I'm not sure any of these erase programs will work reliably on SSDs as they have their own MITM operating system moving things around inside them.

If you need to erase a SSD use the program supplied by the manufacturer or maybe HDDerase, which uses a wipe function built into the disks themselves.

If you really want privacy, the only certainty is full disk encryption from the beginning.

A competent open source utility is Eraser.

Home page: http://eraser.heidi.ie/

If you read the terms, and read between the ines. It sounds like as soon as you download this program, they can immediately have access to everything on your computer and their 3rd party associates. Does that mean that if anyone associated with the program or their associates can alter their programs and have the same access to your computer. Hmmm, sounds like they will know and can copy your content and store it before they kick down your door, so where does this program leave you by downloading it?

Disk Wipe is portable freeware. Works with XP. Only 1.05MB in size.
Would prefer that to today's giveaway.

Who really security wipes their hard disk anyway?
Have you done that at least once in the last 20 years?
For most of us, the answer is NIL.

USB drives - yes. I think there may be a use here for wiping USB portable flash drives.
But there are many freeware for this.

As a general rule, try not to "wipe" anything, if you are not handling State Secrets.

When you really want to use such software - be very careful. Do NOT accidentally wipe the wrong drive.
If you mistakenly wipe the wrong drive, say C: that contains your OS and programs, then it is a mess.

I just used Gparted to eliminate all data on the hard drive before installing Windows 7.

The Windows Update feature will not work, it just sits there at "checking for updates".

I was told by Microsoft to delete the contents of the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder, but even using Iobit Unlocker I get a message that some files are in use by another process.

Will this software be able to erase these files even though they are in use by another process?

Any help would be appreciated to get Windows Update to work properly.
Thank you

@MikeR. You are a gifted writer.

I checked their website. There is a 100% free all the time version. The version being offered here is the Essential version ($12.99 upgrade). There is a third version called the "Professional" version that is $25.99.

http://www.hardwipe.com/upgrade.html

Amazing program. Been using it for almost 2 years with no problem. This one is the paid Essential edition, not Free, guys. The Essential gives you a couple of benefits (pagefile deletion on request, 2-pass verification). The Free Edition does not do it.

$12.99 or free?
See here - http://www.techspot.com/downloads/6213-hardwipe.html

Hardwipe 5.1.3

Hardwipe is a slick on-demand data sanitizer for Windows with a user interface that is both beautiful and a dream to use.
Developer: Big Angry Dog
Last updated: February 17, 2016
License: Freeware
OS support: Windows
File size: 8.8 MB
Downloads: 2,724
User rating: [5 out of 5] 7 votes
---
Freeware on majorgeeks.com too
---
- - and here http://www.downloadcrew.co.uk/article/32203-hardwipe
16 February 2016
License: Free, for personal-use only
Operating Systems: Windows 10, Windows 7 (64 bit), Windows 8, Windows Vista (32 bit), Windows Vista (64 bit)
Requirements:
Languages: English
Software Cost: Free
----
Answers?

What type of disks does this cover? - I though Flash-drives and SSDs could not wipe data except by 'resetting' the whole disk

"Hardwipe is the data sanitization toolset used by activists, journalists, IT technicians and anyone to ensure that discarded, but sensitive, information can never be recovered by someone else."

Really? That is news to me. I am two out of three of those types of people and I used to be in the third group.... never heard of this? Can the authors back this claim up with hard evidence or is it just a throwaway claim?