If you are getting rid of an old computer, selling or donating your old hard drive or just making a clean start for your hard drive again; it's important to wipe it clean and delete all your personal data so that it can not be recovered again by another user. Doesn't matter you have deleted all your personal files but still your data is there and is not gone forever as you might think. This collection of 5 free software will wipe all sensitive (and other) data from the hard disk and make it impossible to be recovered again. Use any one of these for the purpose. Caution: Some of these software will erase hard disk all data completely which will be unrecoverable from hard drive.
1- Eraser
Eraser is an advanced security tool for Windows that allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns. The patterns used for overwriting are based on Peter Gutmann's paper Secure Deletion of Data from Magnetic and Solid-State Memory and are selected to effectively remove magnetic remnants from the hard drive.
Download Eraser
2- Darik's Boot And Nuke (DBAN)
Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN") is a self-contained boot disk that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction. DBAN is a means of ensuring due diligence in computer recycling, a way of preventing identity theft if you want to sell a computer, and a good way to totally clean a Microsoft Windows installation of viruses and spyware. DBAN prevents or thoroughly hinders all known techniques of hard disk forensic analysis.
Download DBAN
3- File Shredder
File Shredder is free desktop application to securely shred files and folders on computer. Files deleted with File Shredder can not be retrieved back. File Shredder supports multiple shredding algorithms up to 7 passes, US government compliant DoD 5220-22.M, Guttman method, shell integration on right click in Windows, Disk Wiper to shred unused free space. If you're looking for a reliable utility for utterly erasing files from your hard drive, you'll be pleased with File Shredder's performance. This free tool's attractive interface is designed for ease of use, and even novices will comprehend its functions right off the bat. A list of simple commands (such as Add File[s] and Add Folder[s]) let you browse and choose the items you wish to remove; selected items are listed in the large pane that makes up the bulk of the interface.
Download File Shredder
4- CCleaner
CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. New version has improved performance for Google Chrome v2 and IE8 cookies.
Download CCleaner
5- Zilla Data Nuker
Shreds sensitive files so they cannot be recovered or undeleted. Includes disk free space shredder--destroy previously deleted files on your hard drive. Shred Files, Folders, Recycle bin, drag & shred, DoD conform. Delete even if the file is locked! No trails are left of any compromising or confidential information. Nobody will ever be able to recover the files! Also includes a scheduler & integrates with Windows explorer for right click shred. This powerful program helps you shred important files & folders so that they cannot be restored & prevent attempts to recover sensitive deleted files from your hard drive by data recovery or forensic software.
paper shredder Says:
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