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

Windows 11/10 OS includes the cipher command, which can securely wipe any previously deleted data on a drive by overwriting free space. You can use this free command line utility to permanently delete files off a flash drive.

How cipher /w: Works

When you run:

cipher /w:X:

(where X: is your flash‑drive letter), Windows will:

1. Write zeros (0x00) to every unallocated cluster.
2. Write ones (0xFF) to every unallocated cluster.
3. Write random data to every unallocated cluster.

This three‑pass process ensures that any remnants of previously deleted files—even if merely marked as “available” by the file system—are irrecoverable.

After the zero pass, you can open the drive in a hex‑editor (e.g., HxD) to confirm that empty clusters read back as 00 00 00…. For me, it is a recommended way to delete files off a flash drive on Windows 11/10 PC.

cipher /w: offers a zero‑install, offline, multi‑pass overwrite of all free space on any Windows‑accessible volume. By backing up first, optionally reformatting, and then running cipher /w:, you ensure that any previously deleted files on your flash drive are thoroughly and irretrievably erased. Schedule it via Task Scheduler for regular maintenance, and verify with a hex‑editor if you need absolute proof.