How to Wipe Hard Drive in Windows 7 Completely

Updated by

Roxanne 

Updated on Dec 11, 2024

Wiping the hard drive is essential for reasons like：

• Selling or Donating: Delete all your data on this hard drive before you sell or donate it.
• Performance Issues: A fresh start can help resolve performance problems caused by accumulated files and settings.
• Malware Concerns: If your system has been infected with malware, wiping the drive can help eliminate persistent threats.

Whether you are preparing to sell, donate, or recycle your computer, ensure that all personal data is completely erased to protect your privacy and prevent sensitive information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. In this comprehensive guide, EaseUS will walk you through various techniques, including using built-in Windows tools, command-line methods, and third-party software.

How to Wipe Hard Drive in Windows 7

1. Way 1. Pro Software to Wipe Hard Drive - Completely
2. Way 2. Using Diskpart to Wipe Disk
3. Way 3. Reset Windows 7 PC
4. Way 4. Using Manufacturer's Software to Erase Hard Drive

To wipe a hard drive in Windows 7, you can follow several methods depending on whether you want to erase the entire system or just specific partitions. 

Way 1. Pro Software to Wipe Hard Drive - Completely

The versatile partition manager EaseUS Partition Master Professional can also serve as a hard drive wiping tool to erase an SSD or HDD securely. The "Wipe Data" feature works almost identically to the Secure Erase commands. The only difference is that EaseUS Partition Master erases your data permanently by writing random numbers, not binary ones or zeros. With its robust disk management features, you can not only wipe data but also be able to manage your disks efficiently for optimal performance.

Refer to the detailed instructions below to wipe your hard drive in Windows 7 seamlessly:

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".

How to Wipe Hard Drive in Windows 10

By following this guide, you will learn how to completely wipe the hard drive and erase all data on it using multiple ways.

Way 2. Using Diskpart to Wipe Disk

Diskpart is a command-line utility in Windows that allows you to manage disk partitions and volumes. You can also use Diskpart to wipe a disk, including all data. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use Diskpart to wipe a disk:

Step 1: Open a Command Prompt with administrative privileges. You can do this by searching for "Command Prompt" in the Start menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting "Run as administrator."

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type "diskpart" and press Enter to launch the Diskpart utility.

Step 3: Type the commands below and hit Enter for each:

• list disk (to display a list of all the disks connected to your computer)
• select disk X (replace X with the disk number of the disk you want to wipe) 
• clean(This action will erase all data on the disk, so make sure you have backed up any important files before proceeding)
• exit(to exit the Diskpart utility)

Share the four solutions with more Windows 7 users:

Way 3. Reset Windows 7 PC

You can follow these steps to restore the system to its factory settings and wipe the Windows 7 hard drive. This process will erase all personal files and applications, so be sure to back up any important data before proceeding:

Step 1: On your Windows computer, select "Settings" from the Start menu.

Step 2: Choose "Update and recovery" from the Settings menu. In the Windows pane on the left, select "Recovery."

Step 3: Click the "Get Started" button under the "Reset this PC" option.

Step 4: Click "Remove everything." A new window will open.

Step 5: Select Local Reinstall to expedite the installation process.

Step 6: To begin the Windows reset, click Next.

Way 4. Using Manufacturer's Software to Erase Hard Drive

Many computer manufacturers provide built-in recovery tools that allow users to restore their systems to factory settings, which includes wiping the data from the hard drive. (e.g., Samsung Magician, Crucial Storage Executive).

If you want to erase a hard drive using the manufacturer's software, you will need to first identify the brand and model of your hard drive. Once you have this information, you can visit the manufacturer's website to download the appropriate software to erase the drive securely.

To use the manufacturer's software to erase your hard drive, follow these steps:

• Download and install the software from the manufacturer's website.
• Connect the hard drive to your computer and open the software.
• Follow the prompts in the software to select the drive you want to erase and choose the method of erasure (such as quick erase or full erase).
• Confirm that you want to erase the drive and wait for the process to complete.
• Once the drive has been erased, it will be ready to be reused or disposed of securely.

Conclusion

Wiping a hard drive in Windows 7 is a straightforward process that can be accomplished through various methods depending on your needs and comfort level with technology. Whether you choose built-in tools, command-line options, or third-party software, back up any important data before proceeding with these steps. By following this guide, you can effectively clear your hard drive of unwanted data and start fresh with a clean slate. To save you precious time, we highly recommend EaseUS Partition Master for automatic hard drive wiping tasks.

FAQs of How to Wipe Hard Drive in Windows 7

Don't miss this part if you have more queries. FAQ collected some related questions about wiping hard drives in Windows 7. Check it out:

1. Does factory reset delete everything on a Windows 7 computer?

A factory reset on a Windows 7 computer will typically delete most user data and applications but not completely erase everything, depending on how it's executed. For complete data security, especially if you're selling or donating your device, installation media in full format is advisable.

2. How can I wipe Windows 7 for recycling?

For full and complete computer data wiping, consider using dedicated software such as DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke):

• Download the DBAN ISO file from its official website.
• Use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive with the DBAN ISO.
• Insert the USB drive into your computer and restart.
• Access the boot menu (usually by pressing F12 or Esc during startup) and select the USB drive.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to wipe your hard drive securely. Choose options for how thoroughly you want to overwrite data (e.g., DoD 5220.22-M for multiple passes).

3. Does Windows 7 have Disk Cleanup?

Yes, Windows 7 does include a built-in utility called Disk Cleanup. This tool is designed to help users free up disk space by removing unnecessary files from their systems.