Eraser vs GNU shred

Eraser is a free Windows security tool for overwriting sensitive data on drives. It can erase files and folders, previously deleted data, unused disk space and the current user’s Recycle Bin. Its methods include pseudorandom data and named overwrite schemes such as HMG IS5 and DoD 5220.22-M. Users can also define custom methods by choosing a number of passes and specifying text, hexadecimal or random data for those passes. A customizable scheduler handles recurring tasks and missed schedules. Optional Windows Explorer integration adds a context menu for supported items, and the help documentation lists a command line interface. The site lists support from Windows XP SP3 through Windows 11 and Server 2012–2025, and says Eraser works with drives supported by Windows. The download page cautions that erasure security has not been verified internally or externally and that the code may not remove all traces of files. Unused-space erasure on network drives may also require NAS knowledge and may not handle enforced quotas as expected, even when a task reports success. Eraser costs nothing.

GNU shred has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.