Secure Eraser

CNET Editors' review

If you need sensitive data deleted without a trace, look no further than this easy to use application.

Secure Eraser has a colorful interface with three main tabs any user can understand. The program features include secure file and folder deletion, system cleaning, and Registry cleaning. The Secure File Deletion tab is fairly self-explanatory, as it simply deletes user-designated files and folders after overwriting the original file with random data. These deleted files and folders are completely erased and not just sent to the Recycle Bin. System Cleaning allows users to clear up temporary files, Internet Explorer settings, and the Recycle Bin all with a click of a button, but the process wasn't as quick as other tools. Registry Cleaning, on the other hand, is quick and simple. Users can choose which types of Registry entries they want scanned, results appear almost immediately, and deletion is a quick button push away.

Anyone looking for an all-in-one system cleaner can have faith that Secure Eraser will get the job done, even if it's not exactly the fastest program out there in cleaning some areas.

Publisher's Description

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All User Reviews

Results 1-6 of 6

  • 3.0 stars

    "Nag, nag, nag"

    February 9, 2011  |   By issachar1992

    Version: Secure Eraser 3.300

    Pros

    works well, does what it says

    Cons

    nag screen to buy pro version will dirve you crazy. When you say ok to consider buying, it takes you to a screen written in german. Don't read german Too bad, so sad, no buy.

    Summary

    Needs work to be livable. Not really free, but free to try if you can live with the nag screens and read german if you want to buy.

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  • 3.0 stars

    "Works ok. Nagware."

    September 9, 2010  |   By huntm856

    Version: Secure Eraser 3.202

    Pros

    Seems to work OK.

    Cons

    Is not freeware but is nagware. Pops up a big annoying nag screen everytime you use it unless you pay them for the 'pro' version.

    Summary

    Because it MOST ANNOYING nagware, I wouldn't recommend. I realize people have to get paid, but it's *REALLY* annoying. And I blame cnet as much as the vendor -- I probably wouldn't have been so annoyed had I been told it was nagware.

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  • 3.0 stars

    "v3.202 works, but the free version is annoying"

    July 22, 2010  |   By Eric_Christenson

    Version: Secure Eraser 3.202

    Pros

    Seems to do the job it is supposed to.

    Cons

    High-standard (Peter Gutman) erase is slow, 35x re-write clearly stresses disk speed.
    Seems to have problems in default setup on large numbers of files.
    Pop-Up "Buy Me!" that holds for 10 seconds in free version is annoying.

    Summary

    I'm doing file erasure (coupled with synchronization and encryption) of confidential data in case my laptop gets lost or stolen to prevent casual retrieval of the data.

    The menus are pretty straightforward, but on my Win XP laptop using NTFS, wiping a large (thousands of files,about 5 Gig, taking hours) archive runs into a lot of "Folder could not be deleted" (Abort, Retry, Ignore) errors. At a miimum, the program needs an "Ignore all" button; ideally, it just logs its errors and continues. If this message arises due to a hardware problem, that possibility needs to be mentioned.

    I expect this program will disappear into the background after a few days of initialization.

    Can't really complain about the "DATEIEN" germanism that didn't quite make it into the english translation above "File Deletion".

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Don't waste your time with this app"

    March 15, 2010  |   By deadlinedesign

    Version: Secure Eraser 2.2 SE

    Pros

    It's free and that's about all I can say positive.

    Cons

    For starters the app is only part usable as a free version thus restricting many features. There is no right click erase option available and it's not worth the space it takes up on your drive. Keep looking Windows 7 users for this isn't the one!

    Summary

    Keep looking for this isn't the one!

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  • 3.0 stars

    "normal erase functions as well as shred recycle bin"

    November 7, 2009  |   By downONu

    Version: Secure Eraser 2.2 SE

    Pros

    Its ablility to shred Recycle Bin not found in most other freeware

    Cons

    Limited choices on type of shredding compared to other programs

    Summary

    Useful for shredding Recycle Bin which most similar programs will not

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  • 5.0 stars

    "genuine privacy, safe from sly snoopers. peace of mind."

    September 17, 2008  |   By skdaman

    Version: Secure Eraser 2.2 SE

    Pros

    prevents sly snoopers. secure peace of mind.

    Cons

    do not yet have enough experience.

    Summary

    I do not yet have enough experience to criticise.

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Secure Eraser