Step 4: Erase your hard drive. Once your data is backed up and you've signed out of everything that might connect your old Mac to your personal information, you can erase everything on it by reformatting the hard drive. Restart your Mac. While the startup disc is waking up, hold down the Command+R keys simultaneously. Your Mac will boot into.
Last updated on November 15th, 2019 at 02:57 pm
You are definitely on the right place if you are looking for best Hard Drive wipe software (free and paid). There is so many software available online and it becomes really tough to choose one that suits you. For this reason, we are here to provide you with complete and comprehensive detail of hard drive cleaning software.
- The best way to restore your Mac to factory settings is to erase your hard drive and reinstall macOS. After macOS installation is complete, the Mac restarts to a setup assistant that asks you to choose a country or region. To leave the Mac in an out-of-box state, don't continue setup. Instead, press Command-Q to shut down the Mac.
- Here, to completely destroying your all data on MacBook hard drive, just select the second wiping option.and click on 'Next' option. Before starting to wipe your MacBook pro, a window pops up asking you to choose a 'wiping method', it offers 4 wiping algorithm. 7 wipe and 35 wipe will take much time to erase your MacBook Pro.
Recommended: How to uninstall Windows 10 built-in apps?
It is always recommended to go for paid software when it comes for privacy and security of your data as there is much-advanced software available that recover wiped data. But if you have used some of the top nothch hard drive cleaning software then it becomes almost impossible to recover any traces.
There is also a query related to deleting data from a dead computer, for all those who have a similar question, please refer to How to wipe hard drive on a dead computer?
Why use hard drive cleaning software?
Most of the people now switching to cloud storage and the demand for hard drive reducing day by day, those days are gone when everything was stored in hard drive. So people now removing all their personal information, privacy data from the hard drive and keeping them in more secure places. To completely remove everything from hard drive, cleaning software is a must.
Or there might be the reason to sell your old hard drive and you are looking to remove everything permanently from it. For this reason, you need to have a hard drive wipe software.
Most people think that deletion of files, folders, removing password, and other information is enough but the reality is different, you can reconstruct everything you have deleted.
10 Best Hard Drive Wipe Software in 2020
1. MacPaw CleanMyDrive
MacPaw is one of the top recommendations for Mac products. It is well known for CleanMyMac and CleanMyPC. You can use them to speed up your computer. And on the other side, it also offers CleanMyDrive to wipe out everything from your Mac. It has an amazing platform that shows everything you have on your MacBook.
No matters how tiny the file is, it wipe out everything and left no traces. Let is check some of its features
- Clean Junk files: CleanMyDrive intelligently remove every junk for your drive which are hard to locate.
- Copy your drive: Suppose if you are looking to transfer your important data to another hard drive, simply drag and drop the files to copy instantly.
- Multiple language support: CleanMyDrive works with different languages so you need not worry about this.
- Compatible with all hard drives: CleanMyDrive works with SSD, external hard drives, SD cards, USB flash drives.
Pricing
CleanMyDrive is free to use and available in the Mac App Store, install it and start using it.
2. CCleaner Drive Wiper
CCleaner is another one of the top-rated software recommended to wipe out hard drive data. CCleaner is widely use for removing junk, hidden, temporary, duplicate files to remove unnecessary data from your computer. It also offers Drive Wiper to remove everything from your hard drive.
CCleaner Drive Wiper uses advanced algorithms to permanently delete everything. Once you download CCleaner, go to tools tab, Choose the type of wipe you require: Free Space Only or Entire Drive, it will warn you before proceeding.
You can either clean a specific partition of the entire drive as per your need. Complete wiping of the drive takes some time and you have to be on hold for a while.
Pricing and plans from CCleaner
CCleaner Drive Wiper is a part of CCleaner application and you can get if for free. CCleaner comes in the paid and free version, but for unlocking its feature, Pro version is the best choice. Our readers get a special discount on CCleaner, check out the latest pricing and discount offer here.
3. Eraser
Eraser is an advanced security tool specifically designed for Windows to remove sensitive data from your hard drive. It overwrites it several times with carefully selected patterns to ensure complete data removal. It also supports Windows file systems including FAT32 and NTFS. Along with your PC's hard drive, it also works with other drives that work with Windows PC.
