Redkey USB Hard Drive Eraser
Boot from USB and securely erase whole disks on compatible computers.
Redkey is a reusable USB hard drive eraser for compatible PCs, laptops and Intel-based Macs. Start the computer from Redkey, choose the disks to erase and follow the on-screen steps. It wipes HDDs, SATA SSDs, NVMe SSDs, SCSI/SAS drives, USB flash drives and memory cards. Every edition is a one-time purchase with no subscription.
A factory reset, quick format or Windows reinstall may leave old data behind. Redkey erases the selected whole disk, including the operating system disk, before a computer is sold, donated, recycled or reused.
How the USB hard drive eraser works
- Activate and update. Connect Redkey to a Windows 7 or later computer with internet access and use the Redkey Updater to activate it and download the current software (about 2 GB).
- Boot from USB. Connect Redkey to the computer you want to erase, open its boot menu and choose the Redkey USB device. Redkey starts independently from the installed operating system, so you do not need to sign in to Windows or Linux.
- Choose how to erase. Wipe Wizard gives step-by-step guidance, AutoNuke can run an automatic erasure on supported disks, and Advanced Mode gives experienced users more precise control.
- Select and erase. Erase one disk or several connected disks in the same operation, with support for up to 16 disks per computer. Redkey verifies the result where supported.
- Check the result. Every edition shows the result on screen and clearly indicates success or an error. Professional and Ultimate also create detailed PDF reports.
Erasing a disk cannot be undone, so back up anything you need first and check that you have selected the correct disk. See How It Works for more detail.
Wipes HDDs, SATA SSDs, NVMe SSDs, SCSI/SAS drives, USB flash drives and memory cards
Redkey uses native erase commands where the drive supports them, and overwrites the disk otherwise.
- Hard disk drives (HDDs): many SATA hard disk drives are supported.
- SATA SSDs and NVMe SSDs: SSDs and NVMe disks manage data differently from magnetic hard disks, so where supported Redkey can use suitable sanitisation commands provided by the disk.
- SCSI/SAS drives: supported SCSI/SAS drives can be erased using native erase commands where the drive supports them, or by overwriting.
- M.2 disks: M.2 is a physical shape. An M.2 disk may use SATA or NVMe, so the controller and connection still matter.
- USB flash drives and memory cards: these are erased by overwriting. A USB adapter, enclosure or dock may allow normal access but block certain sanitisation commands, so connect a SATA or NVMe disk directly where practical.
Available methods depend on the disk and computer. Some RAID systems and specialist servers are not supported.
Wipe methods and standards
- Supports Clear and Purge sanitisation methods used in international guidance.
- Uses hardware commands built into the disk or software overwriting, where supported.
- Professional and Ultimate can create and save custom overwrite routines.
- Redkey removes hidden areas such as the HPA (Host Protected Area) and DCO (Device Configuration Overlay) on ATA/SATA drives, and supported hidden areas on SCSI drives, so the whole disk is wiped.
- Hexadecimal and binary viewers are included for manual checks.
The right method depends on the disk, the level of assurance you need and your organisation's policy. A method name alone does not prove compliance or confirm that an erasure succeeded, so always check the result shown.
Results and PDF reports
- Home: shows the erasure result on screen, including whether it succeeded or found an error. Home does not create PDF reports.
- Professional and Ultimate: create, view and save detailed PDF data erasure reports that record the disk, sanitisation method, date, time and result.
- Add customer, asset, operator or project details and your organisation's logo.
- Each report has a unique ID and digital signature.
- Save reports to Redkey or another USB storage device.
Reports record the process. They do not guarantee legal compliance.
Which edition should you buy?
Redkey USB Home
For erasing your own computers before you sell, donate or recycle them.
- Boots from USB and erases whole disks
- HDDs, SATA SSDs, NVMe SSDs, SCSI/SAS drives, USB flash drives and memory cards
- Result shown on screen
Redkey USB Professional
For IT teams, refurbishers and businesses that need a record of erasure.
- Everything in Home
- Detailed PDF reports with your logo and details
- Custom overwrite routines and extra disk controls
Redkey USB Ultimate
For teams that process computers and mobile devices.
