Wiping Hard Drive
 

Husband got a new computer and we’d like to recycle his old all-in-one that runs on Windows 10. What is the best way to wipe the hard drive? Thanks.

Free utility
 

A sledge hammer is the most foolproof method.

OP, I noticed that you started 2 threads. Did you know that you can edit the title of a thread by clicking on "edit/delete", and then "go advanced".

Reuse the disk drive or destroy it?

Followed by a little diesel and a match.

Should you be captured you will be disavowed
 

light the fuse, run

Sure fire method without destroying drive. PC can be used by someone without filling up landfill.

How to Low Level Format (Or Zero-Fill) Your Hard Disk - Make Tech Easier

Put a nail thru it

Of course another option is to convert it to Linux Mint. It will wipe out the drive of the old operating system and make the computer feel like new.
A lot of people don't need the power of Windows. Linux can do most (if not all) what most people need without being tracked or needing antivirus software. I converted and old laptop from Windows 7 to Linux Mint and will never go back to Windows.

What are the steps to converting Windows to Linux Mint? Thanks!

Get a hammer/water/oil.

Ask Google or any search engine how to do this - don't rely on these answers. I have wiped an iPhone, and laptop with their instructions. You will be able to tell if you accomplished it. With Apple they ask you what language you prefer when you open it back up. Then you know.

Easy
 

I drill a couple of 1/8” holes through it.

Download the software, make a bootable thumb drive or CD, boot it up, click install.

They offer three “flavors” of the latest version. I use the full featured version, Cinnamon, on my 2012 Dell, and a 2013 Toshiba. If your computer is older, or has a Celeron processor, they also have a simpler version called Mate.

If your old computer is more modern and uses UFEI at boot, change it to BIOS boot for installation.

Confused? Just try it and see if you like it. If you run into anything too technical, there is lots of Linux help a Google away. In consulting help, know that Mint is a “Debian” or “Ubuntu” Linux, not “ Open Suse”.

I just physically remove my hard drives and can later add an enclosure and access them.
Of course that depends on how they are connected to your computer.

I am not certain, but I think that, if you move the hard drive that has Windows on it, the Windows program may not function because of security measures used by Microsoft. When you install Windows, Microsoft using a "fingerprint" method to identify the computer where it is being installed with identifiers, such as the motherboard, graphics card, etc.

Axe, not difficult to get info. Or, landfill.

Note that, if you use any Windows-based programs that reside on your hard drive, such as TurboTax or MS Office, I don't think they will function with Linus Mint.

If your intent is to donate the “old” pc, then I would buy a new hard drive or ssd, depending on what the pc has, and by an enclosure for the old hard drive so you can use the old drive as a backup and also access any files currently on it. Install the new drive and reinstall windows back to the old m machine. Reinstall windows on a computer that was previously in use is cost free.

I don't think you can move the old hard drive to a new enclosure and reinstall Windows. The Windows license has changed and it only allows the program to be installed on one computer. If you move the hard drive to another computer, I think you need to buy another Windows software program. That is because Microsoft records attributes of your computer and will not allow the program to be installed on a different machine. In the past, you owned a Windows program and you could move it to a new computer. But, I don't think the license allows that anymore.

Also, if you buy a new hard drive for the old enclosure, you will need to buy another Windows program, unless you want to reinstall the old Windows program on the new hard drive. Very complicated. Read the Windows license.

Wipe old Hard Drive
 

This thread has stupidly and needlessly descended into politics. Y'all need to get a life.