How do I delete my hard drive and make the files unrecoverable?

Question

If I was to restore my computer to "factory Status" would that make all the fiels on my computer that where deleted unrecoverable?

Answer 1

The police would be able to recover data no matter what you did to your hd. The only way to ensure that it is unrecoverable is to drop it in acid



however, not everyone has the tools that the police do so here's what i would do. continuously copy files so that your hd is full then delete some files and copy them again. then format your hd and restore it to factory default



its sounds a bit extreme but if you really want to ensure that data is unrecoverable give it a go

Answer 2

The only way to make files on a hard drive unrecoverable is to bash it with a hammer or take a magnet to it.

Answer 3

Whether you’re trying to destroy or erase data from your hard drives when the FBI knocks on your door, or just want to securely, and permanently do emergency data destruction to protect yourself from identity theft, before you sell or recycle your computer, there’s an easy solution.



The free open-source boot disk utility, called Darik’s Boot and Nuke (DBAN), automatically and completely deletes the content of every hard disk it can find on, or connected to, your computer when you run it.



The bootable DBAN can run from CDs, DVDs, thumb drives, and floppy disks.



1. Boot from the DBAN floppy or CD image.

2. Enter ‘autonuke’ at the boot prompt.



Darik’s Boot and Nuke website is here.



Click here to download the exe to write the image to a floppy disk.



Click here if you don’t have a floppy disk, and would like to create a DBAN CD image instead.



Keep the disk in a safe place. If it falls into the wrong hands your system could be toast, or just a big toaster.

Answer 4

DO NOT DELETE THE HAL.DLL FILE



THAT TOOLBAG GEORGE IS TRYING TO TRICK YOU



DELETING HAL.DLL WILL PREVENT WINDOWS FROM BOOTING!!



This guy is intentionally misleading people into deleting a crucial system file which could seriously damage their computers!



Click on his name - he has put the exact same nonsense all over the place.



To answer your question, try a program like window washer. people here are right, no file is ever truly blanked, but for the most part, the bleach\shred option in window washer will rendor a file clean. i assume you are trying to sell\give it away - if so, then window washer is ideal

good luck!

Answer 5

Do NOT follow the instructions from George L. This will trash your machine. He is posting illegal instructions, which can get him up to 30 years in prison. So anyone seeing this answer anywhere should report him before he catches an unsuspecting member. It will NOT clear the drive.

Answer 6

You need a program that strips the 'free space' on your hard drive. Windows Washer contains is one. If you look around you can find others.