How to Wipe a Hard Drive in Windows 11 (Get the Answer)

When we need to remove data from a storage device, most of us simply delete the files or format the device. While this might seem sufficient for regular users, as the data is no longer accessible, it's not entirely true. This is where the term "erasing a hard drive" comes in. Generally, it refers to permanently removing data from a hard drive in such a way that it becomes unreadable by any software, as the data has been overwritten multiple times.

So, "Wipe" in Chinese, it's like "抹去" or "擦干净". Depending on the situation, it could have different meanings. In the tech world, it might mean erasing data or wiping a storage device clean. In the movie or editing biz, it could refer to a transition effect where one scene smoothly slides into another.

Unlike “formatting” or “deleting,” which merely make files invisible to the operating system (that is, to the file index), “erasing” adds the step of overwriting the storage device with random data, thus junking it.

When do people want to wipe a hard drive?

This is something that average users would do only rarely, because it takes a long time and shortens the life of the drive. But if you are taking your computer in for service or passing it on to someone else, you should use the “Wipe Disk” option to prevent your personal data from falling into other people's hands.

There are recovery apps that can restore data from deleted files, and data can remain accessible until a drive is overwritten in its entirety, sector by sector, with random data – a process known as sanitization.

There are two ways to wipe all data from a hard drive: with Windows Recovery and with the Disk Partition Master tool.

Note: If the hard disk is not empty, make sure to back up all existing data beforehand.

How to Use Settings to Wipe Your Hard Drive in Windows 11
How to Use Hard Drive Erasure Software to Wipe Your Hard Drive

How to Use Windows Settings to Wipe a Hard Drive in Windows 11

Windows 11 includes a built-in recovery tool designed for just this scenario, but it will require you to be comfortable with the fact that everything on your computer will be erased.

Step 1: Press Win + I to open “Settings,” then go to “System” > “Recovery.” If you're using Windows 10, this option is located under “Settings” > “Update & Security” > “Recovery.”

Windows System Recovery: Reset This PC

Step Two: Under the Recovery heading, click the Reset this PC button next to Reset.

Step 3: You'll be given two options: “Keep my files and refresh your PC” and “Remove everything and reinstall Windows.” Choose the latter.

Step 4: Next, choose “Download from the Cloud” or “Reinstall from Local.” The former will download the latest version and install it, while the latter will reinstall the operating system that came with or was originally installed on your computer.

Step 5: Your computer will then restart and proceed with the reset, which can take a few hours to erase everything.

When you choose Erase All Content and Settings, you'll be asked if you want to erase quickly or securely. A quick erase might still allow some data to be recovered with special software. A secure erase takes longer, but makes data harder to recover.

How to Wipe a Hard Drive Using Disk Eraser Software

One major issue with the Disk Cleanup option in Windows is that it applies to the entire system, not just a specific partition or connected storage. If you want to wipe only an external storage device, the Windows tool isn't ideal.

Alternatively, you can use a dedicated drive-wiping tool. There are many such utilities, one of which is AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.

AOMEI Partition Assistant is a professional disk management solution that handles all disk-related tasks on your hard drive. You can resize partitions, merge partitions, create new ones, and delete them. It also allows you to convert MBR to GPT and create a bootable disk for advanced recovery scenarios.

That said, the tool is also useful for wiping data. It could be a hard drive or a partition; you can erase it. It will come in handy if you need to make sure that data on an external hard drive or USB drive cannot be recovered.

Here's how to wipe data using the Partition Master tool:

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

Option 1: Erase the partition

1. Right-click on the partition you want to wipe and select "Wipe Data." 2. In the new window, set the time you want to overwrite the partition and click "OK." 3. Click the "Execute Operation" button in the top right corner to review the changes and then click "Apply."

Option 2: Wipe the disk

4. Select HDD/SSD, then right-click "Erase Data." 5. Set the number of erasures (up to 10 times), then click "OK." 6. After verifying the information, click "OK." 7. Click "Perform Tasks," and then click "Apply."

Conclusions

Erasing data from storage devices is not an easy task, whether you're a beginner or an experienced user. If you're a pro at data wiping, then your goal might be to make the data irrecoverable. In that case, it's best to use a professional software tool like Partition Master.

It can also be used by regular users, since the UI is easy to understand, and you can preview the results of the operation you plan to perform. Unlike Windows tools, it's faster and doesn't lock you out of Windows.