How to delete deleted data on HDD?

Question

Iron

For example, I want to sell a computer and a hard drive with it.
Well, or for some other reason, as a result, an outsider will have a hard drive, with my consent.
How to protect yourself and clean up all the old data that was on the disk?
Moreover, Windows 7 is installed on the same hard disk on one of the partitions.
What utility should I use to clean up already deleted data so that they cannot be restored?
Naturally, in the end, the hard drive would remain operational, and, if possible, the partition with the OS was also working.

Answer 1

The easiest way that does not require utilities is to delete all partitions from the disk, if there are several, create one large partition.
And repeatedly write to this section any large file that you have (for example, the movie Avatar), until it is full.
Then remove and give to the buyer.

Answer 2

delete

Answer 3

ccleaner
multi-pass

Answer 4

The easiest way is to do a full format of the partition. Guaranteed to delete all data on the partition, not just file system entries, as is the case with a quick format.

Answer 5

Fill the entire hard drive with new unnecessary data

Answer 6

Why all this headache? There are a bunch of utilities that allow you to score its sectors with zeros. I recommend
the DMDE program - it can do it easily.

Answer 7

I see it this way: you have a computer with Windows installed, you want to sell it (together with Windows), you do not want the buyer to be able to recover data after you.
My solution is:
1. Since you are selling a computer to another person, it is logical that he needs a clean Windows.
2. We start from a boot disk with products, for example, Acronis (why not). It has built-in tools for overwriting data.
3. Then just roll a clean Windows. (If the buyer needs it).
4. ...
5. Profit!

Answer 8

If you want to save the installed and not removed software, then the easiest way is to fill in all the free space on all disks, and then erase it. What was removed before the clogging will not be restored, most likely, no one will.

Answer 9

Acronis DriveCleanser
Manual is a bit old but the algorithm is the same

Answer 10

Also, a very simple option (but also a long one) is to carry out a complete defragmentation, including empty space. File recovery becomes a very difficult or even impossible task for many "specialists", let alone beginners.