How do I delete files permanently from y computer and make it unrecoverable?

[EthanHernandez]

Hi everyone, I was organizing my computer recently and found some old files and sensitive data that I want to completely delete. I don't want these files to be restored, and I feel that ordinary deletion methods, such as right-clicking to delete or emptying the Recycle Bin, may still leave traces of data. I have heard of some methods, such as using special software or command line operations, but I am not familiar with these.

I hope to find a simple and effective method to delete files permanently from my computer and make it unrecoverable. Does anyone have good suggestions or experience to share? Thank you very much for your help!

[#2]

@EthanHernandez 

Format the entire hard drive, but be careful to select the "thorough format" option, which will erase all data. Before doing this, make sure to back up the files you need to keep.

[#3]

When a file is deleted on Windows, it is not permanently gone immediately.  Initially, when you delete a file, it is typically moved to the Recycle Bin. This allows for easy recovery if needed. The file remains in the Recycle Bin until you empty it, at which point it is marked for deletion. 

So, while a deleted file is not immediately and permanently gone, the likelihood of recovering it decreases as new data is written to the disk. You have to overwrite the space in order to delete files permanently from computer and This action makes the deleted files unrecoverable.

[#4]

When you empty the Recycle Bin or delete a file permanently from computer (e.g., using Shift + Delete), the file itself isn't immediately erased from the disk. Instead, the space it occupies is marked as available for new data. The file's entry in the file system is removed,  which makes it invisible and inaccessible through normal means.

Even after permanent deletion, the actual data remains on the disk until it's overwritten by new data. Specialized data recovery tools can often recover these files if the sectors containing the data haven't been overwritten.

[#5]

The Cipher tool on Windows 10 is a command-line utility that is primarily used for managing encryption on NTFS drives, but it also has a feature that allows for the secure deletion of data. One of the most useful features of the Cipher tool is its ability to securely overwrite the free space on a drive. This prevents the recovery of files that have been previously deleted.

Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following command: cipher /w:C:\ (replace C:\ with the drive letter where the deleted files were located). This command will overwrite free space on the drive and permanently delete files on PC without recovery.

After deleting sensitive files, use Cipher with the /w option to ensure the data cannot be recovered.

[#6]

@EthanHernandez Actually, the Disk Cleanup tool in Windows does not include a specific option to "wipe free space" to securely remove traces of deleted files. The Disk Cleanup tool is primarily used for cleaning up unnecessary files on your hard drive, such as temporary files, system cache, and old system restore points. However, it does not provide a feature to overwrite or wipe free space on the disk.

To permanently delete files from hard drive, open Disk Cleanup, select the drive you want to clean, click "Clean up system files," check the "Wipe Free Space" option, and run the cleanup. This will overwrite the free space on the drive, making recovery of deleted files impossible.

[#7]

When it comes to delete files permanently on a Windows computer, first off, you've got the whole issue of recovery. Sure, if you want to make a file unrecoverable, you can use tools that overwrite the space where those files were. But that process can be a bit of a pain. You have to find the right software, learn how to use it, and it often takes some time to run. If you're in a hurry, that's just one more hurdle to jump over.

[#8]

@EthanHernandez Use a file shredder tool to help you solve the problem.

A file shredder is a software tool designed to permanently delete files by overwriting the data multiple times, making it virtually impossible to recover the files using data recovery software. Unlike simply deleting a file and sending it to the Recycle Bin, or even using Shift + Delete, which removes the file's reference from the file system, a file shredder ensures that the actual data is irretrievably destroyed.

File shredders overwrite the data in a file with random patterns of 1s and 0s multiple times. This process is known as data wiping or data erasure. The more times the file is overwritten, the less likely it is that any remnants of the original data can be recovered.

This is a very simple and safe way to permanently delete files from computer without recovery in Windows 10 as far as I know.

[#9]

Using the Cipher tool to permanently delete files on a Windows computer can sound like a smart move. But if you're not a tech wizard, the command line can be a bit intimidating. I mean, typing commands feels like you're entering some kind of secret code, right? One slip-up, and you might end up doing something you didn't intend, like wiping the wrong drive—yikes! I've had moments where I've had my heart in my throat after realizing I typed the wrong letter and was about to wipe out a whole drive. Definitely not fun.

[#10]

Some file eraser offer the option to wipe the free space on a drive. This process overwrites all the space on the disk that has been marked as free, ensuring that any previously deleted files cannot be recovered. After shredding, the file is permanently deleted. The space it occupied on the disk is marked as available for new data, and the original file contents are no longer retrievable.

In addition to individual files, some file eraser tools can securely erase entire drives or partitions, which is particularly useful before disposing of or repurposing storage devices. This is more recommended way to permanently delete files on Windows 11 computer.

In summary, a file eraser provides a secure way to delete files by ensuring that the data is permanently erased and cannot be recovered.

[#11]

In my experience, using a file shredder can be a good move when you delete files permanently from Windows computer. But if I'm just trying to clean up my desktop, I usually just go for the regular delete option. It saves time and lessens the risk of making a costly mistake. In short, a file shredder is great for one-and-done jobs with sensitive data, but you've gotta be super mindful about what you're shredding and be ready to deal with the potential drawbacks.

[#12]

Why you should use a file eraser for delete files permanently from computer?

Security: To protect sensitive information, such as financial data, personal files, or confidential business documents, from unauthorized access after deletion.

Compliance: In some industries, securely deleting data is necessary to comply with data protection regulations.

Preventing Recovery: To ensure that deleted files cannot be recovered by data recovery tools, which is essential when preparing a device for sale, donation, or disposal.

How to permanently delete files on Windows 11 or Windows 10? Based on the above facts, using a dedicated file eraser is more advisable option!

[#13]

About deleting files permanently from computer. Depending on the software, some file erasers can cost pretty penny. There are free versions out there, but they might come with limited features or ads. I've once splurged on a paid version, expecting it to be a miracle worker, only to discover it didn't perform significantly better than the free stuff I'd tried.