1. Surface Data Eraser Toolkit

The Microsoft Surface Data Eraser is here to help. Called the Microsoft Surface Data Eraser and developed by the Redmond-based software giant, this application is supposed to do exactly what its name suggests: remove data from the Surface tablet and get it ready for a trip to the service center (or maybe for a new user if you sell it, for instance).

There are plenty of applications around to securely erase data from Windows PCs. There are also tools like Partition Wizard Bootable CD/USB to partition and delete data from unbootable PCs.

While one can always use third-party tools to securely erase data b­efore handing over a PC to service or selling off, there is an official tool to securely wipe data from Microsoft Surface devices.

Surface Data Eraser by Microsoft

Microsoft Surface Data Eraser is a free tool from Microsoft to help Surface users to securely delete data without booting into Windows operating system. The tool comes in handy when you Surface is not booting and you want to send it to service. The Surface Data Eraser can be used on Surfaces running Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, and Windows 7.

Basically Microsoft Surface Data Eraser is designed to boot from USB so that users can delete data even when the Surface is unbootable. And before we tell you how to create a bootable USB of Microsoft Surface Eraser tool, please keep in mind that the tool doesn’t work third-party devices. That said, the Surface Eraser bootable USB can be prepared on any Windows running PC.

The Microsoft Surface Data Eraser is compatible with following devise only.

# Surface Book

# Surface Pro 4

# Surface Pro 3

Surface Data Eraser Toolkit

# Surface 3

# Surface 3 LTE

# Surface Pro 2

Prepare Surface Eraser bootable USB

Step 1: Visit this page of Microsoft to download Surface Data Eraser installer. The download size is about 360 MB. After downloading, run the setup file and then follow on-screen directions to complete the installation.

NOTE: The download page lists other tools for Surface device as well. After clicking the Download button, you will see a page where you can select the tool that you want to download.

Step 2: Connect a USB flash drive that you want to use as bootable USB to delete data from Surface device.

Step 3: Type Microsoft Surface Data Eraser in Start menu search box and then press Enter key to launch the tool.

Step 4: Click the Build button.

If you’re using a USB 2.0 device, you might get the following screen with “We recommend that you use a USB 3.0 thumb drive with at least 4 GB of space” message.

The USB 2.0 drive works without any issues. Simply click the Start button.

Step 5: The tool automatically shows your USB drive. Select the USB drive by clicking the radio button next to it and then click the Start button to begin preparing Surface Data Eraser bootable USB.

The bootable USB will be ready in less than 5 minutes on most modern PCs. On our PC, it took less than 2 minutes. Once the bootable USB is ready, you will “Success” message.

Using Microsoft Surface Data Eraser

Step 1: Connect the bootable USB containing Surface Data Eraser to your Surface device.

Step 2: Next, you need to prepare the Surface device to boot from USB. Here is how to that.

1. Turn off your Surface.

2. Press and hold the volume up button.

3. Press and release the power button.

4. Release the volume up button.

Step 3: Turn on the Surface device, and boot from the bootable USB connected to it.

Step 4: When you see the license screen, click Accept to continue.

Step 5: Finally, you need to press the “S” key to erase data. When you see the confirmation screen, confirm the same by pressing “Y” key.

If you’re planning to sell your Surface tablet or laptop or simply send it to a Microsoft service center, but you’re afraid that someone might access your data, there’s a very simple app that can take care of everything for you.

Called the Microsoft Surface Data Eraser and developed by the Redmond-based software giant, this application is supposed to do exactly what its name suggests: remove data from the Surface tablet and get it ready for a trip to the service center (or maybe for a new user if you sell it, for instance).

The way it works is quite simple. All you have to do is create a bootable USB stick that can then run the secure wipe for you, all automatically. Microsoft says the data can’t be recovered, so you’re all safe.

The latest Surface devices are compatible with the application, including Surface Pro 2, Surface 3 and Surface 3 LTE, Surface Pro 3 and 4, and Surface Book. The Surface RT, Surface 2, and Surface Pro are not supported.

“A Microsoft Surface Data Eraser USB stick requires only the ability to boot from USB. The USB tool is easy to create by using the provided wizard, the Microsoft Surface Data Eraser Wrapper, and is easy to use with a simple graphic interface, no command line needed,” Microsoft explains.

Once you set up a USB drive and boot from it, all you have to do is follow a short wizard to begin the process. Depending on how much data is stored on the drive, it could take longer to complete, but it’s very important to note that you must not interrupt the process by any means.

The application is obviously offered free of charge and can be used on the latest Windows versions. Of course, make sure that you back up your data before anything else because this application removes files beyond repair.