Applies to: All editions; edition restrictions apply to server and virtual environments
Purpose
Use this page to confirm that the intended workstation, storage, license, and network conditions are suitable for CertErase.
Supported operating context
CertErase is a Windows desktop application. It uses Windows-specific functionality for the interface, registry integration, operating-system information, and Explorer commands.
The operator account must be able to read, write, rename, and delete every selected item. Permissions must also allow CertErase to create temporary files on volumes selected for free-space wiping. Files locked by another process, protected operating-system locations, unavailable network paths, and inaccessible folders can prevent completion.
Edition restrictions
- Standard: Intended for supported non-server Windows installations on physical machines.
- Pro: Intended for supported non-server Windows installations on physical machines.
- Enterprise: Intended for server and non-server Windows installations and virtual-machine use.
- Audit: Intended for server and non-server Windows installations and virtual-machine use.
The application performs environment checks during license validation. A Standard or Pro license may be rejected when CertErase detects Windows Server or a virtual machine.
Storage and file-system considerations
Core file overwrite and deletion use Windows file access and can operate on file systems that provide compatible read/write semantics. Feature behavior varies by file system:
- NTFS alternate data streams: The alternate-stream option is meaningful on NTFS and other environments that expose compatible named streams. It does not create equivalent coverage on file systems without that feature.
- Free-space wiping: The application creates temporary data until the configured reserve is reached. FAT32 requires multiple temporary files because of its single-file size limit.
- Remote and provider-managed storage: A successful logical write does not prove physical sanitization of server-side media, snapshots, replicas, caches, or backups.
- Flash storage: SSDs, USB flash devices, and memory cards can retain prior physical pages outside normal file-system addressing because of controller-managed behavior.
Network requirements
An internet connection is required for initial license activation and for periodic license validation. A previously validated license can be cached for limited offline use. The reviewed implementation permits up to 14 days of offline validity before online validation is required again.
Operational prerequisites
Before deployment, confirm:
- The official CertErase installer or distribution package is obtained from an authorized Probativa channel;
- The license edition matches the operating environment;
- The operator has local permissions for all intended targets;
- Time synchronization is enabled where timestamps will be used as evidence;
- Organizational backups, legal holds, retention schedules, and disposal approvals have been checked;
- A non-production test has been completed on representative storage.
Expected result
The environment is suitable when CertErase launches, the license validates, targets can be read and modified, and a controlled test operation completes with the expected log and report output.