It offers you a feature that let users schedule disk wiping as per there timings. User can set up a data destruction task to repeat itself.
Pricing
Eraser is a free and open-source software for hard drive data cleaner. Download it for free from the official website. Eraser update the software from time to time.
4. KillDisk
KillDisk is a paid software that has tons of feature along with just erasing hard drive. So far we concluded that KillDisk is one of the fastest cleaning software and the best thing is its ability to work in erasing disks parallel. KillDisk works for Windows and some of its version works for LINUX Operating System. It has the ability to start programming form the bootable disk or the USB to erase the disk.
KillDisk shows the current status of disk health and this is good for Disk Examination for bad sectors & Examine Grading.
KillDisk Features
- Supports 32-bit PC architecture
- Erasing disks in parallel
- Business usage
- Automatic Mode allows to discover & erase hot-swappable disks
- Disk Wipe sanitation of unused clusters on live volumes for most file systems
Pricing and Plans
KillDisk comes with different plans such as Active@ KillDisk, Industrial Software, Desktop / System. You can check out the latest pricing. You can also try the demo version for free to test KillDisk.
5. Disk Wipe
Disk Wipe is a free and portable Windows application for permanent data removal. It also uses advanced algorithms to destroy every trace of data such that recovery is almost impossible. The best thing is, it does not contain adware or malware. Let us check out some of its feature here
Disk Wipe Features
- Delete data permanently from volume disk
- No installation required to delete data
- Works with NTFS, Fat, Fat32 (all major File Systems)
- Lightweight, add free application
- Works with external hard drive
Pricing
As already discussed, Disk Wipe is completely free to use and you can download it from the official website.
6. DBAN
DBAN is widely used open–source data wiping software for personal use. You get the benefits of two with using DBAN. Firstly, you can delete every bit of information and secondly, it also removes viruses/spyware from Microsoft Windows installations. DBAN clearly claims that it does not provide any certificate of data removal from a drive and for this, you have request Blancco Drive Eraser Trial.
Pricing
There are two plans, first DBAN and secondly Blancco. DBAN is completely free to use and recommended for personal use. On the other side, Blancco is recommended for business purpose and you can use its trial version.
7. PCDiskEraser
PCDiskEraser is another free application that wipe out hard drive permanently in the for of partition or completely. It is fast in process, easy to use and one of the best tool in its category. You do not worry if you have erased your data through PCDiskEraser. It permanently deletes the information by actually overwriting all of the data on your hard drive.
PCDiskEraser Feature
- Runs Offline
- Supports File System NTFS, FAT16, FAT32, EXT3, EXT2, Linux swap, Reiser FS and so on.
- Easy to use and processes quickly
- Wipe in a partition and complete drive
Pricing
As already discussed, PCDiskEraser is completely free to use and you can download the latest version from the official website.
8. Super File Shredder
Super File Shredder keeps its place under top 10 best hard drive wipe software. The reason is its advanced security tool for Windows that removes all the data by overwriting it many times. All you need is to install this amazing application and remove all your sensitive data and stay with peace of mind.
Pricing
Super File Shredder is completely free to use and you can download it from here.
9. Windows Built in hard drive wiper
Most of us are not known about the in-built option for hard drive wipe tool. Windows offers this feature to completely erase the hard drive data. You do not require to download any external application once you use security tool from Windows 10.
Follow some simple steps to erase hard drive completely
- Open Settings> Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Reset this PC, go to Get Started button.
- From the following options, tap on Remove everything.
This completely remove your hard drive data and your computer works as it is new.
10. Disk Utility for macOS
Disk Utility is an option for macOS to remove data completely from hard drive. You can also check the storage consumption and delete them in partition also. Follow some simple steps here.
- Go to Spotlight search and type Disk Utility.
- Select your Drive and tap on Erase button.
This completely erase your drive on MacBook.
Conclusion
These are the list of Best Hard Drive Wipe Software. I hope you find the information here useful and definitely found the right choice as per your need. For the latest tech tutorial and software deals, follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
You may also like:
In Mac systems, unlike Windows, you don't delete but erase files. However, this file erasure in Mac is similar to file deletion in Windows.
