How to Permanently Delete Files: Your Complete Guide

Updated By

Sherly 

Written By

Tracy King 

Last Updated on April 22, 2024

Did you know that files you delete by emptying the Recycle Bin or using Shift+Delete can still be recovered? The solution: file shredding.

Stay tuned to this page, and you'll learn a complete guide on how to permanently delete files on your own in Windows 10/8/7. Let's get started!

Please note that deleted files cannot be recovered. Therefore, make sure to back up all important files to a secure location before you proceed with the destruction.

[1] Overview of File Shredding - What Does Shredding a File Mean?

Most antivirus programs' “shredder” features work by destroying the structure of a target file or document so that it cannot be recovered.

However, in most cases, deleting a file does not truly destroy it; it merely overwrites the file on the hard drive. This is also the principle behind most file-shredding software.

In other words, shredding is the process of permanently deleting a file so that it cannot be retrieved.

How do I permanently delete files from my computer or external hard drive? This article will answer all your questions.

How to Permanently Delete a File

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, you can't trust that “Shift+Delete” or emptying the Recycle Bin will completely remove a file. To delete a file for good, you'll need to use a specialized file-shredding tool.

Check out the table below for our top picks of file shredding tools that can help you obliterate files for various purposes and from different locations on your computer or storage device.

Let's see:

Note that some anti-virus programs also have the ability to shred files from specific locations. Try running one on your computer if you're interested.

To save you time and effort, we've picked two reliable file-shredding tools to help you get the job done. Follow the guides below to learn how to delete your files on your own.

#1. Permanently delete files from folders, recycle bin, desktop or partitions

File Shredder: CCleaner

Applies to: Permanently delete one or multiple files from the Recycle Bin, desktop, or a partition.

How to Use:

Step 1: Click on “Clean Up,” and select the files you wish to shred, such as “Empty Recycle Bin” or “Temporary Files.”

If you don't want to shred any important files here, uncheck them in the list.

Select the files you want to shred

Click “Options” > “Include” > “Add” > “Browse,” and select a single file or folder from your computer desktop or hard drive partition in the “Drive or Folder” section.

Click “OK” to confirm.

Click “Clean up,” then select “Run Cleaner” to begin deleting the selected files from your computer.

#2. Wipe a Partition – Erase All Data

File Shredder: tools Partition Master

Applies to: Permanently erase all existing files from a partition or volume, wipe out all files at once, and restore an SD card or external hard drive to its maximum capacity.

How to use:

We have two options for clearing your data. Please choose the one you need.

Option 1: Erase the partition

- Right-click the partition you want to erase data from, and select “Wipe”. - In the new window, set the time you want to wipe the partition for, then click “OK”. - Click “Execute 1 Task” in the bottom right to review your changes, then click “Apply”.

Option 2: Erase the disk

Select HDD/SSD, then right-click and choose "Erase Disk." Choose the number of times you want to overwrite the data. (You can select up to 10.) Click "OK." Click "Perform 1 Task" and then click "Apply."

#3. Wipe Files on HDD/SSD – Erase Disk

File Shredder: & Tool Partition Master

Applies to: Permanently wipe all data from the entire hard drive, erase all files from HDD/SSD, and reset hard drive at the same time.

How to use:

We have two options for erasing your data. Please choose the one you need.

Option 1. Erase the partition

1. Right-click the partition you want to wipe and select "Erase." 2. In the new window, set the time you want to erase the partition for, then click "OK." 3. Click "Execute 1 Task" in the bottom-right corner to review your changes, then click "Apply."

Option 2: Erase the disk

Select HDD/SSD, then right-click and choose "Erase Disk". Set the number of times you want to overwrite the data (up to 10 times). Then click "OK". Click "Perform 1 Task" and then click "Apply".

You might also like - List of File Shredders and Tools for 2022

Aside from the file shredder software recommended above, there are numerous tools you can use to erase files. Here are some more file shredders to try in 2022:

List of Recommended Document Shredding Software and Tools for 2022:

It's easy to securely and permanently delete files. Follow the steps now to free up space on your device.

This page explains what "shredding a file" means and offers three reliable file shredder software options to help you securely erase files from various locations on your device.

1. #1. Permanently delete one or multiple files from folders, recycle bin, or desktop.
2. #2. Wipe all files from a specific partition.
3. #3. Erase all files from the hard drive or SSD.

When it comes to straightforward file shredders, these are our editors' picks:

• To delete a file or folder, try using CCleaner. • To wipe an entire partition or hard drive, use the Partition Master tool.

After following these steps, you've successfully erased your files beyond recovery from the storage device or local hard drive. Now, you can utilize the freed space from the file shredding to save more valuable data.