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**cromeo68** · (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015, 09:09 PM by Britec.)

How is the best way to wipe a hard drive before I do a clean install, I may have to do it with an external program, VIA USB, is it possible and what software would be the best way to completely clean the HDD? Can I reformat the HDD while doing it, I am thinking that reformatting would be the best because it has had so many bogus OS's installed I don't want traces of them on it, there are no files or folders to save or backup, so losing things is not a concern. TY if you can help.................

**Compton** · (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015, 09:10 PM by Britec.)

just load a windows DVD or USB
select every partition on the hard drive
select format

**GuiltySpark** · (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015, 09:10 PM by Britec.)

I always prefer DBAN nothing like a secure erase, takes a while but at least you know data stealing is unlikely.

**Compton** · (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015, 09:10 PM by Britec.)

yes Dban great is but for what you are doing with the hard drive it would be over kill

**GuiltySpark** · (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015, 09:10 PM by Britec.)

(07-08-2015, 08:51 PM)Compton Wrote: yes Dban great is but for what you are doing with the hard drive it would be over kill

He did ask to Completely Clean the HDD.

**Compton** · (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015, 09:20 PM by Compton.)

yes he did ask to completely clean HDD

but I am looking at what he's going to do with the hard drive

but you are right if he wants to completely format the hard drive Dban would be best

you also have to look at how old is the Hard drive and the health status before using Dban

***Britec*** · (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015, 09:22 PM by Britec.)

I would say if you are going to be using the drive again for yourself, I would just wipe the drive.
If you are selling the computer, keep the drive and use it as a external drive and buy a small drive so you can sell it with the computer, it will save time and your have peace of mind.
Getting rid of the computer and taking to the dump. Remove drive and destroy it.

But here are some other software you can use.

Eraser

Active@ KillDisk

Disk Wipe

Shredit for Windows

**cromeo68** · 07-09-2015, 12:08 PM

Actually DBAN seems to be a bit more thorough after reading on all of the above, but will I have to reformat? and can I reformat? ie will it give me the option when I go to reinstall Windows? as I will try and use this HDD again, in fact will I have to reformat with all of these? I would really like to repartition as well, as I said I want to try and use this HDD and laptop again............

**Ankh Warrior** · 07-09-2015, 12:20 PM

Ashampoo File Wiper is also good for cleaning free space.

**GuiltySpark** · 07-09-2015, 01:23 PM

With all of them you will have to format the drive as secure erasure of a drive reverts all blocks back to 0 and yes you will be able to format / reformat the drive.