How To Erase Your Hard Drive

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Prevent identity theft by thoroughly erasing the information contained on your hard drive.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A computer with internet access
A drive-erasing tool
A blank CD or USB drive
An external hard drive (optional)

Step 1: Back up everything

Before you erase your hard drive, back up everything you want to save on CDs or an external hard drive.

Step 2: Download a drive-erasing tool

For a PC, download a dedicated drive-erasing tool for free online.

Tip: Look for a tool that is recommended on reputable tech web sites or by the manufacturer of your computer.

Step 3: Create a boot disk

Create a boot disk using a CD or USB drive by following the instructions from the drive-erasing tool.

Step 4: Follow instructions

Read and follow the instructions for the drive-erase tool to erase the hard drive by overwriting the data.

Step 5: Erase a Mac hard drive

Erase the hard drive on a Mac by going to Applications, Utilities, and opening the Disk Utility. Select the drive in Disk Utility, click the Erase tab, then Erase Free Space.

Step 6: Using Disk Utility

In the popup menu, choose Zero Out Deleted Files, 7-Pass Erase, or 35-Pass Erase. 7-pass takes seven times longer than the zero out option, and 35-Pass takes 35 times as long, since they write over the disk seven and 35 times, respectively, ensuring you have thoroughly cleaned the drive.

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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• HotHowTos
• hard
• drive
• erase
• your
• computers
• technology
• identity
• theft
• prevent
• computer

[HunniiBaybiie123]

"How to erase your hard drive"

That's easy- take a cold shower.

[CorneliusGrim]

Get a hammer and smash it. Problem Sovled.

[SHORTN3SS01]

@redeyejedi94 i was thinking the same thing

[TheViper61001]

Sup

[TheWizTechKid]

@CorneliusGrim No shit right

[wassup986]

LOL "To prevent identity theft...."

That's like saying, "To prevent people from stealing your shit, destroy it to hell."

[redeyejedi94]

why is there a windows wallpaper on a mac??

[H20HotIce]

I dont have internet access though how do I access such a nice feature?

[elasticunderpants]

@CorneliusGrim i tried to destroy a hard drive once. i had to hammer a screwdriver through. therefor only using a hammer won't work.

[samme135]

well i am going to do this

[GTAxooxMusic]

@HunniiBaybiie123 lmao