Solved Secure erase ssd drive


JAK

Active member
Member
Local time
4:17 AM
Posts
184
OS
Windows 11
Want to secure erase an SSD before sale

Terms secure erase, format & wipe are mentioned in my research, but some class format as erase, which I don't think is correct.

Would it be the same to secure erase a conventional hard drive

Is there a free way to secure erase an SSD, with no possibility of recovering any data

Thank you
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Ryzen 78+16 total 24GB
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Asus
CPU
Ryzen 7
Memory
8+16 total 24GB
Other Info
Asus Vivobook 15 M513U
Want to secure erase an SSD before sale

Terms secure erase, format & wipe are mentioned in my research, but some class format as erase, which I don't think is correct.

Would it be the same to secure erase a conventional hard drive

Is there a free way to secure erase an SSD, with no possibility of recovering any data

Thank you
It would not be the same as securely wiping an HDD. Because of the way SSDs store data, a generic utility that overwrites the drive can miss some.

By courtesy of our friends at Google:

 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 26300.9278Amd Threadripper 7970X128GB (4 X 32) G.Skill DDR5 6400 (RDIMM)Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    OS
    Windows 11 26300.9278
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D Rev. 1.0
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) G.Skill DDR5 6400 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Innocn 32" OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    BeQuiet! Straight Power 12 1500W
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    SilverStone Technology XE360-TR5, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Cherry KC 500 MX LP (mechanical)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    2000/250 Mbps (down/up)
    Other Info
    xFinity gateway
  • At a glance

    windows 11 26300.9278Intel I9-13900K64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Operating System
    windows 11 26300.9278
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 27" OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Cherry Streaming (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
Is there a free way to secure erase an SSD, with no possibility of recovering any data
If you read the article quoted by @bobkn, one of the methods suggested is that you boot to your device's BIOS, and there may a feature there to do it from there.

I've checked on my machine, and the feature is in my BIOS.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (Build 26300.9278)Intel Core Ultra 9 285 5.6 GHz32.00 GBIntel Integrated Graphics (128 MB)
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (Build 26300.9278)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell Pro Max Tower T2 FCT2250
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 9 285 5.6 GHz
Motherboard
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Memory
32.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Integrated Graphics (128 MB)
Sound Card
Realtek Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell P2714H Monitor
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
1 x 512GB M.2 XG10d SED KIOXIA PCIe solid state drive (Internal)
1 x 2TB Seagate ST2000DM008-2UB102 HDD (Internal)
1 x 4TB Seagate STGX4000400 External HDD
1 x 6TB WD Elements AE 2689 External HDD
PSU
500 Watts
Cooling
Air
Keyboard
Microsoft Wired Keyboard 600
Mouse
Microsoft USB Basic Optical Mouse v2.0
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Windows Defender + Malwarebytes Premium
Other Info
BaseBoard Manufacturer Dell Inc.
BaseBoard Product 022RY57
BaseBoard Version A01
  • Like
Reactions: JAK
Found macrorit, could this be my answer
Thanks
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Ryzen 78+16 total 24GB
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Asus
CPU
Ryzen 7
Memory
8+16 total 24GB
Other Info
Asus Vivobook 15 M513U
The firmware (UEFI/BIOS) suggestion is a good one. Also check with the manufacturer. Most of the bigger companies offer free secure erase utilities.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2
OS
Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2
  • Like
Reactions: JAK

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz16 GB Total: Manufacturer : Samsung MemoryTyp...NVIDIA Quadro K3100M; Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
OS
Windows 10
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz
Motherboard
Product : 190A Version : KBC Version 94.56
Memory
16 GB Total: Manufacturer : Samsung MemoryType : DDR3 FormFactor : SODIMM Capacity : 8GB Speed : 1600
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA Quadro K3100M; Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
Sound Card
IDT High Definition Audio CODEC; PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_76E0
Hard Drives
Model Hitachi HTS727575A9E364
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender
Other Info
Mobile Workstation
  • Like
Reactions: JAK
Thank you 👍
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Ryzen 78+16 total 24GB
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Asus
CPU
Ryzen 7
Memory
8+16 total 24GB
Other Info
Asus Vivobook 15 M513U
Both my current motherboard and my previous one (ASROCK B450/mc) have an option in the UEFI to Secure Erase my SSD or NVME drive.

There is also a good Linux ISO I have used many times called Parted Magic (purchase required - no free version) that includes Partition editing, Cloning, Data Rescue, Disk Erasing (including Secure Erase for SSD/NVME), and Benchmarking.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.9168)AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D32gb Team Group (T-Force) DDR5-6000Zotac nVidia GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER - 12gb
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.9168)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Pre-built
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard
MSI Pro B650-VC WiFi
Memory
32gb Team Group (T-Force) DDR5-6000
Graphics Card(s)
Zotac nVidia GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER - 12gb
Sound Card
Sound BlasterX G6
Monitor(s) Displays
Koorui G2421V and ViewSonic VX2453
Screen Resolution
P:2560x1440 S:1920x1080
Hard Drives
WD Blue SN5000 - 500gb NVME
WD Blue SN580 - 2TB NVME
Seagate 4TB HDD - ST4000VN008-2DR166
Keyboard
Mountain Everest
Mouse
Logitech G502 Hero
Internet Speed
T-Mobile Home Internet
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
QNAP TS-469 Pro NAS
TP-Link W7200 (2 unit mesh network)
Elgato Streamdeck
  • Like
Reactions: JAK
Don't want to erase my boot SSD, so will try macrorit, looks very powerful and free

Thanks
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Ryzen 78+16 total 24GB
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Asus
CPU
Ryzen 7
Memory
8+16 total 24GB
Other Info
Asus Vivobook 15 M513U
I'd be nice if there were a tutorial here on SSD erasure. Brink could show everybody some options.

