How to Completely Wipe a PC in Windows 11/10

Why need to completely wipe a PC?

Protecting personal data is the key reason for wiping a computer. Deleting files is insufficient when selling, donating, or recycling a device since specialist software can restore the wiped data. A thorough wipe assures that the information is nearly hard to retrieve.

Another important reason is to eradicate malware and infections. When a system is contaminated, wiping the hard drive can be significantly more efficient and effective than locating and eliminating each corrupted file. Restoring a computer to its factory settings can also improve performance, especially if it has slowed down over time.

Whether you're disposing of an old device or upgrading your current one, it's critical to utilize reputable software for a comprehensive data wipe. Trusted hard disk maintenance tools are normally accessible from their manufacturers or respected third-party vendors. Choosing a trusted solution protects you from data breaches, identity theft, financial loss, and reputation harm.

How to completely wipe a PC on Windows 11 or 10

1. Back up important data: Before wiping your PC, save all critical files to an external location. This ensures you don’t lose anything valuable.

2. Sign out of accounts and deactivate licenses: Deactivate software and services tied to your PC to free up activations for future use. Remember to sign out from your account and unlink the device from subscription-based software.

Method 1. Wipe all hard drive

To wipe a PC thoroughly, you can try wiping the hard drive on Windows 11/10. Here are two methods you can use to clean all data from your hard drive. Both methods effectively erase all data from your hard drive. Choose the one that best fits your skill level and requirements.

1. Clean all data via DiskPart

DiskPart is a command-line tool that allows you to manage disks, partitions, and volumes. Follow these steps carefully to erase all data using DiskPart:

Step 1. Press "Windows"  and type "cmd". Then click "Run as Administrator".

Step 2. Input "diskpart" in the ejected window and hit "Enter".

Step 3. Input and run the following commands and press "Enter":

list disk (list all disks on your computer.)

select disk 2 (Select the disk you want to wipe completely. )

clean all (Delete all data from the selected disk.)

2. Format all hard drives with Disk Management

Disk Management is a user-friendly graphical tool that is included in Windows and helps you manage disks and volumes easily.

Step 1. Press "Windows+X", and then choose "Disk Management" in the popped window.

Step 2. Right-click the target hard drive and click "Format".

Step 3. If you want to wipe the partition deeply, don't select "Perform a quick format" and click "OK".

Step 4. Close the Disk Management after you finish wiping this hard drive.

Method 2. Reset the PC

Resetting your computer is another way to wipe the PC completely. After factory resetting the Windows 11/10, your PC will look brand new.

>> On Windows 10

Step 1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings window. Alternatively, click the Start Menu and select Settings (gear icon).

Step 2. In Settings, go to Update & Security. Select Recovery from the left-hand menu.

Step 3. Under the Reset this PC section, click the Get Started button.

Step 4. Select a Reset Option.

Keep my files: Removes apps and settings but retains personal files.

Remove everything: Deletes all personal files, apps, and settings.

Step 5. Review the changes that will occur and confirm your choice. The PC will restart and begin the reset process.

This can take some time. Once done, your PC will restart with a fresh Windows installation.

>> On Windows 11

Step 1. Press Windows + I to open Settings directly. Alternatively, click the Start Menu and select Settings.

Step 2. Navigate to System in the left panel. Scroll down and click Recovery.

Step 3. Under the Recovery options, locate Reset this PC and click Reset PC.

Step 4. Choose Keep my files: Retains your personal files while removing apps and settings. Or select Remove everything: Deletes all personal files, apps, and settings.

Step 5. Now, decide on the method for reinstalling the system 

Cloud download: Downloads a fresh copy of Windows from the cloud.

Local reinstall: Reinstall Windows using files already on your PC.

Step 6. Make your selection between "Just remove your files" or "Fully clean the drive".

Step 7. Confirm your selection and follow the prompts to begin resetting.

Allow the reset to finish. Once done, your PC will reboot with Windows reinstalled.

Method 3. Reinstall the Windows system

Besides, you can reinstall Windows 11 or 10 to completely wipe the PC. Everything will be erased during the reinstallation.

Step 1. Insert the Windows 11/10 installation USB into your computer and restart it. When entering the BIOS/UEFI interface, set the USB as the first in the boot sequence list.

Step 2. Restart the computer again and boot from the USB.

Step 3. Then you will see the Windows Setup interface. Select the right parameters and click "Next".

Step 4. Click the "Install now" button.

Step 5. Then, you will be asked to enter your product key. If not, please click "I don't have a product key" to skip it.

Step 6. In the new window, select "Custom: Install Windows only(advanced)".

Step 7. When you are asked "Where do you want to install Windows?", you will find there is only unallocated space for you to choose because you have wiped the disk. Click "Next" and Windows will generate a system reserved partition (on MBR disk) or recovery partition (on GPT disk) and C: drive.

Step 8. Finish other necessary settings and you will complete the installation.

How to completely wipe computer including OS

Completely wiping a PC also includes clearing the system. However, neither DiskPart nor Disk Management allows you to wipe the system hard drive. Thus, if you want to comprehensively wipe the PC with Windows builtin features, you must reset or reinstall the system. Luckily, AOMEI Partition Assistant is a powerful tool that makes this process straightforward and secure.

It is a versatile disk management software known for its user-friendly interface and powerful features. To completely wipe the PC, you can use AOMEI Partition Assistant to create a bootable media first and then boot from it. The system partition containing OS would be regraded as a data drive in such circumstances so it can be wiped easily.

The following content will show you the detailed steps:

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Click the "Tools" main tab and select "Make Bootable Media". Follow the instructions to finish the creation. 

Step 2. Boot your PC from the bootable USB, and you will be brought to the interface of AOMEI Partition Assistant. Right-click the target hard drive, then select "Wipe Hard Drive".

Step 3. Select "Fill sectors with Zero" and click "OK".

Features of other 3 methods:
✍ Fill sectors with random data: wipe the partition and overwrite existing contents with random data.
✍DoD 5220.22-M: Overwrite all addressable locations with binary zeroes firstly; secondly with binary ones; thirdly with a random bit pattern. ✍ Gutmann: Overwrite the partition with a random character for the first 4 and the last 4 passes and overwrite from pass 5 through pass 31 with a complex pattern.

Step 4. Click "Apply" in the interface to wipe this hard drive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, protecting personal data, eliminating malware, and improving system performance are compelling reasons to wipe a computer. Whether you're selling, donating, or upgrading a device, taking the right steps ensures your data remains safe while preparing your system for its next purpose.

While Windows' built-in features are effective, tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant provide advanced options for wiping the system drive and other partitions comprehensively, ensuring no trace of sensitive information remains. Always remember to back up your important files and deactivate licenses before wiping your PC to avoid unnecessary losses.