Paragon Software Group has announced the release of Paragon Hard Disk Manager Suite 15, the latest edition of its all-in-one drive management package.

The new Embedded Recovery Media Builder 3.0 creates Windows PE and Linux-based recovery discs from within the suite, and if you’re running Windows 7 or later then there are no further downloads required. (XP/ Vista users will still need Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit or Automated Installation Kit.)

The package can now run file level backup and restore operations on all its supported virtual containers (pVHD, VHD, VHDX, VMDK).

You’re now able to securely wipe SSDs, as well as regular hard drives, destroying all data beyond hope of recovery.

All key functions are available from the Windows 8-like “Express Mode”

The interface has seen a minor revamp. Legacy functions relating to Paragon’s old .pbf backup container are now hidden by default (clicking Tools > Legacy features turns them back on), while other areas have been reorganised to simplify navigation.

This is probably a good thing, as there’s a lot of functionality here: partitioning, boot management and correction, file and image backup, disk copying, data wiping and more, and all running on any version of Windows from 2000 Professional SP4 up.

A trial build of Paragon Hard Disk Manager Suite 15 is available now, though beware: although basic tasks work just fine, some operations – advanced partitioning, migration – can’t be physically applied to a target disk until you’ve purchased a licence.