HDD Low Level Format Tool for Windows

Used HDD Low Level Format Tool for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffSeptember 9, 2025

HDD Low Level Format Tool stands out as a powerful and free tool designed to perform a true low-level format on a wide variety of storage devices. Its purpose is to completely erase all data on a hard disk drive, making it an excellent solution for preparing a drive.

HDD Low Level Format Tool goes beyond a simple partition wipe, offering a deep, sector-by-sector erasure that leaves no recoverable data behind. The tool's ability to handle not just traditional HDDs but also SSDs and flash media via card readers is a significant advantage.

Deep erasing for your data security

HDD Low Level Format Tool is a specialized utility for securely wiping data. It’s effective for preparing a hard drive for a clean operating system. The software's capacity to handle various interfaces, from the older IDE to modern SATA and even USB and FireWire enclosures, adds to its utility. One potential drawback, however, is that while the program is effective, users typically cannot perform a true low-level format on modern hard drives.

For modern SSDs, using a low-level format tool can actually decrease the lifespan of the drive by consuming a significant number of write cycles. While the program can wipe these drives, it's often better to use the manufacturer's own secure erase tools. The quick wipe feature is a more practical option for many, as it rapidly erases partitions and the MBR, but it doesn't provide the same level of security.

Despite its power, users should exercise caution. Running this program will permanently delete all data, and there is no way to recover it afterward. The process is not a quick one, especially on large drives, and users should be prepared to wait. It's important to understand the distinction between this software's function and a true low-level format, while it's a powerful data sanitization tool.

Pros
- Supports a vast range of interfaces and manufacturers
- Effectively and permanently wipes all data
- Option for quick MBR and partition wipe
Cons
- Using on SSDs can reduce the drive's lifespan

Bottom Line

Final verdict on the data eraser

HDD Low Level Format Tool is an extremely useful program for anyone needing to securely and permanently wipe data from a storage device. Its free and open licensing, combined with its wide compatibility, makes it a go-to choice for IT professionals and home users alike. However, it's important to understand the nuances of its low-level format functionality on modern drives, and to be mindful of its impact on SSD longevity.

What’s new in version 2.36.11.81

Bug fixes

HDD Low Level Format Tool for Windows

Used HDD Low Level Format Tool for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

Explore More

Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: February 5, 2019

Latest update: September 9, 2025

Version: 2.36.11.81

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 2003
Windows 2000
Windows XP

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 237,225

Downloads Last Week: 217

Report Software

Program available in other languages

Descargar HDD Low Level Format Tool

Last Updated

User Reviews

3.7/5

6 User Votes

Untrustworthy
crucialhermanJuly 20, 2015
Pros
small file to download, no annoying bolt-on products to deselect during instal
Cons
Just didn't work. Selected the quick method for removing MBR etc, and it claimed to do that. I went back to the drive and opened files up no problem. Please don't criticise the reviewer who calls this 'crippleware' - they are 100% correct. Selling the full (presumably uncrippled) version cheaply doesn't make it permissable to submit a non-working free version. It's a thinly veiled and cynical sales technique so I won't pay to support such underhanded tactics.
Summary
Free version is useless and a mean spirited way to get you to purchase the full version.
Works great. "Free" version is useless but it's only $3
sknoofDecember 27, 2013
Pros
Easy to use, does the job well, good feedback to user. Fine even for a novice. That is, IF you pay the three dollars. The paid, licensed version did a low-level format on a 320Mb drive, connected via USB 3.0, in just under two hours. Fine by me. Works great!
Cons
The free version starts running at a perfectly adequate 30Mb/second. Yes, they tell you that the licensed version (a VERY cheap $3) is faster, but they DON'T tell you that, within seconds, the free version slows down to a virtually useless *THREE* Mb/second. Come on. That's ridiculous. Especially when the license is so incredibly inexpensive.
Summary
I think the reviewer whose review is headlined "CRIPPLEWARE" was being more than a bit harsh with his one star. I'd give 'em one star for ATTITUDE, yeah, in regards to the deliberate crawl-speed of the unpaid version. That's no way to sell a product which is actually very good and ridiculously inexpensive. But the paid version works great. I would have given it a full five stars if not for their annoying "marketing tactics."
Does what it says on the tin!
schismruleOctober 18, 2013
Pros
Nice and simple to use. The full "Uncapped" version is very cheap at $3.30 Has done a good job formatting many of my drives Also gives you basic SMART and device details so you can save having to use seperate tools.
Cons
I have not come across any as yet.
Summary
The free version is capped at 50MB/s, personally I feel this is fast enough for personal use e.g. formatting the odd drive now and again which is exactly what it is for. If I was using it commercially and formatting drive after drive, speed would probably be important to me and then certainly the paid "Uncapped" version is what I would go for. Remember speed issues are very likely due to your hardware, or limitations in your chain from the software to your drive, remember it will only run and the speed of the slowest part of the chain. Also if you are using the free version and not hitting the 50MB/s cap there's no point buying the full version as you will not get a speed increase! for example when I am formatting a drive using my SATA to USB adaptor it runs at a steady 27MB/s which is all the cable will handle, no doubt with better hardware or using the SATA connector directly to the motherboard I will get better speeds but the 27MB/s cap is fine for my occasional use and the convenience of the USB connection. The software is simple to use, simply make sure your HDD is attached and launch the software, you will see your attached hard drives listed. Make sure you select the correct hard drive! as once you have started the formatting your data will be erased permanently. Select low level format from the top tab and hit the FORMAT THIS DEVICE button, you can also select the checkbox to do a quick wipe but this will not give you the same security level as a full wipe so if removing the data complexly is important to you do the full format. You get some nice accurate stats of percentage complete, speed and the Current sector while it is formatting so now just sit back and relax. Once its complete you will need to initialize the drive and create partitions before using.
Good Program, Works as Advertised
TazzyOpzOctober 1, 2013
Pros
My 500GB Western Digital Hard Drive was not bootable after some corruption... And after running HDD Low Level Format Tool. It is now fixed. I used the free version although I can definitely see buying the full version for just $3.00 would be well worth it.
Cons
I have used the tool a few times and have yet to have any complaints about it.
Summary
Great Product, If you are looking to fix a corrupt USB or Hard drive I'd definitely try it out. It can't hurt.
Crippleware
arbuthnot-darjeelingMay 26, 2012
Pros
Small size quick download - probably does what you want if you pay for a licence but I won't test that
Cons
At first sight seemed just what I wanted, but too late I noticed the free version is crippled to run at the speed of a dead slug. Starts at 30mb/s then drops to 3mb/s. In other words, six hours after I started a format, it had done 4% of the drive. In practice, useless. I should pay someone who treats me like this?
Summary
Deceptive download, free version is crippleware, useless in practice

Developer’s Description

Format and re-certify a SATA, IDE or SCSI hard disk drive.

HDD Low Level Format Tool is a freeware utility for low-level hard disk drive formatting. This small program will erase, Low-Level Format and re-certify a SATA, IDE or SCSI hard disk drive. Will work with USB and FIREWIRE external drive enclosures. Low-level formatting of Flash Cards is supported too. Low Level Format Tool will clear partitions, MBR, and every bit of user data.