Wipe all contents of a drive

Screen 3: Options

Overview of Wipe All Contents of a Drive wizard

On this screen, you can configure options for the wiping process.

Delete drive letter after wiping a drive

The Delete drive letter after wiping a drive check box controls whether or not the drive letter continues to display in Windows after wiping.

Select the check box to remove the drive letter after wiping.
Clear the check box to continue to display the drive letter after wiping.

Note: Even though the drive letter will display, the drive will not be accessible until the drive is formatted.

Choose a pattern technique

Patterns of characters are used to overwrite data. Choose one of the following two pattern techniques:

Use DOD 5220.22-M compliant technique (recommended)

Select this option to generate a pattern that is compliant with the U.S. Department of Defense's standards for erasing data. This method uses an alternating cycle of random characters and uses seven overwrite passes.

Use custom wiping method

Select this option to change the number of overwrites and the pattern used for overwrites. Once selected, the following additional fields will display.

Number of overwrite passes. Specify the number of times DriveScrubber overwrites the data. You can enter from 1 to 100. A higher number of overwrite passes increases security, but takes more time to complete. Help me choose.
- One (1) overwrite pass will generally prevent recovery using software-based programs, such as undelete utilities and hex, drive, and sector editors.
- Seven (7) overwrite passes will generally prevent recovery using hardware-based recovery methods. This is the standard used by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD 5220.22) and other government agencies.

Patterns of characters are used to overwrite data. Choose one of the following two pattern techniques:

Use a randomly generated pattern. This option uses an alternating cycle of random characters.
Use a custom pattern. To designate your own pattern, select this option and type the characters in the field.

When you are finished making your selections, click Next. The Confirm Selection screen will display.

Clicking Next will not wipe your drive. The wiping process does not begin until after you provide confirmation on the next screen, Confirm Selection.