Is the reset PC function same as DBAN? Windows states that it's recommended if one's selling the device, but is it just the same as a reformat from an installation media?

no one has dared answer you even till now bcos we all dont know what
you mean by the high tech word you used

DBAN

SBAN = seremban we know but DBAN no

Darik's Boot And Nuke ?

Perhaps if you got a brain, a Google search will reveal the answer below. And you're on Windows 10 subforum, please tell me there's nothing else more advanced than abbreviations such as cmd, RAM and SSD?

You got that right.

This post has been edited by UserU: Apr 9 2017, 07:40 PM

The reset PC function probably just remove all of user data and programs, and there is chance of recovery of data using recuva , meanwhile DBAN is rewrite your disk drive space so it hard to recovery the data but DBAN dosent have free space wipe funtion, you can use reset PC funtion and ccleaner to wipe the freespace, is you dont want to reinstall OS

This post has been edited by Doraku: Apr 9 2017, 07:45 PM

ts, most probably for that statement, ms assumed you're using ssd with full disk encryption hehe. in general, for ssd with trim enabled, you can use the reset to wipe data on it. if you think it's not enough, you can always use manual format command with /p (number of pass) to format your drive first. (i think this is available since w8.x):

format <drive>: /p:1

you can use this manual format command to hdd also. probably with /p:3. (i think it works the same as dban in some extent)

the problem with secure erase like this is that it takes a very long time to complete. the better way is to use full disk encryption like bitlocker from day one. you can just perform a quick format on encrypted disks/partitions and that's good enough.

edit: in the case of using bitlocker, you can use gpedit.msc and bump up the default encryption level to a stronger one, if you want.

This post has been edited by horns: Apr 9 2017, 10:58 PM

Thanks for the response.

Actually, the device doesn't have an SSD. It's a 32GB eMMC embedded with a conventional 500GB one located in a detachable keyboard dock.

But I've already found a solution which is to simply use CCleaner's Drive Wiper (3 passes). Better than a simple reformat I guess

oh. drive wipe from ccleaner works fine too.

yeah a simple reformat is never enough. i have recovered data due to own carelessness many times. usually the recovery worked very well for plain disks without encryption.