How to securely erase an SSD or HDD for free

When preparing storage devices for new users, you might need to securely erase an SSD or HDD to protect your private data. But what is secure erasure, and how can you do it? Our tool has all the information you need to know.

How to Safely Delete SSD – 3 Methods

Method 1: Safely Erase SSD with a Professional Disk Wipe Tool

Make sure you have backed up all necessary files on the drive. To create a full backup of a disk, you can use a free backup software. After this process, all data will be lost permanently. To securely erase an SSD or HDD using a free SSD eraser tool:

We have two options for clearing your data. Please choose the one you need.

Option 1: Erase the partition

• Right-click the partition you want to wipe and select "Erase."
• In the new window, set the format for the erased partition, then click "OK."
• Click "Perform 1 Operation" in the bottom-right corner to review your changes, then click "Apply."

Option 2: Erase Disk

Select HDD/SSD, then right-click and choose "Erase Disk." Set the number of times you want the data to be erased. (You can set it up to 10 times.) Then click "OK." Click "Perform 1 Task" and then click "Apply."

Clearing an SSD or HDD can take some time, depending on its size, and will usually take longer than simply deleting files because of the overwriting process. If you have a large hard drive to clear, be patient and let the process finish.

AOMEI Partition Assistant is a powerful disk management utility. After installing this free software, you can:

• Resize partitions to allocate disk space as needed
• Combine partitions to expand storage space
• Create/Format/Delete partitions to prepare for reuse of space
• Convert between primary and logical partitions, MBR and GPT, or from FAT to NTFS

After the upgrade to Professional edition, you will have access to more useful features, such as OS Migration to SSD/HDD, Partition Recovery, and Bootable Disk Creation.

Method 2: Wipe the SSD via the Motherboard

The process of securely erasing an SSD through the motherboard typically involves executing a Secure Erase operation using software or tools provided by the SSD manufacturer. Here are general steps to securely erase your SSD via the motherboard: 1. **Prepare the Tools**: First, ensure you have the software or tool provided by the SSD manufacturer, which can usually be found on their official website. 2. **Shut Down and Disconnect**: Turn off your computer, unplug the power cord, and disconnect all unnecessary hardware, including HDDs, USB devices, etc. Keep the SSD connected to the motherboard. 3. **Enter BIOS/UEFI**: Restart your computer and press the designated key (usually F2, F10, Delete, or Esc) during the boot process to enter BIOS or UEFI settings. 4. **Check for Firmware Updates**: In BIOS/UEFI, look for firmware updates. If available, update them first to ensure optimal compatibility and security. 5. **Find the Secure Erase Option**: Within BIOS/UEFI settings, search for options related to "Secure Erase," "Initialization," or "Hard Drive Tools." This might be located under the "Advanced," "Storage," or "Security" menus. 6. **Execute Secure Erase**: Select the Secure Erase option and follow on-screen instructions. Note that this step may require confirmation, as Secure Erase will permanently delete all data, which cannot be recovered. 7. **Wait for Completion**: Once the Secure Erase process begins, do not interrupt or turn off your computer. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the SSD's capacity and speed. 8. **Exit and Reboot**: After the erasure is complete, save changes and exit BIOS/UEFI. Your computer will automatically restart. Now, your SSD has been securely erased. 9. **Format and Reinstall System**: Reconnect other devices, then format the SSD, and finally reinstall your operating system and applications. Please note that not all motherboards support performing a Secure Erase directly within BIOS/UEFI. If this method isn't feasible, you may need to use the manufacturer's dedicated tool in an operating system environment.

Step 1. Make sure the SSD is connected to the motherboard and recognized by your system.

Step 2. Download the software or tool from your SSD manufacturer that supports secure erase. Popular tools include Samsung Magician for Samsung SSDs and Crucial Storage Executive for Crucial SSDs.

Step 3: Run the software and look for the "Secure Erase" or "Secure Erase Wizard" option.

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the secure wipe process. This will safely remove all data from the SSD by resetting it to its factory settings.

5. After the secure erase is complete, you can reinstall the operating system or perform a clean install with your SSD.

It's worth noting that the process for performing a secure erase through the motherboard might vary depending on the manufacturer and model of your SSD. Consult your manufacturer's guidelines and recommendations for how to execute a Secure Erase on your specific SSD.

