# What's a good (Free) disk scrubber? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 11, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201 "2012-01-11T20:00:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/1 "2012-01-11T20:00:39Z")
I’m going to donate an old system to some friends and I’m looking for a good free disk scrubber. I’ve seen several file shredders but I’m looking for something that will go through the free space on the disk and make sure everything that is supposed to be deleted is actually gone. Any ideas? Thanks Testy ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/2 "2012-01-11T20:08:57Z")
[Eraser](http://eraser.heidi.ie/)will do the job well, but you’ll need to install the old hard drive in another PC to use it. There’s also [DBAN](http://www.dban.org/), which can boot from a cd or thumb drive. Honestly though, unless the NSA is after you an ordinary reformat (but not a quick reformat) should be good enough. ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/3 "2012-01-11T20:15:42Z")
> [@lazybratsche](#): > > [Eraser](http://eraser.heidi.ie/)will do the job well, but you’ll need to install the old hard drive in another PC to use it. There’s also [DBAN](http://www.dban.org/), which can boot from a cd or thumb drive. Honestly though, unless the NSA is after you an ordinary reformat (but not a quick reformat) should be good enough. **Lazybratsche** Thanks for these. Strange that I have to remove the drive or boot from a thumb drive. I wonder why that is? I’d like to keep the OS and applications on the drive available for the new user so I don’t want to do anything too drastic. If the NSA wants to look at my old porn and some hopefully out of date business docs they are welcome.😃 All the best Testy ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/4 "2012-01-11T20:16:24Z")
I faced the same situation a few weeks ago, and I went with the assumption that nothing is completely effective at the job. My wife assaulted the drive with an electric drill. Then I beat on it with a 2 pound hammer. Your friends will get a free computer, and a new disk drive won’t cost them much. ---
**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/5 "2012-01-11T20:17:11Z")
> [@Testy](#): > > I’m going to donate an old system to some friends and I’m looking for a good free disk scrubber. I’ve seen several file shredders but I’m looking for something that will go through the free space on the disk and make sure everything that is supposed to be deleted is actually gone. > Any ideas? > > Thanks > > Testy I like CCleaner, it has a free space wipe function and you can fully clear out all of your browsers and temp files with it. When you are done I would use a free disk defragmenter like Auslogics Disk Defrag. This should further scramble your free space, along with optimizing the drive for future use. Depending on your hard drive size, it shouldn’t take more than a few hours to do both. ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/6 "2012-01-11T20:19:36Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > I faced the same situation a few weeks ago, and I went with the assumption that nothing is completely effective at the job. My wife assaulted the drive with an electric drill. Then I beat on it with a 2 pound hammer. > > Your friends will get a free computer, and a new disk drive won’t cost them much. **AskNott** Well, that would do the trick. I’d like the OS to stay in place though so I’d need a very steady hand with the hammer for that. Thanks Testy ---
**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/7 "2012-01-11T20:22:03Z")
> [@Testy](#): > > **AskNott** > > Well, that would do the trick. I’d like the OS to stay in place though so I’d need a very steady hand with the hammer for that. > > Thanks > > Testy CCleaner will run on your system. No need to replace the OS or remove the drive. Just go through the advanced options to make sure you are cleaning out everything you want gone. ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/8 "2012-01-11T20:25:01Z")
> [@Mgalindo13](#): > > I like CCleaner, it has a free space wipe function and you can fully clear out all of your browsers and temp files with it. When you are done I would use a free disk defragmenter like Auslogics Disk Defrag. This should further scramble your free space, along with optimizing the drive for future use. > > Depending on your hard drive size, it shouldn’t take more than a few hours to do both. **Mgalindo13** Thanks for this. It looks like it’ll do just what I’m looking for. Best regards Testy ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/9 "2012-01-11T20:27:02Z")
Ah, I assumed you wanted to completely wipe the drive, OS and all. Obviously, you can’t wipe the hard drive that your OS is running from. Eraser will also work for your purposes I believe. (For me, reformatting and reinstalling the hard drive is something of a spring cleaning ritual, and something I do whenever setting up a new or used computer for someone else.) ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/10 "2012-01-11T20:36:28Z")
> [@lazybratsche](#): > > Ah, I assumed you wanted to completely wipe the drive, OS and all. Obviously, you can’t wipe the hard drive that your OS is running from. Eraser will also work for your purposes I believe. > > (For me, reformatting and reinstalling the hard drive is something of a spring cleaning ritual, and something I do whenever setting up a new or used computer for someone else.) It’s probably a good idea at that. It might even stop what I’ve heard called “Windows Rot,” where a system starts out being quite fast and gradually slows by imperceptible increments until it is no longer acceptable. I’ve never been able to make up my mind as to whether this is a real phenomenon or just a matter of getting used to the machine and being impressed by the speed of the new one. Regards and thanks Testy ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/11 "2012-01-11T21:31:47Z")
> [@Testy](#): > > It’s probably a good idea at that. It might even stop what I’ve heard called “Windows Rot,” where a system starts out being quite fast and gradually slows by imperceptible increments until it is no longer acceptable. I’ve never been able to make up my mind as to whether this is a real phenomenon or just a matter of getting used to the machine and being impressed by the speed of the new one. My opinion is that “Windows Rot” definitely existed in XP, but is solved in Vista and Windows 7. Get a stopwatch and time how long it takes a copy of XP that has been installed for 2 weeks to shut down compared to a copy that has been installed 2 years-- the slowdown is obvious. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/12 "2012-01-11T21:45:02Z")
If you use CCleaner on a computer you’re selling. Be sure to change the cleaning option to Secure file deletion. Advanced Overwrite 3 passes. You’ll find this under options, settings. By default CCleaner does a quick delete and clean. That’s all you need for routine use. But prepping a pc to sell requires a more vigorous wipe. Also, go under Tools, Drive Wiper and do a free space wipe. Advanced Overwrite 3 passes ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/13 "2012-01-11T21:46:36Z")
> [@Blakeyrat](#): > > My opinion is that “Windows Rot” definitely existed in XP, but is solved in Vista and Windows 7. Get a stopwatch and time how long it takes a copy of XP that has been installed for 2 weeks to shut down compared to a copy that has been installed 2 years-- the slowdown is obvious. **Blakeyrat** Unfortunately I don’t have any XP systems running right this minute. I am using a Vista Home Premium system right now and it DOES seem to be gradually getting slower. Regards Testy ---
**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/14 "2012-01-11T21:48:07Z")
> [@Testy](#): > > It’s probably a good idea at that. It might even stop what I’ve heard called “Windows Rot,” where a system starts out being quite fast and gradually slows by imperceptible increments until it is no longer acceptable. I’ve never been able to make up my mind as to whether this is a real phenomenon or just a matter of getting used to the machine and being impressed by the speed of the new one. > > Regards and thanks > > Testy “Windows Rot” is typically caused by four main factors: 1. “Background” applications that eat up resources. Installing programs that run in the background will significantly contribute to the slowdown that you see. To combat this you want to remove any programs you no longer use and review your startup folder to ensure that you have as few programs as possible automatically running. One step further is to review your active processes in the task manager to see what is really running. 2. Disk fragmentation. As you fill up your hard drive it has to search for places to put files. It breaks them up into fragments in order to be able to fit them in the free space available. Then when you access the file later it has to put them back together again, this takes time. Ideally you want to maintain at least 20% free space in your drive and run a defragmenter once a month. 3. Running newer programs on old machines. If you are always installing the latest and greatest software your computer will seem much slower. This is because new software is designed to run on new hardware. If you have to have the top of the line software consider upgrading your RAM or processor to match the applications resource needs. 4. Malware. Things like viruses and spyware significantly slow your computer down to do their nasty business. Good anti-virus protection should keep your computer from suffering from this, but some viruses get by even the best of the best. If you’ve done everything else and can’t locate the source of the slowdown you can troubleshoot by reviewing active processes in your task manager. ---
