# iolo DriveScrubber

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Erase selected drives and prepare a bootable workflow for system-drive wiping before storage reuse or handover.

## Prepare a drive for reuse or handover

iolo DriveScrubber is a drive-erasure utility for removing the contents of selected storage. Use it when preparing a disk for reuse, sale or disposal after preserving the information you still need.

Choose the target by its identity and contents rather than by drive letter alone. Confirm that retained documents, settings and other important data are accessible from an independent copy before starting a destructive operation.

## Distinguish secondary-drive and system-drive wiping

DriveScrubber provides a workflow for wiping a non-system drive and a bootable-media workflow for erasing the system drive. A complete system-drive wipe also removes Windows and installed applications.

Decide whether you are retaining the computer or handing it over. After erasing its system drive, it will need a separate installation or recovery process before it can be used normally again.

## Use the documented bootable USB workflow

The USB creation workflow prepares media that starts the drive-wiping environment outside the installed Windows system. Creating the bootable USB formats the selected USB drive, so its existing contents must be preserved elsewhere first.

Keep the USB creation target distinct from the storage you intend to erase later. Check that the prepared environment recognizes the intended target before confirming a wipe, and review the controls in your installed release rather than relying on older screenshots.

## Free Space Wipe is no longer a supported feature

iolo states that it removed Free Space Wipe because of data-safety concerns. Older product descriptions may still mention cleaning only the remnants of deleted files while retaining the operating system, but that should not be treated as an available current workflow.

If you intend to keep using the computer and its existing files, do not substitute a whole-drive wipe for the removed feature. First define what data needs to remain and select a workflow that matches that goal.

## Match the operation to the device and intended result

Review the wiping options supported by the installed release and the actual target drive. Do not assume that the same method or overwrite count demonstrates complete coverage for every storage device.

Before reusing an SSD workflow from older hard-disk guidance, verify the supported operation for that device. Keep the result limited to the selected target: a local wipe does not automatically erase separate archives or copies held by online services.

## Keep the retained copy and completion result clear

Inspect completion information before treating the task as finished, and preserve the data you chose to retain on a separate destination. Confirm the next step for the erased drive, such as installing an operating system or preparing it for the recipient.

For planning recovery copies, see [how to back up files](https://find-your-software.com/solutions/how-to-backup-files.html) and [Laplink DiskImage](https://find-your-software.com/laplink/diskimage/). For another data-erasure product, explore [Laplink SafeErase](https://find-your-software.com/laplink/safeerase/) and compare the documented modes in the selected release.

## Compare DriveScrubber with other erasure tools

Our [Laplink SafeErase vs iolo DriveScrubber comparison](https://find-your-software.com/solutions/laplink-safeerase-vs-iolo-drivescrubber.html) covers selected-file and whole-drive tasks, bootable wiping and the removal of Free Space Wipe. Choose the workflow around what must be removed and what must remain.

- [iolo DriveScrubber vs O&O SafeErase 21](https://find-your-software.com/solutions/iolo-drivescrubber-vs-oo-safeerase-21.html)
- [iolo DriveScrubber vs CCleaner Professional](https://find-your-software.com/solutions/iolo-drivescrubber-vs-ccleaner-professional.html)
- [iolo DriveScrubber vs O&O FileErase](https://find-your-software.com/solutions/iolo-drivescrubber-vs-oo-fileerase.html)

## iolo DriveScrubber FAQ

### What is iolo DriveScrubber used for?

It erases the contents of selected drives, including a system drive through a bootable-media workflow. Preserve needed data independently before starting.

### Can it wipe only free space while keeping my files and Windows?

iolo has removed Free Space Wipe because of data-safety concerns. Older descriptions of that feature should not be treated as instructions for the current product.

### Does wiping the system drive remove Windows?

Yes. A complete system-drive wipe removes the operating system, applications and data on the selected target. Plan a separate installation or recovery process if you want to use the computer afterward.

### Will creating a bootable USB preserve files already on the USB?

No. The creation workflow formats the selected USB drive. Copy anything you need from it to a separate destination first.

### Can a non-system drive be wiped separately?

Yes. The documented workflow supports wiping a selected non-system drive. Confirm the target and preserve its needed contents before proceeding.

### Does a local wipe remove cloud backups or other copies?

No. Separate copies remain outside the selected drive operation. Review backup archives and online storage separately when they are part of your data-removal plan.

### Can I undo a wipe with recovery software?

Do not rely on recovery software to undo erasure. Treat the operation as permanent and confirm an independent copy of anything you need before starting.