The Windows tool Diskpart overwrites all data on the hard drive with a zero, which is considered a secure deletion method. This applies at least to classic hard drives, i.e. HDDs with magnetic discs.

Here’s what do you do with a computer when you’re ready for it to head to another owner or to the electronics recycler.

QUESTION: In a recent column, you wrote about cleaning off a hard drive with an "erase" program before getting rid of the computer. But I've been told that none of those programs really cleans up the ...