How To Safely and Securely Erase Hard Drives, Laptops and Smartphones

  • By Emmett
  • Published: May 09, 2022
  • Last Updated: May 24, 2022

Wipe computer

In an experiment to test the security of obsolete electronic devices, “Which? Computing Magazine” purchased 8 used computers off of eBay to see what residual data they could find. Though the previous owners had attempted to delete the data on these devices, the magazine was able to recover 22,000 files in total, some containing sensitive information like:

  • Saved passwords
  • Data in the recycling folder
  • Tax documents
  • Personal identification files

Unfortunately, this same process is conducted by thousands of criminals every day who collect the stolen data and sell it on the black market. 

So the question is, how do you really wipe a pc, hard drive, smartphone, or laptop? While it's not as easy as dragging the files to the recycling bin, there are several simple steps you can follow to erase all data from any device. First, let’s look at how to clear your information from one of the more commonly owned devices, a personal computer. 

How to Completely Wipe a Personal Computer (PC)

Step #1: Copy or Backup All Useful Files

The first step before you erase all the data on your computer is to backup all the files you do not want to lose. This includes: 

  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Important documents
  • Unfinished projects
  • Powerpoint presentations
  • Digital art

Any documents or media you need to use or want to save have to be copied or backed up before you begin the wiping process. If you do not, there will be no way to recover them later. 

Step #2: Log Out of All Accounts and Determine OS

Though it may seem unnecessary, it's always best to log out of any accounts that could be automatically signed into by opening a web browser. If the wipe fails for any reason, criminals can use your auto sign-in settings to access these accounts with ease. You’ll also want to determine what OS, or operating system, your computer uses. This will help you determine which set of instructions to follow to complete the wipe.

Step #3: Erase All Data and Reset Your Computer

Once you’ve determined what OS you have, you’ll need to follow the instructions for that particular type of operating system. Here are the instructions for two of the most popular operating systems, Windows and Mac

How to Wipe a Windows Computer

If your computer is running Windows 10, follow these steps.

  1. Select “Update & Security” from your computer’s settings.
    Erase Hard Drive
  2. Under the “Recovery” section, click the “Get Started” option.
    Tips for PC wiping
  3. Click “Remove Everything.”
    Secure tips to erase computer

If your computer is running Windows 11, follow these steps.

  1. Select “Windows Update” from your computer’s settings.
  2. Select “Advanced Options” and find the “Recovery” tab.
  3. Click the “Reset PC” option, then select “Remove Everything.”

How to Wipe a Mac

  1. If your computer is off, turn it on. As you turn it on, press and hold the “Command” and R keys until you see the Apple logo. Once you do, release the keys.
  2. You should now see a special recovery menu. Click the “Disk Utility” option from this menu.
    How to wipe Mac
  3. Choose the storage drive you wish to delete and click the “Erase” button. There is no need to change the format or scheme options.
    Best practices for erasing data from Mac
  4. From here, click the “Security Options” tab. If the drive you want to erase is encrypted, leave these options default. If it is mechanical, move the security settings up to “3-pass secure erase.” 

Computer Wipe Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • How Do I Wipe a Hard Drive?

    The process to erase a hard drive installed on your computer is the same as it is for erasing the data of your entire PC. If you have an external drive, you can wipe it by writing the data over with a utility program. These programs are designed to automatically write over the data present on the drive so it can be sold or filled up with new data. Check to see what type of drive you have and what sort of programs would work best. 

  • How Do I Wipe My Smartphone?

    To wipe a smartphone, first determine what OS your device is running. Two popular smartphone OS’s are Android and iOS.

How to Wipe an Android

  1. Open Device Settings.
  2. Select “System.” 
  3. Open the “Reset” options. 
  4. Select “Erase All Data” and follow the directions on-screen.
    Personal data protection on AndroidSecure Personal Information on AndroidErase all personal data from Android

How to Wipe an iOS

  1. Open Device Settings.
  2. Click the “General” button.
  3. Select “Transfer or Reset.”
  4. Select “Erase All Content and Settings”. You’ll be prompted to enter your passcode.
  5. Select “Erase.”
    Data wiping from IOSIphone data protection
  • How Do I Erase Everything on a Laptop?

