How do I format a harddrive?

Format a harddrive and start with a clean slate? When you Format a harddrive it prepares the disk surface to accept and store data. It is important to format the harddrive before selling, donating, or returning a computer to an employer. Likewise, users can format a harddrive to remove viruses or errors and return a computer to its' "out of the box" settings.

Warning - A simple harddrive format will not permanently erase your data. Even after you format the harddrive, deleted files can be easily recovered. If you want to permanently format a harddrive by completely overwritting harddrive data, check out WipeDrive.

How to Format a HardDrive Quick Links:

How to Format a Harddrive: Windows XP How to Format a Harddrive: Windows 95, 98, & ME Wipe All Data Before Formatting

Reinstall Windows XP Reinstall Windows 95, 98, & ME Create a Startup Disk

WipeDrive: Wipe All Data Before Formatting the Hard Drive

Deleted files can be recovered even after a hard drive has been formatted!

A recent study of 129 old hard drives (many of them formatted) revealed more than 5,000 credit card numbers, medical correspondences, love letters, pornography, bank account information, and other confidential data. To protect yourself from identity theft, erase ALL data before formatting a harddrive.

Do you need to know:

• How to format a harddrive before selling or donating a computer.
  
  
• How to format a harddrive to erase personal data before returning a computer to an employer.
  
  
• How to format a harddrive to remove an operating system damaged by viruses or spyware.
  
  
• How to format a harddrive in compliance with government regulations (including HIPAA).
  
  

How to Format a Harddrive to DoD Specifications

Need advanced disk sanitization software to ensure maximum security? Format a harddrive to US Department of Defense specifications with WipeDrive. WipeDrive is one of only five DoD approved products using the DoD 5220.22-M standard for disk sanitation. This standard involves far more than an ordinary hard drive format and includes multiple overwrites with random characters.

Learn How to Format a Harddrive with WipeDrive

WipeDrive is an easy-to-use disk sanitizing tool that boots from a CD or floppy disk.

Wiping and formatting a harddrive is as easy as inserting the WipeDrive disk and restarting your system. WipeDrive will automatically load with prompts to help you securely wipe and format your harddrive to Department of Defense specifications.