Do you need to wipe a hard drive on your computer running Windows 7? In this blog post, we will discuss the steps needed to completely wipe all data off of a hard drive. It is important to note that wiping a hard drive is an irreversible process and can’t be undone so make sure to back up any files you need prior to beginning the process. Learn Windows 7 How to Wipe Hard Drive?
Windows 7 How to Wipe Hard Drive?
- Before You Start – Before getting started it is important that you have the most recent updates installed on your computer. It is also recommended that you create a bootable USB flash drive with the recovery image in order to restore your computer should something go wrong during the process. To do this, download Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, run it, and follow the prompts.
- Wiping Your Hard Drive – Once you have backed up anything you need and created a recovery image, open File Explorer by clicking the Start button and selecting Computer or clicking the folder icon on your taskbar. On the left hand side of File Explorer, right-click on the disk (C: ) containing the data that needs to be wiped and select Format from the drop-down menu. Select NTFS from the “File System” drop-down menu then check “Quick Format” and “Perform a Quick Format” before clicking Start. When prompted for confirmation click OK then wait for your system to finish formatting your hard drive. Note: This will not encrypt your data; it will only prevent anyone from being able to access it without reformatting again. For more secure methods of deleting data see below.
- Securely Deleting Data – With File Explorer still open, right-click on each file or folder that needs its data securely wiped and select Properties from the drop-down menu. Select Advanced then check “Encrypt contents to secure data” before clicking Apply then OK twice in order save these changes and return to File Explorer. Right-click again on each file or folder selected earlier then select Delete from drop-down menu in order permanently remove them from your hard drive while ensuring their contents remain encrypted.
Conclusion
Wiping a hard drive is an irreversible process but there are ways for users of Windows 7 computers to securely delete their data which can help protect user privacy as well as keeping sensitive information safe from unwanted eyes online or offline. It is important that if you choose this method of deletion, however, that you back up any files needed prior in case something goes wrong during the process so that they can be restored later if necessary. If done correctly, wiping or securely deleting a hard drive can give users peace of mind knowing their personal information remains private no matter where they go online or offline!