How to Secure Erase SSD or HDD for Free

Updated by

Roxanne 

Written by

Tracy King 

Updated on Apr 28, 2025

When you attempt to prepare your storage device for a new user, you may need to securely erase the SSD or HDD to protect your private data. What is secure erase, and how do you do it? EaseUS will lead you through all the information that you want to know.

How to Securely Erase SSD - 3 Ways

Way 1. Securely Erase the SSD via a Professional Disk Eraser

Ensure you have backed up all the files you need on the hard drive you will erase. To effectively back up a whole disk, you can use the free backup software. Once it's done, the data stored will be lost forever. To secure erase an SSD or HDD with the free SSD erasing tool:

We've set two options for you to wipe data. Choose the one you need.

Option 1.  Wipe Partition

• Right-click the partition you want to erase data from, and choose "Wipe".
• In the new window, set the time for which you want to wipe your partition, then click "OK".
• Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button in the lower right corner, check the changes, then click "Apply".

Option 2. Wipe Disk

• Select the HDD/SSD. And right-click to choose "Wipe Disk".
• Set the number of times to wipe data. (You can set to 10 at most.) Then Click "OK".
• Click "Execute 1 Task(s)" and then click "Apply".

The time it takes to wipe out an SSD or HDD varies depending on its capacity. Generally, it's longer than deleting files due to the additional overwriting process. Thus, if you have a large disk to wipe, wait patiently for the process to complete.

EaseUS Partition Master is powerful software that will fulfill many disk-related needs. With the free software installed, you can:

• Resize partitions to allocate your disk space according to your needs
• Merge partitions to expand the storage
• Create/format/delete partitions to prepare the space for reuse
• Convert the disk/partition between primary and logical, MBR and GPT, or from FAT to NTFS

If you upgrade to the Pro version, there will be more useful features available, like, migrate OS to SSD/HDD, partition recovery, and bootable disk creation.

Way 2. Secure Erase Your SSD via Motherboard

Securely erasing an SSD via the motherboard is a process that involves performing a Secure Erase operation using the SSD manufacturer's software or tools. Here is a general guide on how to securely erase your SSD via the motherboard:

Step 1. Make sure your SSD is connected to your motherboard and recognized by your system.

Step 2. Download the SSD manufacturer's software or tool that supports Secure Erase operations. Some popular tools include Samsung Magician for Samsung SSDs or Crucial Storage Executive for Crucial SSDs.

Step 3. Run the software and locate the Secure Erase or Secure Erase Wizard option.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to initiate the Secure Erase operation. This will securely erase all data on the SSD by resetting it to factory settings.

Step 5. Once the Secure Erase operation is complete, you can reinstall the operating system or use the SSD for a fresh installation.

It's important to note that securely erasing an SSD via the motherboard may vary depending on its manufacturer and model. Check the manufacturer's guidelines and recommendations for performing a Secure Erase operation on your specific SSD.

Way 3. Securely Erase the SSD via the Manufacturer's Utility

Here are some of the Manufacturer's utilities:

• SeaTools for Seagate Drives
• Sabrent Control Panel
• Kingston SSD Manager
• Crucial Storage Executive
• Western Digital Dashboard
• Samsung SSD Magician

Make sure to back up any important data on the SSD before proceeding with the erasure, as all data on the SSD will be permanently deleted.

Step 1. First, download the SSD manufacturer's utility for securely erasing the SSD from its official website.

Step 2. Install the utility on your computer and open it.

Step 3. Select the SSD you want to erase from the list of connected drives securely.

Step 4. Follow the instructions provided by the utility to erase the SSD securely. This may involve selecting the erase method (such as Quick Erase, Full Erase, Secure Erase), and confirming that you want to proceed with the erasure.

How to Securely Erase HDD

Unlike some ways that require bootable USB drives, EaseUS Partition Master can wipe your computer's hard drive directly from within the Windows environment.

The only difference is that the free tool permanently erases your data by writing random numbers, not binary ones or zeros. Regardless of the process, the outcome is the same: your HDD will be securely wiped out.

We've set two options for you to wipe data. Choose the one you need.

Option 1.  Wipe Partition

• Right-click the partition you want to erase data from, and choose "Wipe".
• In the new window, set the time for which you want to wipe your partition, then click "OK".
• Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button in the lower right corner, check the changes, then click "Apply".

Option 2. Wipe Disk

• Select the HDD/SSD. And right-click to choose "Wipe Disk".
• Set the number of times to wipe data. (You can set to 10 at most.) Then Click "OK".
• Click "Execute 1 Task(s)" and then click "Apply".

Does Secure Erase Damage SSD

That depends on how often the Secure Erase overwrites the cells on the disk. Too many overwrites might lower the lifespan of the SSD. But don't fret. Just wiping the SSD three or five times won't damage it much. Thus, feel free to securely erase the SSD because, as you may expect, there is no detrimental effect on the storage device.

The Bottom Line

Secure Erase can wipe out your SSD or HDD, making the data unrecoverable. Given that, it's a good choice when you want to sanitize the drive and recover its performance. The free SSD erasing tool from EaseUS allows you to erase your SSD or HDD with simple clicks securely and back up the whole disk quickly before the cleanup when necessary.

FAQs About Securely Erase SSD or HDD

Follow this section and explore more information related to securely erasing SSD or HDD:

1. What are the differences between SSD and HDD secure erase?

In an HDD system, the drive will immediately overwrite the old data (magnetically) if the operating system requests that new data be written to the same area where it is already stored. However, data cannot be written to previously held areas on an SSD until the target region has been cleared.

2. Will Secure Erase improve performance?

This will restore the flash memory cells to their original state and erase all of the data on the SSD.

3. How can I securely clear HDD or SSD data?

Refer to the tutorial below:

• Input your system's BIOS or UEFI settings.
• Locate your drive and click on it.
• Search for a data wipe or Secure Erase option.
• Execute the Secure Erase or wipe process, paying attention to any relevant prompts or guidelines that may appear.