Below is a list of the best, completely free data destruction software programs that I have used. If you are planning to sell or recycle your computer, wiping the storage system (hard drives or SSDs) is the best way to prevent anyone from accessing your files using file recovery software tools. If your computer is infected with a virus, a complete wipe is the best way to ensure it is gone for good.

CBL Data Shredder comes in two forms: you can boot it from a disk or USB stick (like DBAN) or use it from within Windows as a normal program.

To wipe the hard drive that an operating system is running on, you need to boot from the program. However, the Windows version allows you to wipe any other internal or external drive.

Data cleansing methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, RMCP DSX, Schneier, VSITR