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Set up and start Fortress Mode

Set up Fortress Mode and restart the PC into it. In Fortress Mode, O&O SafeErase runs in the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) instead of Windows. Windows does not lock any files there, so system drives and the entire PC can be erased.

Prerequisites:

  • O&O SafeErase is licensed. Fortress Mode is not available in the trial version.
  • O&O SafeErase runs with administrator rights. Otherwise select Restart as administrator on the page.
  • Windows RE is available on the PC. If it is switched off, the setup can repair it.
  • No erasure is running.

Set up Fortress Mode​

  1. Select Erase entire PC. The Fortress Mode card shows the state, the version, the state of Windows RE and the location.
  2. Select Set up Fortress Mode.
  3. Wait until the card shows Set up. Setting up takes a few minutes and does not restart the PC.

Result: Fortress Mode is set up in the Windows Recovery Environment and can be started at any time.

Start Fortress Mode​

  1. Save all open documents and close all programs.
  2. Select Start Fortress Mode and confirm the restart.
  3. If BitLocker protects the system drive, confirm that the protection is suspended until Windows starts normally again. Keep the BitLocker recovery key at hand.

Result: The PC restarts and O&O SafeErase opens in Fortress Mode. Continue with Erase the entire PC or erase individual drives and partitions, including the system drive.

In Fortress Mode, browser and Windows traces cannot be erased. When you restart the PC without erasing Windows, Windows starts normally again.

Rebuild or remove Fortress Mode​

After an update of O&O SafeErase, the card shows Update recommended or Unknown. Select Rebuild so that Fortress Mode uses the installed version.

Remove deletes the boot entry and the folder of Fortress Mode. You can set it up again at any time.

Next steps​