How to Wipe a Computer (Mac and Windows)

Updated By

Linda 

Written By

Linda 

Last Updated on April 19, 2024

Laptops store vast amounts of personal and professional information. Eventually, however, every laptop reaches the end of its operational life. This might be due to an upgrade, replacement, or the need to protect sensitive data. In such cases, knowing how to wipe a laptop clean becomes essential.

In this comprehensive article, we'll delve into the intricacies of computer erasure, catering to both Mac and Windows users. Upon finishing, you'll possess the knowledge to thoroughly erase your computer. Share this page on social media to assist others in removing sensitive data from their computers:

How to Wipe a Computer Running Windows - 3 Ways

When it comes to erasing a computer, you'll find that there are several methods to choose from. Each is designed for a specific situation or personal preference. Whether your goal is to remove all personal information while keeping the operating system or prefer a full factory reset, we've got you covered. Here are three different ways to erase a computer:

Method 1: Reset Your Windows Computer

Resetting your Windows PC is a simple way to clean it up while keeping the operating system intact. This is a great choice if you're preparing the computer for personal use or to give to someone else. Here's a step-by-step guide to resetting your Windows PC:

Step 1: Press the "Win + I" keys to open the Settings on your Windows computer, then select "Update & Security." In the left menu, click on "Recovery," and under the "Reset this PC" section, click the "Get started" button.

Step 2: After clicking on "Reset," you'll see two options. Here, select "Remove everything" and then choose "Just remove my files." Finally, click on "Reset" to start the process and wait for it to finish.

Method 2: Wipe a Windows Computer with DBAN

If you want to make sure your data leaves no trace on a Windows machine, consider using the powerful tool Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN). DBAN is a free and open-source software that securely wipes data from hard drives or storage devices.

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It performs a more thorough wipe, making it almost impossible to recover your data. Here's how to use DBAN to wipe a Windows computer:

Step 1: Visit the DBAN website (dban.org) to download the latest version of the software. Grab a blank USB drive and use software like Rufus to burn the DBAN ISO image to it.

Step 2: Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive you created. Use the BIOS shortcut key (usually "Del" or an "F" key) to enter the BIOS settings. Here, change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive you made.

Step 3: Now, exit the BIOS settings using the escape key (usually “F10”). Wait for DBAN to load, then use the “J” and “K” keys to select a wipe method and navigate to the hard drive you want to erase. Use the “Spacebar” to select it.

Step 4: After selecting the drive, press “F10” to begin erasing the data. This process can take several hours, so make sure your computer is plugged in.

Select the hard drive you want

Method 3: Wipe Hard Drive with Disk Partition Master

MiniTool Partition Wizard is a powerful yet user-friendly disk management utility. It empowers you to perform various tasks on your hard drive, such as resizing, moving, and merging partitions, particularly erasing data securely and thoroughly. This tool offers a direct way to wipe all data from Windows computers with several advantages over alternative methods.

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Advantages of using AOMEI Partition Assistant:

• User-friendly interface: The tool features a clear interface that is friendly to both beginners and experienced users.
• Data security: Partition Master offers advanced data erasure methods to ensure that deleted data cannot be recovered.
• Fast and efficient: The tool executes tasks swiftly, saving time during the erasure process.
• Flexible data management: Apart from wiping functions, you can also perform various disk and partition operations, making it a comprehensive disk management solution.

Steps to wipe a hard drive with Partition Master Tool

Here are the steps to wipe a computer using Partition Master:

We have two options for erasing your data. Please choose the one you need.

Option 1: Erase the partition

• Right-click the partition you want to wipe and select “Erase.”
• In the new window, set the time you want the erasure to take, then click “OK.”
• Click “Perform 1 Task” in the bottom right corner, review your changes, and click “Apply.”

Option 2: Erase the disk

Select HDD/SSD, then right-click and choose "Erase Disk." Set the number of times you want to overwrite the data (up to 10 times). Click "OK." Click "Perform 1 Task," then click "Apply."

Other features of Partition Master:

• Change file system or convert between GPT and MBR without data loss.
• Free up disk space on Windows 8.
• Improve SSD performance.
• Repair bad sectors on SD card.

We highly recommend using Partition Master as a safe and efficient tool to wipe your Windows computer. Its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and advanced data erasure methods make it a reliable choice for protecting your data and ensuring a clean startup of your computer.

How to Erase a Mac Computer - 2 Methods

When you're ready to sell or upgrade to a new Mac, erasing your device is an important step. Here are two ways to securely erase your Mac:

Method 1: Reset Your Mac

Resetting your Mac is a simple way to clear it out while keeping the macOS operating system intact. If you plan on continuing to use your Mac, this is the ideal solution. Here's how to reset your Mac:

Step 1: Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner to open the Apple menu, then click “Restart.” While your Mac is restarting, hold down the “Command + R” keys to enter Recovery Mode. Release the keys when you see the “macOS Utilities” window.

Step 2: Select “Disk Utility” from the available options and click “Continue.” On the next screen, select your Mac drive from the “Internal” section in the left sidebar. Now, click “Erase” from the top toolbar.

Step 3: This will prompt a window to appear, where you should click on the "Erase" option. In this step, choose "Mac OS Extended" from the drop-down menu. Finally, click "Erase" to begin the resetting process. Once done, click "Done" to finalize the operation.

Method 2: Clearing Your Mac

Erasing your Mac performs a more thorough deletion of data, making it the ideal choice when you're preparing to sell or give away your Mac. Here's how to securely erase your Mac:

Step 1: Restart your Mac using the Apple menu. As soon as it restarts, press "Command + R" to enter Recovery Mode. Here, select "Disk Utility" from the "macOS Utilities" menu, then click "Continue."

Step 2: Select your Mac's hard drive from the sidebar on the left, then click “Erase” from the top toolbar. In the window that pops up, click “Security Options” and slide the bar all the way to the right to “Most Secure.”

Click “Security options.”

Step 3: Click "Erase" and then "OK" to close the window. Now click "Erase" again to begin erasing your Mac. This process may take several hours to complete.

Click "Erase" to proceed.

Conclusions

In summary, we've delved into the fundamental strategies for wiping both Windows and Mac computers. This equips you with the information and confidence to choose the method best suited to your needs. For Windows users, we discussed the convenience of resetting the PC and the powerful data erasure capabilities of DBAN.

For Mac users, we covered how to reset your Mac and how to securely erase your Mac to protect your data. We also introduced Partition Master, a powerful yet user-friendly disk management tool that includes a data erasure feature. This software streamlines the process and offers advanced data security features, making it an excellent choice for ensuring the confidentiality of your data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on How to Perform Hard Drive Data Destruction

Before you proceed with "How to Wipe a Computer", you might have some common questions and concerns. Here are the answers to help address your issues:

1. Does erasing a computer delete everything?

Yes, a wipe will delete all user data and apps, but this depends on the method used. However, it may not remove the operating system unless explicitly chosen during the process. Always back up important data on your Windows PC or MacBook before proceeding.

**2. How can I force my computer to reset to its default settings?**

Here are the general steps to reset your computer:

Step 1: Select Start > Settings. In the Settings window, go to Update & Security.

Step 2: On the left panel, select "Recovery," then under "Reset this PC," click "Get started."

Step 3: Select “Erase all content and settings” from the given options. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform a factory reset.

How long does it take to wipe a computer?

The time it takes to wipe a computer can vary depending on several factors, including the method chosen, the capacity of the hard drive, and your computer's processing power. A quick reset might finish in less than an hour, while a thorough data erasure using tools like DBAN could take several hours.