    There is no difference between the procedure to erase a PC as there is a laptop. First, save all files you don’t wish to lose, then determine your operating system. Once you have, follow the instructions above to make sure your device is securely wiped of all data. 

  • How Do I Clear Personal Information From My Computer to Sell It?

    First, follow these steps:

    1. Backup all useful data.
    2. Log out of accounts and determine OS.
    3. Navigate your computer’s settings to find the reset or remove options.
    4. Remove all data and shut down your device. 

    Once you’ve double checked all your data is removed, you are free to sell your device. You can do this through a second-hand store, pawnshop, online marketplace, or through a private sale. 

  • Can I Wipe a Computer If I Don’t Have the Password?

    Depending on your operating system, yes, you can wipe the computer if you have forgotten or lost your password. For a computer running Windows, you need to put it into recovery mode by following these steps. 

    1. Turn off your computer and turn it back on.
    2. While your computer is booting up, turn the power off.
    3. Repeat this three times so the computer registers three failed reboot attempts.
    4. Your computer will now go into recovery mode. From this menu, select the reset option.
About the Author
IDStrong Logo

Related Articles

How To Make Your IG Account Private

There are occasions when it makes more sense to have a private Instagram (IG) account. You might w ... Read More

Windows 10 Privacy Settings You Should Change Now

Privacy is a buzzword we hear a lot these days in the wake of data breaches, Wikileaks, and other ... Read More

How to Delete Your Facebook Account

It might seem absurd to some people who live on Facebook, deleting your Facebook account. But, man ... Read More

How to Change Network From Public to Private On Windows

Privacy has become a major concern for many of us after reading about all the data breaches, hacki ... Read More

Twitter Security and Privacy Settings Made Simple

With data breaches and ransomware intrusions in the news daily, privacy is the word on everyone’ ... Read More

Latest Articles

Avoiding Scams During the 2024 Paris Olympics

Avoiding Scams During the 2024 Paris Olympics

Breakdancing is coming to the world stage while French citizens stage a creative protest with the hashtag "JeChieDansLaSeineLe23Juin.

What is a Brute Force Attack in Cybersecurity and How to Prevent it

What is a Brute Force Attack in Cybersecurity and How to Prevent it

In the world today, there is a plethora of critical data circulating the internet, leading to complex attacks like brute force attacks.

Watering Hole Attacks: What They Are and How to Prevent Them

Watering Hole Attacks: What They Are and How to Prevent Them

Hackers often lurk around the most popular websites, looking for ways to exploit users. These sites include ticket purchasing, travel, e-commerce, and banking.

Featured Articles

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

Buying your own home is the American Dream, but it might seem out of reach to those with bad credit. However, the good news is, if your credit is less than perfect, you do still have options and in most cases, can still buy a home.

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

Any good IT article on computers and network security will address the importance of strong, secure passwords. However, the challenge of good passwords is that most people have a hard time remembering them, so they use simple or obvious ones that pose a security risk.

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Senior scams are becoming a major epidemic for two reasons. First, seniors often have a lot of money in the bank from a life of working hard and saving.

Notice

By proceeding with this scan, you agree to let IDStrong run a Free Scan of supplied parameters of your personal information and provide free preliminary findings in compliance with our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice. You consent to us using your provided information to complete the Free Scan and compare it against our records and breach databases or sources to provide your Free preliminary findings report.

Rest assured: IDStrong will not share your information with third parties or store your information beyond what is required to perform your scan and share your results.

Free Identity Threat Scan
Instantly Check if Your Personal Information is Exposed
All fields below are required
Please enter first name
Please enter last name
Please enter a city
Please select a state
Please enter an age
Please enter an email address
Close