How to Permanently Erase Data on Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019/2022?

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Anna

updated on April 15, 2023 to Data Erasure

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If you ever wondered how to permanently erase data on Windows Server (2003/2008/2008R2/2012/2016/2019/2022), you'll find the answer on this article. When there's an important database that no longer needed, erasing the data permanently is the best solution for you.

permanently erase data from Windows Server

But first, you have to know that although you're running Windows on your server, everything is almost the same as running Windows on your computer. That being said, erasing data permanently from Windows Server could be done using the same software which is the most reliable data erasure software to permanently erase data on Windows computer.

Please note that whether you delete your files or format the Windows Server hard drive, the data is still can be recovered by data recovery software. For the safety of your business, you should make sure the data is permanently erased in some special cases, before selling your hard drive, for example.

Reliable Windows Server Data Erasure Software

The mentioned data erasure software for Windows Server in this article is AweEraser. It is a famous data erasure program which offers government & military data erasure standards, like HMG Infosec Standard 5 (1 pass), German FOFIS (2 passes), DOD 5220.22-M (3 passes), U.S. Army AR380-19 (7 passes), Peter Gutmann's algorithm (35 passes). It can help you easily, securely, and permanently erase data on Windows Server, beyond the scope of data recovery. Download it:

AweEraser is a 100% safe data erasure program and it is pretty simple to use. You only download and install it on your Windows Server and then run it to securely erase files or wipe hard drive. It supports to erase data from HDD, SSD, memory card, digital camera, RAID, SD card, etc. Check the advantages:

  • 100% erase the target data beyond the scope of data recovery.
  • Certified data erasure standards.
  • Supports to wipe all file formats.
  • Erase data from various hard drives and external storage devices.
  • Flexible data erasure options.
  • Very easy-to-use.
  • Supports wipe data on the latest Windows Server 2022.

Three Options to Permanently Erase Data on Windows Server

After installing AweEraser on Windows Server, just open it. You will see three data erasure options: Erase Files, Erase Hard Drive, and Erase Free Space. The three flexible data erasure solutions can help you permanently erase targeted data under different situations.

Option 1: Permanently erase files and folders on Windows Server

This mode – "Erase Files" can help you selectively and permanently erase files/folders from Windows Server. You just need to select the files and folders, and click on "Erase Now" button. Then, the selected files and folders will be permanently erased.

permanently erase data from Windows Server

Option 2: Erase hard drive on Windows Server.

"Erase Hard Drive" option can help you erase an entire hard drive on Windows Server. Once the hard drive is erased by this option, all the data on the hard drive will be permanently erased. Just select the targeted hard drive and click on "Erase Now" button. It is easy!

permanently erase data from Windows Server

Option 3: erase free disk space on Windows Server.

If you only want to permanently erase the already deleted/lost data on Windows Server, this option can help you. It will erase the free disk space of the hard drive and permanently erase deleted/lost data on the hard drive.

permanently erase data from Windows Server

As you've known, the erased data can't be recovered by any method, just back important files to other hard drive before you erase the Windows Server. AweEraser offers full erasure reports, you can check what you have just erased from the Windows Server. And, this is 100% safe data erasure software. It will not affect the service life of the Windows Server and will never cause any damage to the hard drive.

FAQs About Windows Server Data Erasure:

No, the deleted or formatted data is not lost forever and can be recovered by data recovery software. If you are going to sell or donate your hard drive, you’d better find a data erasure solution to permanently wipe your sensitive data off.

Wiping a hard drive does not mean to format a hard drive. If you want to wipe a hard drive clean and make sure the erased data is gone forever, just try AweEraser.

  1. Download and install AweEraser on your Windows Server.
  2. Open AweEraser, choose data erasure mode - Erase Hard Drive.
  3. Select the hard drive and click on Erase Now button.
  4. It will securely and permanently wipe all data from the selected hard drive.

Yes, once the data has been erased by AweEraser, the data is gone forever, can’t be recovered by any data recovery method.

The Erase Free Space mode can help you wipe free disk space of Windows Server’s hard drive and permanently erase the deleted/lost data on the hard drive.

Yes, you can download AweEraser for Mac to help you securely wipe a hard drive on Mac Server or any Mac-based hard drive.

Final Words:

In special cases, we need to permanently shred files or wipe hard drive on Windows Server. There are many data erasure programs can help in wiping data on a Windows Server hard drive. Before you sell or donate your Windows Server hard drive, you can download a data erasure program and help you wipe the sensitive data. AweEraser is a powerful data erasure program, it is a reliable tool for data erasure on Windows Server.