Does formatting a hard drive ease data permanently?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
kogo50

kogo50

Distinguished
Jul 14, 2009
80
0
18,630
Does formatting a hard drive ease data permanently? If it doesn't how does the drive not run out of space?
 
Solution
M
Hi
It depends on which Windows version (or other operating system) and options taken

Vista & later if Full Format box ticked should wipe contents of a partition by overwriting each sector

This can be done during re install while booting off DVD or USB containing Windows

If you want to be sure use DBAN boot CD or similar utility (single pass is enough)

[Windows XP does not over write during Full Format]


regards

Mike Barnes

Sort by date Sort by votes
E

EonW

Distinguished
Jul 24, 2013
353
0
18,960
No, it does not erase it, but the computer marks it as usable space, so that it can be overwritten by fresh data. That is why you can retrieve data unless it has been overwritten, and sometimes even then. To permanently erase it, you need a special 'scrub' program.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

mbarnes86

Splendid
Sep 16, 2010
3,839
7
26,965
Hi
It depends on which Windows version (or other operating system) and options taken

Vista & later if Full Format box ticked should wipe contents of a partition by overwriting each sector

This can be done during re install while booting off DVD or USB containing Windows

If you want to be sure use DBAN boot CD or similar utility (single pass is enough)

[Windows XP does not over write during Full Format]


regards

Mike Barnes

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom