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SPECIFICTION
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nwipe

github.com

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Spec score 8.0 #5 of 19 in Data Destruction Software

What it is

nwipe is a free Linux utility for securely erasing block devices, either one drive at a time or multiple disks in parallel. It runs from the command line or through an ncurses-based graphical interface. Erase methods include zero and one fills, DoD and Gutmann wipes, verification passes, and BMB21-2019. For supported drives, the GUI also offers ATA and NVMe hardware-native block erase, cryptographic scramble, and pattern overwrite. Random-pattern methods can use selectable pseudorandom generators, including AES-256-CTR and ChaCha20. I/O modes include automatic, direct, and cached; automatic mode falls back to cached I/O if direct I/O is unsupported. hdparm is required at runtime, while smartmontools and dmidecode are optional recommended tools for features such as SMART certificate data and HPA/DCO detection. nwipe can generate a three-page PDF certificate. Hardware-sanitize options are interactive in the GUI and cannot be batched with automated multi-drive commands such as autonuke. Legacy ATA Secure Erase and freeze-lock handling are not supported.

Spec sheet

Purpose
nwipe securely erases block devices and can wipe one drive or multiple disks in parallel.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project welcomes bug reports, feature requests, and pull requests on GitHub and asks reporters to include their distribution, nwipe version, hardware details, logs, and command-line options.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The project is licensed under GNU General Public License v2.0.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Bootable option
The project points users to ShredOS for a bootable image with nwipe, available for x86_64 and i686 systems with legacy BIOS and UEFI support.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Dependencies
hdparm is a runtime requirement, while smartmontools is strongly recommended for features such as SMART certificate data and HPA/DCO detection.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Distribution
The README lists ShredOS, netboot.xyz, DiskDump, Parted Magic, SystemRescue, GParted Live, and Grml among distributions or projects that include nwipe.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Drive certificates
nwipe can produce a three-page PDF certificate, with SMART data available when the recommended supporting tools are installed.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Drive sanitization
The GUI can use ATA and NVMe hardware-native block erase, cryptographic scramble, or pattern overwriting.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Erase methods
Available methods include zero and one fills, DoD and Gutmann wipes, HMG IS5 Enhanced, Schneier, BMB21-2019, and verification passes.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Hardware sanitize
Version 0.43 adds interactive hardware sanitize options including block erase, cryptographic erase, and overwrite for supported drives.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
I/O controls
The I/O subsystem supports automatic, direct, and cached modes, with automatic mode falling back to cached I/O when direct I/O is unsupported.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Interface
It can run as a command-line tool or with an ncurses-based GUI.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Interfaces
It can run as a command-line tool or with an ncurses-based graphical interface.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Legacy drive limitation
The v0.43 release says legacy ATA Secure Erase and its freeze-lock handling are not supported.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Lineage
nwipe is a fork of the dwipe command originally used by Darik's Boot and Nuke and was created to run its erase engine on Linux distributions with newer hardware support.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker location
The GitHub profile for Martijn van Brummelen lists The Netherlands.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Parallel operation
The README describes six drives being erased in parallel in its example.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Random data
Its selectable PRNG engines include cryptographically secure ISAAC, AES-256-CTR, and ChaCha20 options.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Sanitize limitation
The v0.43 release says hardware sanitize is GUI-only and cannot be batched with automated multi-drive commands such as autonuke.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

nwipe Free GPL-2.0 · command-line and ncurses GUI · requires Linux Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every nwipe plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Command-line and ncurses graphical interfaces
  • Can erase multiple disks in parallel
  • Offers multiple wipe and verification methods
  • Can generate a three-page PDF certificate

Limits

  • Requires hdparm at runtime
  • Hardware sanitize is GUI-only
  • Hardware sanitize cannot be batched with autonuke
  • Legacy ATA Secure Erase is unsupported

Who it suits

nwipe suits Linux users who need to erase block devices through a command-line or ncurses interface, including multiple drives in parallel. Its hardware-sanitize options are for interactive GUI use rather than automated multi-drive commands.

Verdict

nwipe provides several erasure approaches, I/O modes, and reporting options for Linux block devices. Users should note the runtime dependency and the limits on hardware sanitize and legacy ATA Secure Erase.

Where Specifiction places it

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