Because this program runs before the operating system is loaded, it can erase not only any operating system but even the one that you’re primarily using, like whatever you have running on the C: drive.
More About HDDErase
HDDErase is a text-only program, which means there aren’t any buttons or menus that you can use to work with it. To get started, select Download Freeware Secure Erase Utility on the download page to get hdd-erase-web.zip. The easiest way to use it is from the bootable ISO image included with the download, called HDDErase.iso. You can also create any boot media you want (floppy, disc, flash drive, etc.) and copy the HDDERASE.EXE file to it. The included text file, HDDEraseReadMe.txt, has some information on how to create the boot disk. You can also read our guide on How to Burn an ISO Image File if you need a little more help with that part of the process. The only data sanitization method HDDErase supports is Secure Erase, but this is arguably the very best one available.
How to Use HDDErase
Once you’re booted to the program on whatever device you have it installed to, you can most likely just sit a while for it to fully load and let the default options be accepted. This is what the screen will look like if you’re starting HDDErase from a disc:
HDDErase Pros and Cons
There’s not much to dislike about this tool, besides the fact that it’s not used like your typical “double-click to open” program: Enter HDDERASE. If that doesn’t work, try to append the EXE file extension to the end by entering HDDERASE.EXE.
Thoughts on HDDErase
Even though this tool doesn’t run from an operating system like a regular program, it’s still actually very easy to use. As you read above, only one key needs to be entered a few times to start deleting a hard drive. We also like that the downloaded files are very small. At around just 1–3 MB, you get all the files necessary to run the software.
HDDErase Alternatives
If you like the simple interface of HDDErase but would like more choices for a data sanitization method, DBAN or CBL Data Shredder would be a better fit, since they both support several more than HDDErase.
