Applies to: All editions; controls vary by edition
Before you start
Confirm all of the following:
- The data is approved for destruction;
- No legal hold or retention obligation applies;
- Backups and synchronized copies have been addressed separately;
- The selected paths are correct;
- The operator account can modify every target;
- The selected method and controls match the approved procedure;
- The required report destination is available;
- Applications that can lock or recreate targets are closed.
Warning — irreversible operation
Starting the operation can permanently alter the selected content before any later cancellation request is processed.
Procedure
- Open CertErase.
- Confirm the product version, active edition, and operator context.
- Add the approved files and folders, or open an approved target list.
- Review every path in the Files area.
- Select the approved erasure method or sanitization profile.
- Review verification, alternate data streams, identity changes, metadata handling, metadata churn, and free-space settings.
- Capture the effective settings where the procedure requires pre-operation evidence.
- Select Secure Erase.
- Read the irreversible-action warning.
- Confirm only when the target and settings are correct.
- Monitor progress and item-level messages.
- Do not close the application or disconnect target storage during processing.
- At completion, review the final status and every failed or skipped item.
- Export the required log or report.
- Store evidence under the approved record-retention process.
Expected result
A successful item record shows that the configured overwrite and required verification stages completed and that deletion was requested successfully. A successful session should also show the expected folder and cleanup outcome.
Handling a mixed result
Do not label the whole data set as sanitized when one or more items failed. Preserve the log, isolate the failure reason, and rerun only after determining whether the remaining item is still addressable.