Thankfully, you have several options at your disposal: BIOS

Even after using the Windows tools to format your SSD, you may leave behind fragments of data that could put your privacy at risk. The steps listed above for Windows 10 and Windows 11 aren’t always comprehensive enough to wipe an SSD.

Find and click Change settings in Additional settings.Ĭheck if you have an SSD or HDD because solid-state drives, while faster and more efficient than hard disk drives, are trickier to format.

Chose Local reinstall or Cloud download.

Select Wipe the drive after clicking Change Settings.

Type “Settings” to find the Settings app.

Once you’re ready, try any of the following software or hardware options: How to wipe a hard drive - Windows 10 Please also backup your essential data, such as your cryptocurrency, pictures, documents, and video game save files because you’ll lose everything for good. Though you may also have hardware problems that look like malware problems, so check for all issues before taking a drastic step. You may even want to wipe a hard drive that you suspect carries some stubborn or sneaky malware. Or maybe, you want to start fresh after buying a preowned computer. Perhaps you want to protect your privacy before selling or giving away your hardware.

There are several good reasons why you may want to wipe your hard drive. Wiping a hard drive may sound like something a person who diligently cleans their computer hardware does, but in computing, it means permanently deleting all the data on a storage unit.

Wipe drive system saver