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User Case
“I need a bootable program that destructively wipes, make the previous data on the drive unrecoverable. I used CFL Shredder but the 7 passes took 70 hours on one hard drive, that is way toolong as I have multiple computers to wipe.Is there a faster way if I want to do a seven-pass secure erase? Any other software you can recommend? Thanks!”
Ifyou need advice on thisissue, this article will sharetwo ways to perform seven-pass secure erase in two different systems, soyou can choose any of them based on your own needs. Pleaseread on for more details.
What Is Seven Pass Secure Erase?
Seven-pass secure erase is a safe way to erase data from a hard drive.It will overwrite the data seven times and therefore it is difficult to recover data from the drive. Itcan help you protect your data, especially some sensitive datawhen you need to replace your drive or transfer it to someone else. Many disk wiping software offers 7 times wipe feature. Some can even offer the option to erase more times.
Wipe Disk on Mac with SevenPassSecureErase
The first method is to use a built-in tool called Disk Utility. If your computer is a Mac system, you can choose this method to help you complete seven pass secure erase. This tool will erase the data on the drive at first and then overwrite the existing data with new randomly generated data, making it inaccessible or unrecoverable. It offers four erase options, including option seven pass secure erase.
Here are specific steps below:
Step 1. Open Applications and find Utilities. Then launch Disk Utility.
Step 2. Choosethedriveyou want to erase.
Step 3. Click the Erase > Security Options button.
Step 4. You’ll see four available choices, choose 7-Pass Erase.
Step 5. Confirm your operations and click OK.
Wipe Disk on Windows with SevenPassSecureErase
If you have a Windows system computer, you can choose a professional disk wiping software for Windows to help you wipe disk. I considerAOMEI Backupper Professional is a great option for many people.Itlet youchoose what to erase as well as which wiping method to use based on your own needs.
It supportserasing partition, unallocated spaceor the wholediskwithdifferent methods including seven pass secure erase. It’sDoD 52220.22-M,which allows you to set the erasing times by yourself, with a minimum of three and a maximum of seven.If you want a more thorough erasing way, you can choose Gutmannwhich can erase disk 32 times.
Notes:
- Seven pass secure erase will wipe all data, you needbackup your important filesbefore erasing.
- If you are using a server version of Windows, you can choose AOMEI Backupper Server to help you erase your disk.
The following are the specific steps.
Step 1. Download AOMEI Backupper Professional, install, and open it. Then click Tools > Disk Wipe.
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Step 2. Select Wipe disk and click Next.
Step 3. Choose the disk you want to erase and click Next.
Step 4. Select the DoD 5220.22-M wiping method and set 7 passes. Then, click Start.
Summary
I believe you have learned the methods ofseven pass secure eraseto wipe the disk. If you are a Mac user,you can choose the built-in tool- Disk Utility.
If you are a Windows user,you can choose a safe and reliable disk wipingsoftware- AOMEI Backupper Professional. It can not only meet your needs of erasing seven times but alsoallows you todetermine the number of times you want to erase.
Besides, this software provides other useful functions, such as how toclone a large disk to a smaller one.If you want to enjoymore features, go to download and use it!
FAQs to Seven Pass Secure Erase
How Long does Seven Pass Secure Erase Take?
The time it takes to perform a seven-pass secure erase is primarily determined by the size of your hard drive. Sincethe software erases every bit on the drive, the time required for each erase is directly proportional to the size of the hard drive. Usually, it takes several hours to erase seven times. The overall time may also be influenced by the hard drive's speed, the software program you use, and possibly the computer's processor speed.
Can Seven Pass Secure Erase Completely Wipe a Hard Drive Clean?
Usually, seven-pass secure erasecan already prevent data from being recovered. Many disk wiping software offers three or five wiping times options, so seven times is enough for many people towipe the disk clean. If you still want to erase more thoroughly, then you can choose software that offers a higher number of wiping times.
Can I Cancel Seven Pass Secure Erase?
It is better not tocancel seven pass secure erase, becauseclosing the disk wipingsoftwareduring erasing process, or force it to close will cause data loss. Even if the software has not finished seven pass secure erase, the data on the original disk will bedeleted.
