How to delete files off a flash drive safely from computer?

Eraser is a lightweight, open‑source Windows application that integrates seamlessly with File Explorer. It lets you overwrite specific files, folders, or entire volumes using industry‑standard algorithms (including DoD 5220.22‑M, Gutmann, and others), ensuring that deleted data cannot be recovered even with forensic tools. Because it’s fully offline once installed, you retain full control over the process without exposing your data to any online service.

How to delete files off a flash drive on Windows PC

1. Open Eraser from the Start menu. Click “New Task…” in the toolbar. In the dialog that appears, set Task Type to “Erase Data”.

2. Under Data to Erase, click “Add…” → “Erase Folder or Drive”. In the file‑picker, browse to your flash drive (e.g. E:\) and select the root. Confirm that you’ve chosen the entire drive, not just individual files.

3. Click “Method” and pick from the list. For most needs, 3‑pass DoD 5220.22‑M strikes the best balance of speed and security.

4. Back in the main Eraser window, right‑click your new task and choose “Run”. A progress window will show pass‑by‑pass status, including bytes written and estimated time remaining.

5. Once complete, Eraser will report success. And you can check if the files are deleted off from the USB flash drive.

Why it's safe:
• Offers multiple overwrite schemes for extra peace of mind.
• Can schedule wipes and integrates with Explorer for file‑ or folder‑level erasure.