It is no wonder that in the age of technology, so many people are found asking that is it possible to delete everything off the computer. Be it preparing the machine for a sale, privacy concern, or just the need for a fresh start. One should always know the means of effectively removing data. This article will focus on different techniques. Both do it yourself and with the help of professional software, for obliteration of data. Besides this, if you like you can read what is degaussing hard drive?
Why Would You Want to Delete Everything?
When it comes to removing all files from a computer, there are many understandable reasons why such a need would arise. For instance, while selling or throwing away a computer, personal info should be gotten rid of to mitigate the risks of this data getting into the wrong hands. Additionally, the operating system may need to be reinstalled afresh to counter some nagging software problems. Whatever the case may be, is it possible to take out everything from a computer in a very safe and effective manner? Definitely, but only with proper attention to the means used.
Common Methods to Delete Everything Off Your Computer
Manual File Deletion
Perhaps the easiest approach is to delete everything off step by step. It entails choosing the entire personal files available on your computer including the desktop, documents, downloads, other folders, and hitting the ‘delete’ command. Nevertheless, this solution does not completely respond to the query, can you flush everything from your computer? The reason is that files removed manually are kept in the Recycle Bin and can be retrieved.
Empty the Recycle Bin
Following the deletion of files manually, the next step would be to make sure that the Recycle Bin is also cleared. While this suffices in making the files less accessible. It should be noted that they can still be retrieved with storage recovery software. Hence, erasing the contents of the Recycle Bin is not conclusive of the problem.
Format the Hard Drive
Another strategy that proves to be more satisfactory when it comes to getting rid of everything is formatting the hard disk. In this case, the current file system is removed resulting into the present data in the disk being unreachable. Yet still, even after formatting this cannot be construed to mean that the information is lost forever. Formatted information is likely to be restored using the recovery utilities available today. So, is it so that one can wipe everything clean off a computer simply by formatting partition? Not quite so.
Reinstalling the Operating System
Reformatting and reinstalling the operating system is yet another frequently used method particularly suitable for instances where one wants to delete everything. It clears all the files in the system and aims to bring the computer back to its original settings. Though this may look like a remedy, it is not entirely risk-free. Residual old files could theoretically remain in the hard drive, and retrieval programs can rescue them.
Specialized Kit for Data Wiping
In case you are questioning, whether one can wipe clean every single thing from a PC in such a way that restoring the data would seem impossible. The answer lies with a specialized application. One such application is SysTools hard drive data wipe software. This software ensures all files will be destroyed and will not return to your computer. It employs sophisticated techniques that completely wipe the disk many times. Thus making it impossible for any recovery software to access the erased files. This technology is aimed at the ultimate customers. Specially, those who wish to ensure that every last piece of data has been removed. And is one of the best options available today.
What About Deleting Everything on SSDs?
Nand Flash memory is the basic storage medium of every SSD. Unlike traditional HDDs. SSDs do not rely on magnetic head so they do not produce any moving parts and uses flash memory chips instead. This feature is an advantage to the operation of SSD because TRIM function ease the management of deleted files. However, TRIM does not remove all the data immediately either. So in answering a question ‘If I have an SSD can I wipe everything from my computer’ the answer is not the same.
With regard to SSDs data should erase software that works with the TRIM command be used. WHEN IT COMES TO SSD’S, DELETING INFORMATION WITH THE STANDARD HARD DRIVE WIPE MAY NOT DO THE JOB. Thus then be keen to get the right tools or even better ask your SSD dealer how best to erase data from your SSD.
Securely Erasing Data in Windows and macOS
Both Windows and macOS come with their own set of tools that can assist in completely formatting. And wiping clean the computer’s hard disk. For Windows, the Reset this PC option allows options to Remove everything and Reinstall windows. One can either choose to keep personal files or remove all of them from the system. For complete reassurance that nothing is left behind, including system files that are necessary for a fast installation in the repair hard disk option, choose to remove everything.
On a Mac, the method is to use Disk Utility and wipe the whole disk. One can also restart the computer while holding down Command + R to enter macOS Recovery Mode. Then select Disk Utility from the options. When performing the action, ensure that Erase is checked. Also, your disk is formatted to the designated file system depending on whether the computer will have macOS reinstalled back or will be up for sale.
But even these built-in strategies may be insufficient as they too can leave some recoverable data. Hence the question – is it really possible to wipe a computer clean and leave no possible chance of recovery. Almost always has to do with the fact that these strategies have to be supplemented by other additional methods as well.
Can You Recover Data After Deleting?
Unless specific additional steps are taken, data that has been erased is frequently retrievable. Applications such as Recuva or Disk Drill are capable of restoring even files that have been erased from the system or storage media that have been reformatted. Thus, it is imperative to use efficient data erasure tools knowing that the data cannot be retrieved in the future.
So, can you erase everything off a computer in such a way that it would be impossible to get it back? Yes, but there is a need to employ secure wiping techniques which means some software for that will be employed.
Conclusion
There is an unequivocal answer to the question of whether it is possible to clean out one’s computer completely in this blog. The answer is affirmative, though not in the obvious manner of manual deletion, emptying the Recycle Bin or formatting even the most sophisticated of systems. For complete data erasure, secure wiping methods or systems like SysTools Data Wipe Software must be applied. This way, there will be no chance of any sensitive information being retrievable, and your essential privacy will be protected.
