history. In addition, it contains a fully featured
    registry cleaner. But the best part is that it's fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and
    contains NO Spyware or Adware! -Includes the reader - wiper (Tools - wiper Drive), which has different
    levels of wiping securiity of free space or the whole disc.
    http://www.Piriform.com/ccleaner/download

    Forums - help for CCleaner here
    http://Forum.Piriform.com/

    You can try this or similar utilities.

    Destructive PC is a software removal and data file shredder free, can permanently delete files,
    records and make it unrecoverable, completely destroy the files you specify, make it impossible
    for anyone to restore deleted information! Prevent your company data, important documents and
    personal information of remedial classes.

    PC Shredder is a Freeware. It's free for personal and commercial use. Destructive of documents PC works on
    Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista. There is none
    requirement of the minimum hardware requirements for PC Shredder runs correctly.
    http://www.pcshredder.com/

    Eraser - free - an advanced security tool for Windows that allows you to completely remove
    sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting many times with carefully selected
    bosses.
    http://eraser.Heidi.IE/

    Best utility of free secure erase
    http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-secure-erase-utility.htm

    There are other tools available from Freeware to commercial products - BING or Google.

    I hope this helps.

    Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP<- profile="" -="" windows="" expert="" -="" consumer="" :="" bicycle="" -="" mark="" twain="" said="" it="">

  • Cannot expand the hard drive of a virtual computer that is a linked clone.

    I have a virtual machine that is a linked another clone.

    I did a lot of development and changes to the linked clone, and now ran out of disk space.

    Now I want to extend the drive, but I get this error:

    "Disks of virtual machines that are linked clones cannot be extended.

    So I then try to extend the drive of the virtual machine that he was cloned from:

    "Disks of VMS with snapshots cannot be extended. You must delete the snapshots or use VMWare vcenter converter. »

    What can I do? If I remove the snapshots of the original machine, do not lose the 'link' to the linked clone? What he suggested that I use the "VMWare vcenter converter" for?

    Does anyone have a solution?

    Kind regards

    James

    Create a complete clone of the virtual machine in the current state. Which can be extended.

  • When you plug the hard drive, Windows Explorer says does not not and closes all applications

    When I connect my hard drive (which has more than 70 films) my watch windows Explorer does not and it closes all active applications. I can't open my disc... hard help me...

    * original title - when I connect my hard drive (which has more than 70 films) my show windows Explorer does not and it closes all active applications. I can't open my disc... help me hard... *.

    Hi Adnot

     

    Method 1:

    I suggest to connect the hard drive, then try to run the security analysis. You may need to disable all autorun feature, if you use the drive. Then, try to perform security analysis and check if you have any viruses or malware present.
    See the link below for the analysis and verification.

    http://www.Microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx

    Method 2:

    You can also perform a clean boot and check if you can open the hard disk properly. To perform the clean boot follow step 1 mentioned in the article below, and then try again check in the clean boot state -

    http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/929135

    If the problem is resolved check which service non-Microsoft is the source of the problem; referring to article and following the other steps.
    When you are finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start as usual:

    a. Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the start search box and press ENTER.
    If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click on continue.

    b. on the general tab, click the Normal startup option and then click OK.

    c. When you are prompted to restart the computer, click on restart.

    I hope this helps.

  • Any software to recover corrupted hard drive?

    Everyone knows any freeware recovery of good data to my external hard drive?

    Because he always wants me to format it before using my HDD is maybe damaged. I have never fallen or damaged. Simply use it as usual.

    Yes, there is a good data recovery freeware which could recover all my content back?

    Thanks for your help!

    Hi Murphy,

     

    Thanks for posting your question in the Microsoft Community.

     

    I suggest you to contact the manufacturer of external hard drive to recover data.

    You can also use your favorite search engine for any third party recovery software to recover data from your external hard drive.

    Warning: Using third-party software, including hardware drivers can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from starting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the use of third-party software can be solved. Software using third party is at your own risk.

    I hope that the information above helps you.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Question Pro backpack

    Simple question, I hope:Is the Pro waterproof backpack with water or simply showerproof? Thank you.

  • Password required specific App

    My wife tries to access his Messages in the settings menu. He now seeks an app - password required screen. Click 'create' and it will take you to the site Apple ID. After signing to send the code on his phone, where to enter this code? His iPhone and

  • Why is my iBook store showing only free books?

    Hello Recently, the books shown on my iBookStore are only those free. I'm used to be able to browse through the available books. What happened to the iBookStore?

  • Prevention of data Excution

    I have a problem when you try to repair Xp SP3. This problem occurs when my progress going to install DEVICES. green bar go to 1/2 it is stopped and not continue 1 hour or 30 minutes > not continue? . How can I slove my problem >?

  • Wireless print server has no WPA encryption

    I have a WPS54GU2 print server which works well on my network wireless for a couple of years.  However, I now have a new wireless router and was advised to use WPA instead of WEP encryption.  OK, so I'll change the encryption on the print server and