Use HP Disk Sanitizer or Secure Erase on Windows PC
0Here's how to Use HP Disk Sanitizer or Secure Erase on Windows PC.
i. Disk Sanitizer can delete Windows. Disk Sanitizer is a utility that can be used to securely erase data from a hard drive. When you use Disk Sanitizer, it will overwrite the data on the hard drive multiple times, making it impossible to recover. This means that if you have Windows installed on your hard drive, and you use Disk Sanitizer to erase the data, Windows will be deleted as well.
If you are planning to sell or donate your computer, it is a good idea to use Disk Sanitizer to erase the data on the hard drive. This will help to protect your privacy and prevent anyone from accessing your personal data.
Here are the steps on how to use Disk Sanitizer to delete Windows:
1. Boot your computer from a bootable disk or USB drive.
2. Open Disk Sanitizer.
3. Select the hard drive that you want to erase.
4. Select the erase method.
5. Click on the "Erase" button.
Disk Sanitizer will then erase the data on the hard drive. This process may take several hours, depending on the size of the hard drive.
Once the erase process is complete, Windows will be deleted from your computer.
It is important to note that Disk Sanitizer is a powerful tool, and it should only be used if you are sure that you want to delete all of the data on the hard drive. Once the data is erased, it cannot be recovered.
ii. The amount of time it takes for Disk Sanitizer to erase a hard drive depends on the size of the hard drive and the erase method that you select.
The following are some of the erase methods that are available in Disk Sanitizer:
* **Quick Erase:** This method overwrites the data on the hard drive once. It is the fastest erase method, but it is not as secure as the other methods.
* **Full Erase:** This method overwrites the data on the hard drive three times. It is more secure than the Quick Erase method, but it takes longer.
* **Gutmann Wipe:** This method overwrites the data on the hard drive 35 times. It is the most secure erase method, but it takes the longest.
In general, it will take longer to erase a larger hard drive. It will also take longer to use a more secure erase method.
For example, it may take about 30 minutes to erase a 500GB hard drive using the Quick Erase method. It may take about 2 hours to erase a 500GB hard drive using the Full Erase method. And it may take about 24 hours to erase a 500GB hard drive using the Gutmann Wipe method.
If you are concerned about the security of your data, you should use the Gutmann Wipe method. However, if you are in a hurry, you can use the Quick Erase method.
It is important to note that Disk Sanitizer is a powerful tool, and it should only be used if you are sure that you want to delete all of the data on the hard drive. Once the data is erased, it cannot be recovered.
iii. Secure erase and sanitize are both methods of erasing data from a hard drive. However, there are some key differences between the two methods.
Secure erase is a standard ATA command that can be used to erase data from a hard drive. It works by writing zeros to all of the sectors on the hard drive. This makes it very difficult to recover any data that was stored on the hard drive.
Sanitize is a more secure method of erasing data from a hard drive. It works by writing random data to all of the sectors on the hard drive. This makes it even more difficult to recover any data that was stored on the hard drive.
In general, sanitize is the preferred method of erasing data from a hard drive. However, secure erase may be sufficient if you are not concerned about the highest level of security.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between secure erase and sanitize:
| Feature | Secure Erase | Sanitize |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Writes zeros to all sectors | Writes random data to all sectors |
| Security | Less secure | More secure |
| Time | Faster | Slower |
Ultimately, the best method for erasing data from a hard drive depends on your specific needs. If you are concerned about the highest level of security, then sanitize is the preferred method. However, if you are not concerned about the highest level of security, then secure erase may be sufficient.