How to Wipe HDD/SSD from BIOS?
Why need to wipe a hard drive from BIOS?
You want to completely erase your 2 HDDs like they were brand new, which means formatting them and clearing their data, rather than just formatting them. You also want to clear your BIOS settings and reset them to their default values. To do this, you'll need to access the BIOS settings by entering your computer's BIOS menu. You can usually do this by pressing a specific key (like F2, F12, or Del) as your computer boots up. Once in the BIOS menu, look for options to reset the BIOS settings to their default values or to clear the data on your HDDs. You may also need to physically move a small pin on your motherboard to clear the BIOS settings. After completing these steps, your HDDs should be completely erased and your BIOS settings should be reset to their default values, making them like new again.
Many users want to wipe a hard drive, not just for a new Windows installation, but also to completely remove data for privacy reasons, give away the hard drive, or to troubleshoot and reinstall the operating system. Wiping a hard drive from BIOS is a simple and effective way to prepare the drive for a fresh start.
It is different between wiping HDD and wiping SSD
Wiping a hard drive removes all data, including the operating system, programs, and files. For a data hard drive without an operating system, formatting the partitions will suffice. However, for a system drive, wiping should be done from the BIOS, as it's not possible to format the drive while Windows is running.
You may use a solid-You can wipe a hard drive from BIOS, but if you have an SSD as your boot drive, you'll need to secure erase it separately to avoid reducing its lifespan. This article will guide you on how to do both.
How to wipe a hard drive from BIOS?
If you're unable to format a disk within Windows 11/10, you can use third-party software to create a bootable CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, boot from it, and then wipe the hard drive. Qiling Disk Master Standard is a recommended tool that allows you to wipe your hard drive from BIOS easily and for free.
- Before you do, you need to prepare for it:
- Free download Qiling Disk Master, install and launch it.
- Prepare a USB drive and use Qiling Disk Master to create a bootable USB.
- Before wiping your hard drive, make sure to back it up first as it will erase all data on it.
To wipe the hard drive, you should first disconnect it from the computer. Then, use a disk wiping software to completely erase all data on the drive.
▶ Wipe an HDD from BIOS
Step 1. To wipe a hard drive using Qiling Disk Master, start by booting your computer from the bootable USB you created. Once you're in the main interface, select the hard drive you want to erase and click on the "Wipe Hard Drive" option. This will initiate the wiping process.
Step 2. The wiping methods include erase times 1, which is sufficient for normal wiping. However, for more advanced options, upgrading to the Professional edition is required.
Step 3. After clicking the "Submit" button, you will be taken back to the main interface. From there, click the "Proceed" button to finalize the operations.
Important: Deleting the system drive will render the computer unbootable, so it's essential to be aware of this consequence before proceeding.
You've already successfully wiped a hard drive, but the same method can't be used for a solid-state drive (SSD) as it would cause damage to the SSD. To securely erase an SSD, you'll need to use a different approach, which is covered in the next content, specifically using Qiling Disk Master.
▶ Securely erase SSD
To securely erase an SSD, you need to upgrade to the Pro version of Qiling Disk Master, which can erase all data and restore it to factory settings, and also restore SSD performance. However, securely erasing an SSD from BIOS is not currently possible. Instead, you can plug the SSD into a Windows 7 computer and securely erase it without damaging it.
Step 1. Connect your SSD to your Windows 7 device and launch Qiling Disk Master Pro. If you have important data on the SSD, back it up first, as the Secure Erase SSD Wizard will delete and erase all data on the SSD. Click Secure Erase SSD Wizard at the left pane, and then click Next.
Step 2. 1. Select the SSD that need to be erased.
Step 3. The SSD will be in a frozen state, requiring a hot swap to resolve the issue.
How to perform Hot-swap:
- 1) Open your computer case. If it is a laptop, open the computer's rear cover or drive shell.
- 2) Located the SSD that needs to be securely erased.
- 3) Unplug the power cable from the SSD.
- 4) Disconnect the SATA data cable from the SSD.
- Reconnect the SATA cable to the SATA port on the SSD.
- After plugging the power cable back into the SSD's power connector, the setup process is complete and the SSD is now ready for use.
Step 4. After the secure erase process has finished, you can proceed with the steps to secure erase your SSD. Click Proceed and wait for the SSD to be erased successfully.
Summary
To wipe a hard drive from BIOS, follow these steps. Regardless of whether you're wiping an HDD or securely erasing an SSD, Qiling Disk Master is a reliable tool that can handle the job. However, it's more than just a wipe hard drive tool - it also offers features like data recovery, disk initialization, partition formatting, and deletion, making it a comprehensive solution for managing your hard drive or solid-state drive.
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