What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]
By A Mystery Man Writer
Last updated 17 Jul 2024
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/d3f76e461b38bcf70bd8437ca890658b07cf800b/2022/05/12/8949f287-d807-44ef-9a73-8bfd5e877395/gettyimages-1349012644-erasing-data169.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)
Got a tech question? Ed Bott and ZDNet
Aegis Padlock DT - USB 3.0 Desktop Drive FAQ
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/3a54f09799d065a2d226a8e01c1d80617c23cf0c/2017/05/02/c3ab5cac-8485-483f-b4ed-23cf223e9a5e/59089827e4b0608b81ac8603-1280x7201may022017195601poster.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=675&width=1200)
Hard drives: Safe ways to dump your data - Video
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/ce113c011e41cb6f75cdfd651b284f616fa4e9df/2023/10/17/e4c60a58-9445-4417-a2e7-7e2d7ae1f4a9/gettyimages-913017150.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=900&width=1200)
Beyond passwords: 4 key security steps you're probably forgetting
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/b0c5d1638bdd176828c2d27b4afd06d225d9c7dd/2022/06/14/b42dc7bb-3e2c-48ac-a32a-b623d38efaee/gettyimages-940308630-head-in-clouds.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)
How do I get OneDrive under control? [Ask ZDNet]
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/52b7cc836ae8bf4bcbfc912a36a9bdc011e2c7be/2022/04/06/03ab52af-8a35-45d8-bb03-c005085b70ee/macbook-touchscreen-1.jpg?fit=bounds&auto=webp)
ZDNET - Recent News & Activity
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/66ff1ba8a866a32c9093c301c32eea7cc3d3f3a7/2021/05/12/2ac0c902-8e15-4481-90c0-7d9f52182a1a/best-laptop-for-college-microsoft-surface-laptop-3.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=1200&width=1200)
Buying a used laptop: Where to find the best deals
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/articles/00BvogdyAqCYEMqpxVbTy8L-93..v1683647522.png)
How to Reset a Forgotten Password in Windows 10 or Windows 11
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/articles/01JvFRQzqzhMkcCSxSLnFly-48..v1680208117.png)
How to Wipe Your Hard Drive
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EZYjB67ZS8w/maxresdefault.jpg)
How To Wipe/Clean Your Drives for FREE
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FZJjYhDWQAEhe-x.jpg)
Northstar IT (@NorthstarIT) / X
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/d3f76e461b38bcf70bd8437ca890658b07cf800b/2022/05/12/8949f287-d807-44ef-9a73-8bfd5e877395/gettyimages-1349012644-erasing-data169.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)
What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/articles/02EqHP9mi40I2oSEfs5uohB-43.fit_lim.size_1050x.png)
Addicted to Your iPhone or iPad? How to Set Limits With Apple's
Shoaib Dhedhi posted on LinkedIn
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2020/09/harddrives-lowres-.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
How to Securely Wipe Your Computer, Phone, or Tablet
![What's the safest way to permanently erase your laptop's drive? [Ask ZDNet]](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/b7e0d57bc8197fc387dfd1af9178859dfad80a99/hub/2021/06/28/c2e82a9d-3170-4dce-bf5a-94b13aa6edf9/windows-11-update-on-laptop-cnet-july-2021-lifestyle.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=1200&width=1200)
Download the latest Windows ISO: How to create a Windows 11
Recommended for you
You may also like