In other words, when you erase a file in Mac, only the pointer location to the file is deleted from file system journal. How to update microsoft powerpoint on mac. However, the actual file and data remain on the Mac hard drive unless overwritten.
Thus, to permanently delete and secure erase data from a Mac hard drive, you need to overwrite it deliberately with the help of a secure data erasure standard such as DoD 5220.22-M, NATO, etc.
In Mac, you can do this via Disk Utility, Terminal Command, and by using a secure file erasure tool such as BitRaser for File Mac.
- Steps to Permanently Delete Mac Files with Disk Utility
IMPORTANT NOTE: With the first two methods—Disk Utility and Terminal Command—you can't permanently delete individual files from Mac hard drive. These two methods can help you wipe a Mac hard drive volume (other than the system volume) or physical external hard drive with DoD 5220.22-M standard.
Thus, if you want to permanently delete or secure erase individual or only a few selected files from Mac drives, skip to the last steps to permanently delete files on Mac with secure file erasure software.
On your Mac system,
- Click on Launchpad and open ‘Disk Utility' under Utilities
- Choose the hard drive volume that contains files that you want to remove
- Click on ‘Erase' button at the top
- Enter a volume ‘Name', choose a ‘Format,' and click ‘Security Options…'
- Move slider to ‘Most Secure' and click ‘OK.'
The ‘Most Secure' security option is slowest. It implements U.S. DOD 5220.22M (7-pass) secure data erasure standard to erase every bit of information from your Mac hard drive.
- Click ‘Erase'
If Disk Utility fails to wipe the disk, use diskutil Terminal Command discussed in the next method to secure-erase files from a Mac hard drive.
- Steps to Permanently Delete Files on macOS with Terminal Command
IMPORTANT NOTE:With secure-erase terminal command, you can't secure erase a particular hard drive volume. It securely wipes the entire disk. But you can use the Terminal to securely wipe empty storage space on a Mac hard drive volume.
- Go to Application> Utilities and open the Terminal app
CAUTION: Terminal is a powerful command-line tool in Mac. A minor typo in the command can lead to chaos and may turn your Mac machine into an expensive paperweight. Use it cautiously
- Type diskutil list
This command lists all the connected hard disks and volumes. Note down the disk number of Mac hard drive volume that you want to erase.
- Type diskutil secureErase 2 disk#
Replace # with the hard disk number. The command will erase the selected Mac hard drive with US DoD 5220.22M (7-pass) erasure standard
If you wish to wipe only free space on the Mac hard drive, enter the following command in Terminal window and press ‘Return' key,
diskutil secureErase freespace 2 disk#s#
Again, replace # values with the hard disk volume number
How To Completely Erase Your Hard Drive
- Steps to Permanently Delete Files on Mac with BitRaser for File
With BitRaser for File, a simple and secure file eraser software, you can permanently delete all your sensitive files beyond recovery. It is a certified secure file eraser and privacy-safeguarding tool for Mac and Windows.
How To Wipe Out A Mac
You can use the software to permanently delete specific or all files or folders from your Mac machine and supported storage drives. The software can erase files as per 17 international file erasure standards including DoD 5220.22-M, NATO, Gutmann, etc.
It also has two verification methods—Total and Random—that verify the data destruction simultaneously.
Thus, files and folders erased by using BitRaser for File can't be recovered through any data recovery software or services, including forensic tools.
To permanently delete files on Mac hard drive by using BitRaser for File, follow these simple steps:
- Install and launch ‘BitRaser for File' on your Mac
- Click on the gear icon at the top to choose ‘Settings'
- Choose a data erasure algorithm, verification method, and Certificate Path from the respective drop-down lists and click ‘OK.'
Toggle ON ‘Files & Folder' or ‘Search & Erase' and toggle OFF all other options
If you choose ‘Search & Erase' option, the software generates a tamper-proof and digitally signed certificate of erasure. This certificate and data erasure report can be used as a legit document to meet regulatory compliance and guarantees data destruction beyond the scope of recovery.
