Format zeros a drive?

[Trapper]

I've read from MSFT that from Vista onwards the full format command actually zeros the drive...

 

Anyone actually tested this? Seems easier than setting a PC aside for Boot'n'Nuke.

[rich_tech]

not sure, I have used dban and ive also used the Seagate/WD tools to do these things

[hawc]

Just run a full format with Windows 8.1 on the SD card that is being given away in the classifieds and no recovery tools have been able to crack it.

[Netsplit]

"Quick format" definitely does not zero a disk and all the data remains. Full format might but if I want to recycle a disk I use a military-grade multi-pass tool. Single pass just doesn't do a good enough job on personal data.

Sensitive data should always be be encrypted anyway in which case it renders wiping unnecessary.

However if speed is important, a 12mm drill will go right through the platters and circuit board in less than 20 seconds

[Arthur]

Full format might

Full format does.

 

Single pass just doesn't do a good enough job on personal data.

 

http://digital-forensics.sans.org/blog/2009/01/15/overwriting-hard-drive-data

 

* At least it does on HDDs

Edited March 14, 2014 by Arthur

[Netsplit]

Full format does.

 

 

 

http://digital-forensics.sans.org/blog/2009/01/15/overwriting-hard-drive-data

 

* At least it does on HDDs

 

No, one must account for software and hardware cache flushing, write completion, indirect connections such as USB and virtualisation drivers.

Assuming that sending a format command to a NAS or SAN, which both have their own independant RAID Operating Systems, just once will do is foolhardy in the extreme.

 

Secure disposal contractors actually literally shred disks through a mincer to save all the effort.