Securely wiping HDD - Windows 10 restore function?

bairn7

Hi

I'm selling my desktop shortly as I'm moving abroad. I have used it for almost 2 years for work and am a bit paranoid about security issues I was going to sell it without the HDD. It is also a decent spec gaming desktop.

I've been looking into the in-built windows 10 restore function and it sounds like it is pretty comprehensive in terms of wiping data. Does anyone more knowledgeable have any thoughts on how effective the inbuilt function is? Or any other way to securely wipe my HDD?

Thanks

Chino

bairn7 wrote: »

Or any other way to securely wipe my HDD?

You could look at DBAN.

EveryWhere

bairn7 wrote: »

Hi

I'm selling my desktop shortly as I'm moving abroad. I have used it for almost 2 years for work and am a bit paranoid about security issues I was going to sell it without the HDD. It is also a decent spec gaming desktop.

I've been looking into the in-built windows 10 restore function and it sounds like it is pretty comprehensive in terms of wiping data. Does anyone more knowledgeable have any thoughts on how effective the inbuilt function is? Or any other way to securely wipe my HDD?

Thanks

If you intend to sell it without the HDD, what difference does it make?
Will you ever really feel comfortable with it in there?

If you want to sell it with the HDD within, consider buying an inexpensive SSD and putting that in as the Boot drive. Install Windows 10 cleanly to it. Then reconnect the old HDD as secondary storage, DBAN it and then format it as a storage drive via Disk Management.

Combination of fast SSD boot drive and larger storage may make it more attractive. Especially for those too afraid to fit an SSD for themselves..

that

think you could install veracrypt and full disk encryption, then when finish reformat with windows.

then there is killdisk - another dban type one, if you google you will find more

zaax

I bought a secondhand laptop a few years ago, just out of interest I used one of the restore programs - it was all there. Change the drive, new SSD's are cheap enough

Frozen_up_north

The only really secure way to delete data on a HDD is to physically destroy the drive. If you are happy to rely on programs that wipe drives, be very careful. You will sleep soundly if you physically destroy the drive and install a new replacement with a clean install of the OS, they are cheap enough.

rajeshk4u

I have bought 4 PCs on eBay. One had been wiped clean. Two had some user data, but not all (not really user's fault but Microsoft who don't provide the tools). One seller made no attempt to delete her data.

You don't need to go as far as destroying the drive. However, you need to format the drive and re-install.

grumpycrab

£15 SSD install latest Windows and updates and local account "user"; easier to sell possibly?

dan958

rajeshk4u wrote: »

You don't need to go as far as destroying the drive. However, you need to format the drive and re-install.

I would never trust just a format. Some of my drives i'll be happy DBANing, but if anything I have included secure info (like private keys), I'll be keeping those drives.

The chances of the person buying it being malcious is low, but the risk is always there.

bairn7

Thanks all

I think the peace of mind in keeping or physically destroying the disk outweighs the convenience of selling with HDD. I'll try to sell without the HDD but if no interest, I'll stick a cheap HDD in there with a fresh Windows install.

Thanks again

poppellerant

Just use widely available free software to securely wipe the hard drive for free. All you need is a blank disc or USB memory stick to put the software on - pennies for a blank CD/DVD and even less if you can use a spare USB stick.

I personally use software to fill my old drives with random data before zero filling the drive. If you wish to do so, then you can install Windows 10 to make it more appealing to potential buyers.

I bet you could do it for less than £1.00 including the electricity used. Why spend a penny more when there is no benefit or point?