Method 3: Safely Wipe Your SSD with the Manufacturer's Tool

Here are some utilities from manufacturers:

• SeaTools for Seagate Drives
• Sabrent Control Panel
• Kingston SSD Manager
• Crucial Storage Executive
• Western Digital Dashboard
• Samsung SSD Magician
Translation:
• SeaTools for Seagate Drives
• Sabrent Control Panel
• Kingston SSD Manager
• Crucial Storage Executive

Before proceeding with the wipe, make sure to back up any important data on the SSD, as all data on the SSD will be permanently erased.

Step 1: First, download the tool for securely erasing an SSD from the manufacturer's website.

Step 2. Install the tool on your computer and open it.

Step 3: Select the SSD you want to erase from the list of connected drives.

Step 4. Follow the tool's instructions to securely wipe the SSD. This might involve choosing an erasure method (such as Quick Erase, Total Erase, or Secure Erase), then confirming that you want to proceed with the wipe.

How to Wipe an HDD Safely

Unlike some methods that require a bootable USB drive, the Partition Master tool can erase your computer's hard drive right within the Windows environment.

The only difference is that the free tools overwrite the data with random numbers, rather than binary 1s or 0s. Either way, the result is the same: your HDD will be securely wiped.

We have two options for clearing your data. Please choose the one you need.

Option 1. Erase the partition

• Right-click the partition you want to wipe and select "Erase."
• In the new window, set how you want to erase the partition, then click "OK."
• Click the "Execute 1 Task" button in the bottom right, review your changes, and click "Apply."

Option 2: Erase the disk

Select HDD/SSD, then right-click “Erase Disk”. Choose the number of times you want to overwrite the data. (Maximum of 10 times.) Click “OK”. Click “Perform 1 Task” and then click “Apply”.

Does "Secure Erase" harm an SSD?

This depends on how many times Secure Erase overwrites the cells on your disk. Excessive overwriting can shorten an SSD's lifespan, but don't worry too much about it. Three to five passes won't hurt your SSD too much, so feel free to use Secure Erase, as it should have no negative effect on your storage device, as you'd expect.

Bottom line

Secure Erase thoroughly wipes your SSD or HDD, making data recovery impossible. So, it's a good option when you want to sanitize your drive and restore its performance. The free SSD wipe tool it offers lets you securely erase your SSD or HDD with just a few clicks and quickly back up the entire disk before cleaning, if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Securely Erasing an SSD or HDD

Follow this section to learn more about securely erasing an SSD or HDD:

< strong > 1. What's the difference between securely erasing an SSD and an HDD?

In an HDD, if the operating system requests that new data be written to the same area as existing data, the drive simply overwrites the old data (through magnetism). But, on an SSD, the target area must first be cleared before data can be written to the space it previously occupied.

Does Secure Erase improve performance?

This restores the flash cells to their initial state, wiping all data from the SSD.

**3. How to securely erase data from an HDD or SSD?** To safely remove data from an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), you can follow these methods: 1. **Format the drive using disk utilities:** - On Windows, use "Disk Management" for quick or full format. - On macOS, use "Disk Utility" for the Erase function. - On Linux, use the `dd` command or the `shred` command. 2. **Use data destruction software:** - DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) is a bootable CD/DVD/USB specifically designed for securely wiping hard drive data. - Other software options include CCleaner (Windows), Eraser (Windows), and SDelete (Windows). 3. **Utilize secure erase options:** - SSDs typically have built-in wear leveling and garbage collection mechanisms, which may allow data recovery after a simple deletion. Use the SSD's specific secure erase feature (like the TRIM command) to ensure data is irrecoverable. 4. **Physical destruction:** - For the highest level of data security, you can physically destroy the drive by crushing, cutting, or demagnetizing it. Keep in mind that advanced recovery techniques might still be able to retrieve some data from damaged drives. Therefore, for sensitive information, consider using professional services or adhering to industry standards like the US Department of Defense's DoD 5220.22-M standard.

Please refer to the tutorial below:

• Enter your system's BIOS or UEFI settings.
• Navigate to your hard drive and select it.
• Search for a Data Erase or Secure Erase option.
• Initiate the Secure Erase or wiping process, following any prompts or guidelines that appear.