Things You'll Need:
- Windows operating system
- Drive-wiping software
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Step 1
Click the Start menu and select "My Computer." This will open the My Computer window.
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Step 2
Double-click on the drive you want to erase.
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Step 3
Click "Edit" in the toolbar in the upper-left side of the screen.
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Step 4
Click the "Select All" option. All of the icons on your backup drive will turn blue at this point.
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Step 5
Hold down the Shift key and hit the Delete button. All files will be deleted. This is the most basic and least secure way to erase files from your drive. This process simply deletes the links to the file so Windows no longer recognizes them.
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Step 1
Click the Start menu and select "My Computer." This will open the My Computer window.
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Step 2
Right-click the hard drive you want to erase. This will bring up a menu.
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Step 3
Select "Format" from the menu. This will bring up a Format window.
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Step 4
Select the type of format you want to do. Quick Format simply deletes the header on the drive, leaving the files intact but not recognized. It takes a short time to complete. Full Format removes all of the files from the drive. It takes much longer than the Quick Format option. Once the format is complete, your drive will be erased.
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Step 1
Download or purchase hard drive wiping software. There is a wide range of programs available, some of which can be downloaded and used free of charge. WipeDrive is one program available (see Resources below). You'll find a list of programs you can download for free or purchase in Resources as well.
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Step 2
Execute the software and select the drive you want to wipe. The software will write over all data stored on the drive using number patterns.
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Step 3
Format the hard drive once the first write-over is complete.
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Step 4
Repeat the wipe and format process several times to ensure that all data is irrecoverably deleted.
