Comprehensive Guide- How to Wipe Your Computer Clean and Delete Everything Permanently_4
How do you delete everything on your computer? Whether you’re looking to clear out space, start fresh, or simply remove sensitive data, there are several methods you can use to erase all the contents of your computer. In this article, we’ll explore the different ways to delete everything on your computer, ensuring that you can choose the method that best suits your needs.
One of the simplest ways to delete everything on your computer is by using the built-in Windows or macOS disk cleanup tools. These tools allow you to remove unnecessary files, temporary files, and other system files that take up space on your hard drive. To use this method, follow these steps:
1.
On Windows, open the “File Explorer” and right-click on the drive you want to clean. Select “Properties,” then go to the “General” tab and click on “Disk Cleanup.” On macOS, open the “Finder,” right-click on the drive, and select “Get Info.” Click on the “Manage” button next to “Optimize Storage,” then select “Disk Cleanup.”
2.
Select the checkboxes next to the types of files you want to delete, such as temporary files, system files, and cache files. Click “OK” to confirm the deletion.
3.
Wait for the process to complete. Once finished, you’ll have successfully deleted unnecessary files from your computer.
For a more thorough cleaning, you can use the “Reset this PC” feature on Windows or the “Reinstall macOS” option on macOS. These features will erase all your files, settings, and applications, and restore your computer to its factory settings.
1.
On Windows, search for “Reset this PC” in the Start menu and select the “Reset this PC” option. Choose whether you want to keep your files or remove everything, then follow the on-screen instructions.
2.
On macOS, go to the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.” Click on “Software Update” and then “Reinstall macOS.” Follow the prompts to erase your computer and reinstall the operating system.
For those who want to ensure that their data is completely unrecoverable, you can use a third-party data erasure tool. These tools overwrite your hard drive with random data, making it nearly impossible to recover any deleted files. Some popular data erasure tools include DBan, Eraser, and Secure Eraser.
1.
Download and install a data erasure tool of your choice.
2.
Open the tool and select the drive you want to erase. Choose the “DoD 5220.22-M” or “NIST 800-88” erasure method for maximum security.
3.
Start the erasure process and wait for it to complete. Once finished, your computer’s hard drive will be completely wiped clean.
In conclusion, there are several methods to delete everything on your computer, from simple disk cleanup tools to complete system resets and data erasure software. Choose the method that best fits your needs and ensure that your computer is clean and secure.
