7 Best Free Data Destruction Software in 2024
This article acquaints you with the best hard drive destruction software to delete data permanently from your computer and make it irrecoverable to protect your privacy.
Do you think deleting files and removing them from the Recycle Bin wipes out all the information? If yes, we are sorry to burst your bubble, but the same does not happen. The data only gets removed for the operating system and it still remains available on your hard drive, unless new files overwrite the empty disk space or a data destruction software removes the data permanently.
The best data destruction software uses various sanitization methods to wipe out the deleted data from the hard drive permanently. However, if you are confused about which software you should use to remove hard drive data, this article is here to help.
This article lists the top 7 carefully curated hard drive destruction software to remove the deleted data from your hard drive. We selected these programs after thoroughly analyzing and comparing factors such as ease of use, effectiveness of data sanitization methods used in the software, available features, and more.
Let us list these cautiously selected free data destruction programs in the following section of this article.
Top 7 Data Destruction Software (Free) in 2024
Below are our top 7 picks for the best free data destruction software in 2024.
1. EaseUS BitWiper
Next, we have EaseUS BitWiper on our list of the best free data destruction software. It is a secure tool to wipe sensitive data from your Windows hard drive with features like simultaneous erasing of multiple disks or partitions, many algorithms to wipe the disk, and the below features.
Key features of EaseUS BitWiper
- Lets you wipe the computer’s OS drive via a bootable disk
- Shreds folders and files
- Wipes external drives such as memory sticks, USB flash drives, micro SD cards or TF cards, etc.
- Deletes data from C drive, or system partition without bootable CD
Also Read: Best Data Recovery Software for Mac
2. CBL Data Shredder
Firstly, let us introduce you to CBL Data Shredder. It is a well-known and one of the best hard drive destruction software for the highly effective data sanitization methods it uses (Gutmann, DoD 5220.22-M, RMCP DSX, VSITR, and Schneier methods of data sanitization), an option to create your own custom method to erase a hard drive and the following features.
Key features of CBL Data Shredder
- Deletes data from both internal and external storage
- Supports all operating systems
- Boasts a simple drag-and-drop operation to make data destruction easier
- Availability of many bootable options
3. KillDisk
Here comes KillDisk, the third-best data destruction software. It is a powerful program to erase multiple drives in a single go, support for 24 sanitation standards, supports low-level ATA secure erase for Solid State Drives (SSD), and the features shared below.
Key features of KillDisk
- Confirms erasing a drive
- Supports multiple operating systems
- Support for hard drives over 4 TB
- Allows free space wiping
- Boasts an installer and bootable variant
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4. Blancco Drive Eraser
Blancco Drive Eraser is the fourth-best free data destruction program. Some of the key benefits that brought it to this position include a patented solid-state drive (SSD) erasure, a digitally signed certificate of erasure, smooth simultaneous data erasure from multiple drives, and the following.
Key features of Blancco Drive Eraser
- Data wiping on HDD and SSD volumes
- BIOS data wiping
- Identification of false positives when erasing data
- Allows you to erase data on server machines
5. DBAN
Darik’s Boot And Nuke, commonly known as DBAN, is our fifth choice for the best hard drive destruction software. With this program, you can even erase your complete operating system. Moreover, it boasts features such as the ones shared below.
Key features of DBAN
- Uses top-notch data sanitization methods
- Easy-to-use menu interface
- Small installation file
- Burns to disc quickly
- Even the best free data recovery software cannot recover data from it
Also Read: Best Free Data Recovery Software For Windows 10/8/7
6. CCleaner
CCleaner is a well-known name in the computer cleaning software industry. In addition to making your PC junk-free, CCleaner helps you clean free disk space and completely remove all data from your hard drive. It boasts useful features such as support for both mechanical drives and SSDs and the following.
Key features of CCleaner
- Available in a portable format (needing no installation)
- Allows you to keep cookies you may not wish to remove
- Availability of a context menu with the Recycle Bin
- Regular automatic program updates
- Creates a backup file before making any changes
- Multiple disc wiping levels to select from
- You can check your computer’s health
7. Eraser
Let us conclude our list of the best data destruction software programs with Eraser. It is an advanced security tool for Windows to completely delete sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it multiple times with carefully selected patterns and offers a lot of beneficial features like scheduled data destruction, extremely effective data sanitization methods, and the following.
Key features of Eraser
- Lets you delete folders, files, and complete drives
- Ease of use and integration with File Explorer
- Erases data from mechanical drives and SSDs
Also Read: Best Data Recovery App And Software For Android
Summing Up the Best Free Data Destruction Software
This article brought to light the best data destruction programs available currently. You can review their features and choose the one you find the most useful in wiping out deleted data permanently.
If you think some other hard drive destruction software should also be a part of this list or have any questions about this article, please leave us a comment.
