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From Heidi Computers:
Eraser is an advanced security tool for Windows that allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns. The patterns used for overwriting are based on Peter Guttmann's paper Secure Deletion of Data from Magnetic and Solid-State Memory and are selected to effectively remove magnetic remnants from the hard drive.
Other methods include the one defined in the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual of the U.S. Department of Defense, and overwriting with pseudorandom data. You can also define your own overwriting methods.
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All versions:
3.6 starsout of 311 votes
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Current version:
2.0 starsout of 12 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Yikes don't do it!"
Version: Eraser 6.0.10.2620
Pros
huh? don't see any
Cons
tried to install but it stopped after the microsoft .net bit, or rather it disapeared so I thought the install failed as there was no interface and I could find no .exe for it. I restarted the computer and it had deleted my user account. I had just made a new admin so I could delete my old one (selling the computer)but I was going to run eraser on it first. It erases all right, jesus. I still don't see the program on the computer, so beware this could be real trouble.
Summary
If you want to risk losing your user account go for it.
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"Not sure about the new version"
Version: Eraser 6.0.10.2620
Pros
I use ver 5.6. I was going to try the new one but saw poor reviews so stayed with the old version but it works great.
Cons
none on the old version
Summary
my past experience with this software was great.
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"Beware of the negative reviews"
Version: Eraser 6.0.10.2620
Pros
This version works great on two Win7 Home Premium (one each 32 & 64 bit) machines. I updated to the latest version (this one) in May 2012 when it became available. I didn't have difficulty setting up automation, but a basic user might. Erases everything (see Cons) including stuff in \\C:\Users\*User*\AppData.
Reviewer ganerd stated,
<<Finally got it to work ... but it is useless except for NEW files needing erasing. Does nothing to erase clear space where files used to be stored.>>
Please tell us how you know that the clear space was not erased and what steps you took to try to erase the free space on your disk.
I have NOT seen viruses, malware, or spyware associated with this software.
It my understanding that it is not intended to be used for completely erasing the primary partition.
Don't bash it if you can't figure out how to use it.Cons
Reviewer alanrc1234 stated,
<<I tried SIX times to erase a folder in Windows 7, and it always said "done with errors" but the folder was still there.>>
I agree that does happen, however, if you look inside the folder, all of the files will be erased. I don't know why this happens, but the log always says something like this test I just ran -->
"Session: Thursday, February 14, 2013 9:13:55 AM
Thursday, February 14, 2013 9:14:00 AM Error The file <<path & folder name>> is currently in use and cannot be removed."
This happens even if no other program or Win Explorer is running and is not necessarily an error in Eraser. It may be a problem with Win7's file system not properly marking folders as not in use.Summary
I have used several versions of this software and, except for not erasing SOME folders, I have not experienced the problems that most of the reviewers are reporting.
You might want to try using "Run as Administrator" if you are have problems erasing files on the primary drive or erasing free space on any drive.
Updated on Feb 14, 2013
You might also need to select this setting in the Eraser.exe file's Properties>Compatibility>Run as Administrator if you are going to use it for automated tasks when you are not logged into an administrator account. -
"Wouldnt do anything I needed"
Version: Eraser 6.0.10.2620
Pros
Great for flash drives or any add on drive
Cons
will not erase primary partition
Summary
A waste of my time trying this .The only one that actually works to erase your primary partition is killdisk
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"Are you kidding me?"
Version: Eraser 6.0.10.2620
Pros
None that I can see
Cons
This is full of ad ware and other nonsense.
Summary
Note to those who get caught up in this scam, you must disable any and all anti virus software to remove the junk it puts on your computer.
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"Command line interface is gone!"
Version: Eraser 6.0.10.2620
Pros
Free; works (as far as I know); can automate repetitive erasing.
Cons
I've been using the DOS version of Eraser for years. I wanted to upgrade because that version only accepted single 8.3 file names, plus simple wildcards. This version no longer does anything from the command line.
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"Doesn't seem to work with Windows 7"
Version: Eraser 6.0.10.2620
Pros
Free. The product is available for download, and is a recognized name that used to be a great product.
Cons
I tried SIX times to erase a folder in Windows 7, and it always said "done with errors" but the folder was still there. There was nothing special about the folder--it held backup copies of documents. I used Eraser back in the day and it was a great product for years and years. Apparently it isn't anymore.
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"It didn't work so I uninstalled it immediately."
Version: Eraser 6.0.10.2620
Pros
none known
Cons
none known
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"Beware do not download"
Version: Eraser 6.0.10.2620
Pros
none BEWARE
Cons
It is full of virue abd spyware, will also slow down your pc will not uninstall no mater what you do.It can also mess up some of your other programs
Summary
The only software that will uninstale Eraser is CCleaner software which is free.It took me weeks to find it on internet
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"Beware do not download"
Version: Eraser 6.0.10.2620
Pros
none BEWARE
Cons
It is full of virue abd spyware, will also slow down your pc will not uninstall no mater what you do.It can also mess up some of your other programs
Summary
The only software that will uninstale Eraser is CCleaner software which is free.It took me weeks to find it on internet
