Question Disposing of old, unused hard drives -- ensuring data is not recoverable

[sirhawkeye64]

So I have probably 15-20 old hard drives that I no longer use (these are smaller drives from 10+ years ago, so like 500GB drives, and a few are some 250GB drives). I no longer use them but had used them to store personal data. I'm wanting to discard them or recycle them but want to make sure the data is not recoverable. From what I recall, exposing the disk platters destroys data that's on them I believe, or maybe I need to smash the platters themselves as well or at least damage them to a point where they cannot be rebuilt. Is this the best way to ensure that data is erased? The drives may work and I had thought about doing a full DoD erase on the drives that still work, but then figured this might be a waste of time if I"m just going to destroy them before recycling/discarding them.

Thoughts?

 

[USAFRet]

Options:
1. Hammer.

2. Disassemble, recover the fridge magnets. Bend or break the platters.

3. Shooting range.

 

[Lutfij]

(Physically)Destroying the drive beyond recognition is one way of preventing a drive from being accessible, yes, LOL. Maybe have the drive placed in a(an anger)venting room...?

 

[USAFRet]

And if you do decide to go the software route, a simple Full Format in Windows File Explorer is good.
Yes, I've tested this. MS changed the functionality a few years ago. A Full format does indeed write 0's to the whole drive.

Absolutely NOTHING was recoverable.

 

[Zerk2012]

Hammer time

 

[bill001g]

Taking a drill and drilling even a couple small holes that go though the platters will discourage anybody except the government.

You could also take a bucket of water put some salt in it and let them sit in it for a couple days. Will stop all but the most determined person.

 

[fzabkar]

There is no need to physically destroy them. That would be a waste. Instead, it is sufficient to zero-fill them or to run an ATA Enhanced Secure Erase command against them. No government agency will be able to recover anything. Then you can confidently recycle the drives.

 

[JayGau]

At work we shred them. You can search online for hard drive shredding service near you.