**Author:** ![brocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/15 "2012-01-11T21:55:43Z")
> [@Testy](#): > > **AskNott** > Well, that would do the trick. I’d like the OS to stay in place though so I’d need a very steady hand with the hammer for that. > Testy If you leave the OS in place, you might as well not bother trying to wipe the disk. Anybody who is curious and knowledgeable enough to look at your free space can probably find all kinds of things in your page files, temp files, IE caches, etc. Just wipe the whole disk and let them reinstall the OS, or do it yourself for them if they don’t know how. ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/16 "2012-01-11T22:03:05Z")
> [@Mgalindo13](#): > > “Windows Rot” is typically caused by four main factors: > > 1. “Background” applications that eat up resources. Installing programs that run in the background will significantly contribute to the slowdown that you see. To combat this you want to remove any programs you no longer use and review your startup folder to ensure that you have as few programs as possible automatically running. One step further is to review your active processes in the task manager to see what is really running. > > 2. Disk fragmentation. As you fill up your hard drive it has to search for places to put files. It breaks them up into fragments in order to be able to fit them in the free space available. Then when you access the file later it has to put them back together again, this takes time. Ideally you want to maintain at least 20% free space in your drive and run a defragmenter once a month. > > 3. Running newer programs on old machines. If you are always installing the latest and greatest software your computer will seem much slower. This is because new software is designed to run on new hardware. If you have to have the top of the line software consider upgrading your RAM or processor to match the applications resource needs. > > 4. Malware. Things like viruses and spyware significantly slow your computer down to do their nasty business. Good anti-virus protection should keep your computer from suffering from this, but some viruses get by even the best of the best. If you’ve done everything else and can’t locate the source of the slowdown you can troubleshoot by reviewing active processes in your task manager. **Mgalindo13** Well, I might have an issue with things running in the background. I have a mortal hatred of things that do this and try to stomp them every time I find one. Unfortunately, I am not as conversant as I should be with the task manager and the registry so I am sure there are some of them running. As far as the other three potential issues go, I’m pretty good about that. I’d really rather use older (and hopefully less buggy) versions of the software I use and I do a disk compression every week so that probably isn’t it either. As far as malware goes, that’s something that I try to like hell to scan for and remove. MalwareBytes comes up clean and I have a good deal of faith in them. Windows security essentials also comes up clean. I’m running an i7 @ 2.67 GHz with 6 GB of memory. This isn’t anything super fast, but it does seem like it was faster in the past. Thanks Testy ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/17 "2012-01-11T22:05:32Z")
> [@brocks](#): > > If you leave the OS in place, you might as well not bother trying to wipe the disk. Anybody who is curious and knowledgeable enough to look at your free space can probably find all kinds of things in your page files, temp files, IE caches, etc. > > Just wipe the whole disk and let them reinstall the OS, or do it yourself for them if they don’t know how. **Brocks** Thank you. I’m running the CCleaner right now which should get rid of most of those things. In any event, I’m not really expecting a forensic exam, just didn’t want anything embarrassing to suddenly pop out at anyone. Thanks again Testy ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/18 "2012-01-11T22:09:21Z")
As I said earlier. Go under CCleaners Tools, and use driver wiper to clear free space. The Free space isn’t normally cleared in a regular CC run. This will defeat any normal person from finding anything on the drive. Obviously the CIA has better tools. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/19 "2012-01-11T22:11:09Z")
> [@Testy](#): > > **Mgalindo13** > > I do a disk compression every week so that probably isn’t it either. Be sure you’re doing defragmentation, not compression. Compression will actually make your computer slower. ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201/20 "2012-01-11T22:32:06Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > As I said earlier. Go under CCleaners Tools, and use driver wiper to clear free space. > > The Free space isn’t normally cleared in a regular CC run. This will defeat any normal person from finding anything on the drive. Obviously the CIA has better tools. 😉 **aceplace57** Yep, doing that now. I might kill it and then let it run overnight though, quite a lengthy process. Best regards Testy [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-free-disk-scrubber/609201.md?page=2)