There is a free utility out there cdalled Eraser that does a pretty good job. It writes random data over all the unallocated sectors, which is way better than just re-formatting the thing.
That is good enough if all you are trying to do is keep dumpster-divers out of your Quicken data. It will probably stymy local law enforcement as well.
If you have something you would rather the FBI not find, complete physical destruction is your only hope. They know how to find shadow copies from a restore point and all that.
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