Click the Options button to pick a wipe method. Once you’ve installed the program, just right-click an unwanted file or folder and select Erase. If you decide to delete select folders and files, go with the free, open source Eraser. So unless you have reason to fear the FBI, you can probably skip the massively slow and secure Gutmann method. A one-pass wipe is also faster (we’re talking hours instead of days) and in some cases, cheaper.
#HOW TO WIPE A COMPUTER WINDOWS VISTA SOFTWARE#
But a simple, one-pass wipe will render your data inaccessible to any software that an identity thief is likely to have. It isnt possible to format C: because that is where the operating system is installed. To initiate the recovery partition, hold down the command and R keys as the computer restarts and open Disk Utility. This will open a window showing all the computers partitions. When that opens up, click Storage Disk Management. First click Start, then Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management. Now then, about paranoia: Most of these programs offer several wiping methods, some of them elaborate routines that write over your drive 35 files to make sure nothing can be restored. Formatting the hard drive on Windows Vista is easy. Even wiping the C: partition and leaving the recovery partition alone might render recovery impossible. But if your PC can reinstall Windows without a special CD or DVD, wiping the entire drive will effectively destroy the Windows license that came with it. Try it in Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista to protect your data from leaking while selling or giving away your PC or recycling a computer between employees at the same company.
#HOW TO WIPE A COMPUTER WINDOWS VISTA HOW TO#
If your PC came with a recovery disc, and you haven’t lost it, that’s not a big problem–you can wipe the drive, then reinstall Windows. Here you can learn how to wipe a hard drive without deleting Windows. A Windows computer is supposed to go to new owners with the operating system intact. Click Confirm, then Next, and finally click Reset to start the process. But wiping the entire drive has its own problems. Click Change Settings and turn on the switch next to Wipe the drive.