- Click ‘Next' and explore the Mac hard drive volumes that contain files you want to delete permanently
Pricing and Plans
KillDisk comes with different plans such as Active@ KillDisk, Industrial Software, Desktop / System. You can check out the latest pricing. You can also try the demo version for free to test KillDisk.
5. Disk Wipe
Disk Wipe is a free and portable Windows application for permanent data removal. It also uses advanced algorithms to destroy every trace of data such that recovery is almost impossible. The best thing is, it does not contain adware or malware. Let us check out some of its feature here
Disk Wipe Features
- Delete data permanently from volume disk
- No installation required to delete data
- Works with NTFS, Fat, Fat32 (all major File Systems)
- Lightweight, add free application
- Works with external hard drive
Pricing
As already discussed, Disk Wipe is completely free to use and you can download it from the official website.
6. DBAN
DBAN is widely used open–source data wiping software for personal use. You get the benefits of two with using DBAN. Firstly, you can delete every bit of information and secondly, it also removes viruses/spyware from Microsoft Windows installations. DBAN clearly claims that it does not provide any certificate of data removal from a drive and for this, you have request Blancco Drive Eraser Trial.
Pricing
There are two plans, first DBAN and secondly Blancco. DBAN is completely free to use and recommended for personal use. On the other side, Blancco is recommended for business purpose and you can use its trial version.
7. PCDiskEraser
PCDiskEraser is another free application that wipe out hard drive permanently in the for of partition or completely. It is fast in process, easy to use and one of the best tool in its category. You do not worry if you have erased your data through PCDiskEraser. It permanently deletes the information by actually overwriting all of the data on your hard drive.
PCDiskEraser Feature
- Runs Offline
- Supports File System NTFS, FAT16, FAT32, EXT3, EXT2, Linux swap, Reiser FS and so on.
- Easy to use and processes quickly
- Wipe in a partition and complete drive
Pricing
As already discussed, PCDiskEraser is completely free to use and you can download the latest version from the official website.
8. Super File Shredder
Super File Shredder keeps its place under top 10 best hard drive wipe software. The reason is its advanced security tool for Windows that removes all the data by overwriting it many times. All you need is to install this amazing application and remove all your sensitive data and stay with peace of mind.
Pricing
Super File Shredder is completely free to use and you can download it from here.
9. Windows Built in hard drive wiper
Most of us are not known about the in-built option for hard drive wipe tool. Windows offers this feature to completely erase the hard drive data. You do not require to download any external application once you use security tool from Windows 10.
Follow some simple steps to erase hard drive completely
- Open Settings> Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Reset this PC, go to Get Started button.
- From the following options, tap on Remove everything.
This completely remove your hard drive data and your computer works as it is new.
10. Disk Utility for macOS
Disk Utility is an option for macOS to remove data completely from hard drive. You can also check the storage consumption and delete them in partition also. Follow some simple steps here.
- Go to Spotlight search and type Disk Utility.
- Select your Drive and tap on Erase button.
This completely erase your drive on MacBook.
Conclusion
These are the list of Best Hard Drive Wipe Software. I hope you find the information here useful and definitely found the right choice as per your need. For the latest tech tutorial and software deals, follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
You may also like:
In Mac systems, unlike Windows, you don't delete but erase files. However, this file erasure in Mac is similar to file deletion in Windows.
In other words, when you erase a file in Mac, only the pointer location to the file is deleted from file system journal. How to update microsoft powerpoint on mac. However, the actual file and data remain on the Mac hard drive unless overwritten.
Thus, to permanently delete and secure erase data from a Mac hard drive, you need to overwrite it deliberately with the help of a secure data erasure standard such as DoD 5220.22-M, NATO, etc.
In Mac, you can do this via Disk Utility, Terminal Command, and by using a secure file erasure tool such as BitRaser for File Mac.
- Steps to Permanently Delete Mac Files with Disk Utility
IMPORTANT NOTE: With the first two methods—Disk Utility and Terminal Command—you can't permanently delete individual files from Mac hard drive. These two methods can help you wipe a Mac hard drive volume (other than the system volume) or physical external hard drive with DoD 5220.22-M standard.
Thus, if you want to permanently delete or secure erase individual or only a few selected files from Mac drives, skip to the last steps to permanently delete files on Mac with secure file erasure software.
On your Mac system,
- Click on Launchpad and open ‘Disk Utility' under Utilities
- Choose the hard drive volume that contains files that you want to remove
- Click on ‘Erase' button at the top
- Enter a volume ‘Name', choose a ‘Format,' and click ‘Security Options…'
- Move slider to ‘Most Secure' and click ‘OK.'
The ‘Most Secure' security option is slowest. It implements U.S. DOD 5220.22M (7-pass) secure data erasure standard to erase every bit of information from your Mac hard drive.
- Click ‘Erase'
If Disk Utility fails to wipe the disk, use diskutil Terminal Command discussed in the next method to secure-erase files from a Mac hard drive.
- Steps to Permanently Delete Files on macOS with Terminal Command
IMPORTANT NOTE:With secure-erase terminal command, you can't secure erase a particular hard drive volume. It securely wipes the entire disk. But you can use the Terminal to securely wipe empty storage space on a Mac hard drive volume.
- Go to Application> Utilities and open the Terminal app
CAUTION: Terminal is a powerful command-line tool in Mac. A minor typo in the command can lead to chaos and may turn your Mac machine into an expensive paperweight. Use it cautiously
- Type diskutil list
This command lists all the connected hard disks and volumes. Note down the disk number of Mac hard drive volume that you want to erase.
- Type diskutil secureErase 2 disk#
Replace # with the hard disk number. The command will erase the selected Mac hard drive with US DoD 5220.22M (7-pass) erasure standard
If you wish to wipe only free space on the Mac hard drive, enter the following command in Terminal window and press ‘Return' key,
diskutil secureErase freespace 2 disk#s#
Again, replace # values with the hard disk volume number
How To Completely Erase Your Hard Drive
- Steps to Permanently Delete Files on Mac with BitRaser for File
With BitRaser for File, a simple and secure file eraser software, you can permanently delete all your sensitive files beyond recovery. It is a certified secure file eraser and privacy-safeguarding tool for Mac and Windows.
How To Wipe Out A Mac
You can use the software to permanently delete specific or all files or folders from your Mac machine and supported storage drives. The software can erase files as per 17 international file erasure standards including DoD 5220.22-M, NATO, Gutmann, etc.
It also has two verification methods—Total and Random—that verify the data destruction simultaneously.
Thus, files and folders erased by using BitRaser for File can't be recovered through any data recovery software or services, including forensic tools.
To permanently delete files on Mac hard drive by using BitRaser for File, follow these simple steps:
- Install and launch ‘BitRaser for File' on your Mac
- Click on the gear icon at the top to choose ‘Settings'
- Choose a data erasure algorithm, verification method, and Certificate Path from the respective drop-down lists and click ‘OK.'
Toggle ON ‘Files & Folder' or ‘Search & Erase' and toggle OFF all other options
If you choose ‘Search & Erase' option, the software generates a tamper-proof and digitally signed certificate of erasure. This certificate and data erasure report can be used as a legit document to meet regulatory compliance and guarantees data destruction beyond the scope of recovery.
- Click ‘Next' and explore the Mac hard drive volumes that contain files you want to delete permanently
- Select the files and click ‘Erase'
- Confirm the erasure task and restart your Mac machine when it's finished
With BitRaser for File, you can also remove other sensitive data such as Internet Activities data, system traces, and application traces stored on your Mac system and hard drives.
This sensitive data usually contains confidential information such as card details, chat messages, browsing history, saved passwords and auto-fill form info, etc.
Conclusion
If you want to permanently remove a confidential file, never erase it, always secure-erase with the help of a secure file erasure tool.
You could use macOS' proprietary tools such as Disk Utility and Terminal to secure-wipe your Mac hard drive. It is critical to do so when you need to sell, donate, or dispose of your Mac hard drive. But neither Disk Utility nor Terminal allows you to secure-erase individual or bunch of selected files from Mac hard drive.
In such a case, you can use a secure file eraser such as BitRaser for File. It lets you choose and destroy individual files and automate event-based file erasure tasks. Plus, you can use any of the 17 supported international data erasure standards to remove your sensitive data beyond the scope of recovery.
To learn more about BitRaser for file – Mac edition, click here.