- Everything in Professional, including PDF reports
- Supported Apple and Android phone and tablet erasure
- Scripting for repeated jobs
| Feature | Home | Professional | Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boots from USB, erases whole disks including the operating system disk | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HDDs, SATA SSDs, NVMe SSDs, SCSI/SAS drives, USB flash drives and memory cards | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Up to 16 connected disks per computer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wipe Wizard, AutoNuke, Advanced Mode and Remote Mode | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clear and Purge sanitisation methods, where supported | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Result shown on screen | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Detailed PDF reports with unique ID and digital signature | Not included | ✓ | ✓ |
| Customer, asset, operator or project details and your logo on reports | Not included | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom overwrite routines, SMART data, TRIM and cache flushing controls | Not included | ✓ | ✓ |
| Supported Apple and Android phone and tablet erasure | Not included | Not included | ✓ |
| Scripting for repeated jobs and reusable report details | Not included | Not included | ✓ |
| One-time purchase, unlimited use, lifetime software updates | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Buy Home | Buy Professional | Buy Ultimate |
Not sure yet? Choose the features you need now. Eligible Home Redkeys can be upgraded to Professional or Ultimate, and eligible Professional Redkeys can be upgraded to Ultimate, without replacing the physical Redkey. See Software Upgrades, Compare Redkey Editions or, for several workstations, Business Bulk Packs.
Compatibility
- Most Intel or AMD PCs and laptops made since around 2000.
- Most Intel Macs made from 2006 to 2020.
- Not compatible with Apple silicon Macs or ARM-based computers.
- Needs at least 2 GB RAM (4 GB for Remote Mode), USB boot support, a screen, keyboard and pointing device.
- Some computers need a BIOS, UEFI or storage setting changed.
Every Redkey includes a 2-year warranty, and our 90-day money-back guarantee applies to eligible unopened, unused and unactivated items. Unsure about a particular computer or disk? Contact us before ordering.
USB hard drive eraser FAQs
What is a USB hard drive eraser?
It is a bootable tool that starts a computer from USB instead of its installed operating system, then erases the selected whole disks. Redkey works this way: you start the computer from Redkey, select the disk or disks and follow the on-screen steps.
Does Redkey erase SSDs and NVMe drives as well as hard drives?
Yes. Redkey wipes HDDs, SATA SSDs, NVMe SSDs, SCSI/SAS drives, USB flash drives and memory cards. It uses native erase commands where the drive supports them, and overwrites the disk otherwise. Available methods depend on the disk and computer.
Which wipe methods does Redkey support?
Redkey supports Clear and Purge sanitisation methods used in international guidance, using hardware commands or software overwriting where supported. Redkey also removes hidden areas such as the HPA (Host Protected Area) and DCO (Device Configuration Overlay) on ATA/SATA drives, and supported hidden areas on SCSI drives, so the whole disk is wiped. Professional and Ultimate can also create and save custom overwrite routines.
Can Redkey erase USB flash drives and external drives?
Yes. USB flash drives and memory cards are erased by overwriting. A USB adapter, enclosure or dock may block certain sanitisation commands, so connect SATA or NVMe disks directly to the computer where practical.
Do I get a report after erasing a drive?
Every edition shows the result on screen. Professional and Ultimate also create detailed PDF reports that record the disk, sanitisation method, date, time and result, with a unique ID and digital signature. Home does not create PDF reports.
Which Redkey edition should I buy?
Choose Home for erasing your own computers with an on-screen result. Choose Professional if you need PDF reports. Choose Ultimate if you also need to erase supported Apple and Android phones and tablets or want scripting for repeated jobs.
Is Redkey a subscription?
No. Home, Professional and Ultimate are one-time purchases with unlimited use, no subscription, no per-erasure fees and lifetime software updates.
Can Redkey erase a computer that will not start or that I cannot log in to?
Yes, if the computer can power on, start from USB and make the disk available to Redkey. Redkey runs independently from Windows or Linux, so you do not need to sign in.
Does Redkey work on Macs?
Redkey supports most Intel-based Macs made from 2006 to 2020. Apple silicon Macs and other ARM-based computers are not supported.
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