Disk Wipe

What Disk Wipe is

Disk Wipe is a portable Windows application that overwrites data on disk volumes to help prevent recovery after deletion or formatting. It does not require installation and offers several shredding algorithms, including DoD 5220-22.M, US Army and Peter Guttman methods. The listed supported file systems are NTFS, FAT and FAT32. It can wipe USB sticks, SD cards and other accessible removable storage when formatted with a supported file system. The program works on partitions, which must be handled one at a time; it cannot wipe the Windows partition currently running the application. The site says the application does not connect to a remote server or send information over the internet, and the maker says it contains no adware, spyware or other malware. It is free for personal or commercial use, with no restrictions. The download page lists version 1.7 at 1.05 MB and names Windows XP and Windows Vista as operating systems. Wiping may take a long time depending on the hardware and selected method.

Who it suits

Disk Wipe suits Windows users who need to overwrite data on partitions or accessible removable storage formatted with a supported file system. It may fit personal or commercial use, as its freeware plan has no restrictions.

Limits

Disk Wipe works on one partition at a time and cannot wipe the Windows partition that is currently running it. The guide says the process can take a long time depending on hardware and the chosen method.

Getting started

1. Visit https://www.diskwipe.org/
2. Download the application for Windows
3. Run it without installing it
4. Choose a supported partition or removable storage device
5. Select a wipe method and start the wipe

Verdict

Disk Wipe offers a portable, free way to overwrite supported partitions and removable storage. Its partition-by-partition scope and inability to wipe the active Windows partition are important limits.