| Tool | Type | Security | |------|------|----------| | | Paid | ATA Secure Erase / NVMe sanitize | | DBAN (HDD only) | Free | Multiple-pass overwrite | | HDD LLF Low-Level Format | Free trial | Zero-fill | | Samsung Magician | Free (Samsung SSDs) | Secure Erase | | Kingston SSD Manager | Free | Secure Erase |
(Overwrites free space)
diskpart list disk select disk X clean
(Writes zeros to every sector — HDD only, not recommended for SSD due to wear.) windows wipe disk
To "wipe" a disk on Windows, you have two primary paths depending on whether you want to clear a secondary drive (like a USB or extra hard drive) or the main drive that currently runs Windows. 1. Wipe a Secondary Drive (Diskpart) | Tool | Type | Security | |------|------|----------|
Use the manufacturer's secure erase tool (found on Samsung, Crucial, or WD websites) or simply use the Windows "Trim" function (which happens automatically) and a standard quick format. For selling an SSD, performing a standard "Reset This PC" (Method 1) is generally considered sufficient and safe for the hardware. For selling an SSD, performing a standard "Reset