How to permanently delete files on external hard drive?

So, if you're planning to permanently delete files on external hard drive, there are a few things to keep in mind based on what I’ve come across and some personal tidbits.

First off, the main disadvantage is that once you do a proper permanently delete files on external hard drive, those files are basically gone for good. That means if you accidentally delete something important, recovery becomes super tricky or impossible unless you had backups or used special recovery tools beforehand. It’s kinda like throwing away a paper — once shredded or burned, you can't get it back.

Another thing is, some of these methods (like overwriting or encrypting then deleting) can be time-consuming and require extra tools or tech know-how. For example, securely erasing a whole external drive isn’t just a click — it might take hours, especially if the drive is big.

Plus, if you physically destroy the drive (like shredding or degaussing), it’s obviously irreversible. So, if you think you might need the data later, that’s a big no-go. It’s also a bit of a hassle since you need to have the right equipment or services, which can be costly or messy.

From my experience, the big pitfall is thinking files are gone when they’re really not—unless you do a proper, secure wipe. If you just delete normally, someone with the right tools could still recover your stuff. So, if you’re trying to keep things private or sensitive, permanent deletion is the way to go, but it comes with the downside of no recovery if you mess up.