How to Sanitize a Hard Drive? Use the Best Way to Erase Hard Drive!

What is hard drive sanitization?

A data sanitization method is a specific technique used by data destruction programs or file shredders to overwrite information stored on a hard drive or other storage devices. Most of these programs offer multiple sanitization methods, allowing users to choose the one that best suits their needs.

These methods are often referred to as data erasure methods, data wipe techniques, wipe algorithms, or data wipe standards. When you encounter these terms, they typically refer to the same concept of data sanitization, as explained here. While the term "data sanitization" can also include other non-software-based methods of data destruction, it most commonly describes software-based techniques for erasing data.

Below, you'll find a list of popular data sanitization methods, details about how they work. After reading, you can learn how to sanitize a hard drive effectively without hurting your hard drive.

How to sanitize a hard drive?

How to clean off a hard drive? Is there an easier solution? Absolutely! AOMEI Partition Assistant is here to simplify the process. With this tool, you can delete all partitions and wipe every sector on the disk in a single operation—no need to repeat steps for each partition. Simply select the “Fill sectors with Zero” option, and the software will securely and efficiently wipe the disk. It’s compatible with all Windows PC operating systems, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7. Follow the steps below to safely write zeros to your hard drive using AOMEI Partition Assistant. You can free download this software on your Windows computers to sanitize a hard drive.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant,  click the "Wipe" main tab and select "Wipe Hard Disk" option. (You can also right-click the Disk you want to wipe and select the "Wipe Hard Drive" option.)

Step 2. Select the disk you want to wipe and click "OK" to continue.

In this stage, you can also select a wiping method to wipe the selected hard drive according to your requirements and click "OK". (By default, the wiping method is Fill in 0.)

Notes:

• Fill in 0: Overwrite all sectors with zeros. It is common to wipe a personal hard drive. It is safe and fast.
• Fill in random information: It overwrites the hard drive with random data. It is more secure than the first one.
• DoD 5220.22-M: It will overwrite addressable locations on the hard disk with binary 0's, binary 1's, and a random bit pattern from once to seven times. The more times you choose to overwrite, the longer the process will take. Three times to five times are recommended. It is more secure than "zero-filling" and "random data filling" and faster than the Guttman. Thus it is often adopted by companies and organizations.
• Gutmann: It overwrites a hard drive with 35 passes. It is the safest way here, but it also takes the longest time.

Step 3. You can preview the shrink operation by viewing the "Pending Operations". To commit the "Pending Operations", please click "Apply" and "Proceed".

Other methods to wipe a hard drive

Using AOMEI Partition Assistant is the best way to erase hard drive. Besides this, you can also use other 2 methods to clean a hard drive. However, these methods can be a little bit complex.

Option 1. 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.

Option 2. 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.

To sum up

In conclusion, this passage shares how to sanitize a hard drive. Sanitizing a hard drive is important to securely erase data and stop others from recovering it. There are different ways to do this, but AOMEI Partition Assistant makes it easy and safe, even for beginners. You can also reset your PC or reinstall Windows to wipe your drive, but these methods might take more time and effort. No matter which option you choose, make sure to back up any important files before you start.