Just a thought...
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build: (26200.7623)32GB
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build: (26200.7623)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro
    Memory
    32GB
  • At a glance

    Microsoft 25H2 ProIntel Core Ultra 764GBIntel Integrated Graphics
    Operating System
    Microsoft 25H2 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Pro 14 - PC14250
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Integrated Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Micron 1TB SSD
  • Like
Reactions: JAK
What an excellent idea, be good if he could evaluate the app I found
👌
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Ryzen 78+16 total 24GB
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Asus
CPU
Ryzen 7
Memory
8+16 total 24GB
Other Info
Asus Vivobook 15 M513U
I am selling my old HP laptop. I've already done the HP Factory Reset and installed Windows 11. The laptop has a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD drive and also a 1 TB 7200 rpm SATA HDD. Is there one tool I can use to wipe the free space and remove any trace of my personal files? Would CCLeaner work for both? Anyone have experience using it?
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Home, Ver 24H2, Build 26100.4946Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10300H CPU @ 2.50GHz (2....16 GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with Max-Q Design
    OS
    Windows 11 Home, Ver 24H2, Build 26100.4946
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15-dk1082nr
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10300H CPU @ 2.50GHz (2.50 GHz)
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with Max-Q Design
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch diagonal FHD, 144 Hz, IPS, anti-glare, micro-edge, WLED-backlit
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Full-size, island-style, acid green backlit, shadow black keyboard with numeric keypad
    Internet Speed
    571.84 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, DuckDuckGo, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Home, Ver 24H2, Build 26100.4946Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor 255HX (30MB ca...16GB, 2x8GB, DDR5, 5600 MT/sNVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060, 8 GB GDDR7
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Home, Ver 24H2, Build 26100.4946
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware 16X Aurora AC16251
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor 255HX (30MB cache, 20 cores, 1.8 to 5.2 GHz P-Core)
    Memory
    16GB, 2x8GB, DDR5, 5600 MT/s
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060, 8 GB GDDR7
    Sound Card
    Stereo speakers, Realtek AL3204 Audio Controller, 2 W x 2 = 4 W total
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16", WQXGA, 240Hz, 100% DCI-P3, ComfortView Plus, G-SYNC
    Hard Drives
    NVMe P0527 Phison 1024GB
    Keyboard
    1-Zone AlienFX RGB Keyboard, English US and external wireless Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    571.84 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, DuckDuckGo, and Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
Wipe free space is typically performed a reinstallation.

One option may be to make a free backup image (not a clone) then perform a secure erase then restore an image.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz16 GB Total: Manufacturer : Samsung MemoryTyp...NVIDIA Quadro K3100M; Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
OS
Windows 10
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz
Motherboard
Product : 190A Version : KBC Version 94.56
Memory
16 GB Total: Manufacturer : Samsung MemoryType : DDR3 FormFactor : SODIMM Capacity : 8GB Speed : 1600
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA Quadro K3100M; Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
Sound Card
IDT High Definition Audio CODEC; PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_76E0
Hard Drives
Model Hitachi HTS727575A9E364
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender
Other Info
Mobile Workstation
Wipe free space is typically performed a reinstallation.

One option may be to make a free backup image (not a clone) then perform a secure erase then restore an image.
Thank you!
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Home, Ver 24H2, Build 26100.4946Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10300H CPU @ 2.50GHz (2....16 GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with Max-Q Design
    OS
    Windows 11 Home, Ver 24H2, Build 26100.4946
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15-dk1082nr
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10300H CPU @ 2.50GHz (2.50 GHz)
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with Max-Q Design
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch diagonal FHD, 144 Hz, IPS, anti-glare, micro-edge, WLED-backlit
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Full-size, island-style, acid green backlit, shadow black keyboard with numeric keypad
    Internet Speed
    571.84 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, DuckDuckGo, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Home, Ver 24H2, Build 26100.4946Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor 255HX (30MB ca...16GB, 2x8GB, DDR5, 5600 MT/sNVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060, 8 GB GDDR7
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Home, Ver 24H2, Build 26100.4946
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware 16X Aurora AC16251
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor 255HX (30MB cache, 20 cores, 1.8 to 5.2 GHz P-Core)
    Memory
    16GB, 2x8GB, DDR5, 5600 MT/s
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060, 8 GB GDDR7
    Sound Card
    Stereo speakers, Realtek AL3204 Audio Controller, 2 W x 2 = 4 W total
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16", WQXGA, 240Hz, 100% DCI-P3, ComfortView Plus, G-SYNC
    Hard Drives
    NVMe P0527 Phison 1024GB
    Keyboard
    1-Zone AlienFX RGB Keyboard, English US and external wireless Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    571.84 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, DuckDuckGo, and Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
  • Like
Reactions: JAK
Back
Top Bottom