How to Erase Hard Drive

You might think that your files are gone for good when you delete them and move them to the trash. Well, that’s not true. In fact, these files are just moved to different places on the hard drive. So, if you want to know how to Erase Hard Drive, you need to know that you have to delete all the data from the files that were on it before. Your computer’s hard drive may hold financial documents, personal data, and anything else that used to live on your computer.

People who want to get rid of all traces of old files are usually getting ready to sell a computer, getting rid of damaged drives, upgrading, or just starting over. When selling, trading, or recycling your device, it’s important to erase all data from the hard drive so that whoever gets it can’t leak or steal any personal information. Read on to learn how to wipe a hard drive to protect yourself from malware, identity theft, and other risks.

Steps to Erase Windows Hard Drive

1. Click on the Start button. This is the button located in the bottom left corner of your screen with the Windows logo. 
2. Go to Settings. 
3. In the Settings panel, go to Update and Security. 
4. Then select Recovery from the left sidebar. 
5. Next, select Get Started under Reset this PC. 
6. Select Remove Everything from the pop-up. If you choose this option, your hard drive will be cleaned of all files, programs, and settings. 
7. Then select “Just remove my files” to verify the command. 
8. Finally, select Reset. This will begin the process of wiping your hard drive. When this process is completed, you will be able to log into your Windows computer as a new user. 

How to Erase Mac Hard Drive

1. Click the Apple () symbol in the top left corner of your Mac’s screen and select Restart….
2. Click Restart.
3. Hold down the Command and R keys as soon as you hear the Mac tone indicating a reboot.
4. Wait for the macOS Utilities screen to appear, then click Disk Utility.
5. Choose your Mac’s system drive, usually named Macintosh HD, then click Erase.
6. Select the Format option Mac Extended (Journaled) or APFS.
7. Click Erase, confirm the action if prompted, and wait until formatting is complete.
8. Next, close Disk Utility and click Reinstall macOS.
9. Follow the installation prompts and allow the procedure to continue until you see the Setup Assistant appear.
10. Press the keys Command+Q to shut down your Mac.

FAQ

How do you wipe a computer clean to sell it?

For Windows 10, click Settings on the Start menu. Then go to Updates and Security and look for the Recovery menu. Then, choose Reset this PC and then Get Started. Follow the steps to get your computer back to the way it was when you first took it out of the box.

How do I destroy a hard drive before recycling my computer?

The best way to get rid of a hard drive is to tear it up. When you shred a hard drive, it gets broken up into a million tiny pieces that can’t be put back together. This destroys and erases the data for good.