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Wilsey YoungSummary: This post shows how to permanently delete files on PC, which involves using different tools on Windows 10/11. iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows is strongly recommended for permanently deleting files or wiping disks, ensuring the deleted data cannot be recovered. -From m3datarecovery.com
When you delete a file or folder, using regular method, from your Windows PC, Windows OS simply removes the file's reference from the file system, and the file system marks the space it occupied as available for reuse, which means the actual data still remains on the storage device until the new data overwrites them. This typically explains why the deleted data can often be recovered.
It is self-evident that the data leaks may happen as the likelihood of restoring the deleted data on a PC exists. Therefore, many PC users fret about the safety of their privacy and sensitive information, and they wonder how to delete files without chances of data recovery.
This post introduces how to permanently delete files on PC installed with the Windows 10/11 operating system.
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Reddit discussions on how to permanently delete files on PC
Permanently deleting files from a PC arouses heated discussions in the post on Reddit, where the original poster asked for suggestions on permanent deletion. Netizens briefly explained what permanent deletion involves and shared their tips on how to permanently delete files on PC. You can view the following Reddit post for detailed information.
How do you delete data from you laptop or pc permanently?
by u/eternity4567 in PrivacyGuides
What is permanent deletion and when do you need it?
Unlike the typical deletion process, permanently deleting a file typically involves overwriting the original data with random data (e.g. zeros or characters) once or multiple times to make data recovery extremely difficult or impossible through any means.
Before learning how to permanently delete files on PC, we should understand the situations in which permanent deletion may be needed.
- Before lending, selling, or decommissioning a storage device: Deleting sensitive files permanently before lending, selling, or decommissioning a storage devices ensures the files cannot be recovered by others.
- Storage device sharing: When two or more users share one PC or storage device, such as USB flash drive, deleting your sensitive files permanently is necessary sometimes.
- Hard drive failure or upgrade: If you're replacing a hard drive or upgrading, learning how to permanently delete files on the old one is crucial for preventing possible data leakage.
- Fresh installation of Windows OS: If you plan to reinstall Windows and want to ensure that no remnants of old data remain on the disk, permanently deleting files can prevent data leakage.
How to permanently delete files on PC with Windows 10/11 OS?
Here we introduces different ways to permanently delete files on your PC with Windows 10/11 OS, which involves using shortcut keys, File Explorer Ribbon, Command Prompt, PowerShell, and third-party tool.
Permanently delete files on PC via iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows
iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows is a professional and intuitive disk management tool, which is an ideal choice for those who want to permanently delete files on PC in a secure and efficient way. The "File shredder" feature in this tool allows you to shred a single file or folder on your PC or storage devices, such as HDD, SSD, USB drive, etc.
With iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows, shredding the selected file or folder involves writing zeros to the original data, which makes the data irrecoverable. In addition, it won't destroy any other files on the device.
Here's how to permanently delete files on PC via iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows:
- Download, install, and launch iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows.
- Click "File shredder" in the “Secure data wipe” module in the main interface.
- Alternatively, click “Secure data wipe” and choose “File shredder.”
- Click the add button (+) to add a file or folder you want to wipe.
- Select the file or folder and click "Yes" to add it.
- Check "Clear indexes" if you want to delete the properties of the file from the disk, including its name and location on the disk, and other metadata. Then, click "Shred."
- Click "Yes" on the confirmation window.
- Wait for the file shredding process to finish.
You can also use this tool to wipe a disk or partition, which involves writing data to original data's location, ensuring the wiped data is unrecoverable: How to Wipe a USB Drive on Windows? Simple Methods!
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Permanently delete files on PC via Shift+Delete keys
You can use the combination keys (shortcut keys) on keyboard to permanently delete files on PC by bypassing the Recycle Bin, and here's how:
Note: This method only bypasses Recycle Bin and does not involve the process of overwriting.
- Open File Explorer and select the file you want to permanently delete.
- To select all files, press Ctrl+A keys.
- To select specific files, hold Ctrl key and left-click on each file.
- Hold the Shift key and press the Delete (or abbr. Del) key to delete the file permanently.
Permanently delete files on PC via File Explorer Ribbon
You can permanently delete files or folders using the File Explorer Ribbon, which contains the "Permanently delete" function.
Note: This method only bypasses Recycle Bin and does not involve the process of overwriting.
- Open File Explorer and select the file you want to permanently delete.
- To select all files, press Ctrl+A keys.
- To select specific files, hold Ctrl key and left-click on each file.
- Click the triangle icon next to the Delete option and tap on "Permanently delete" from the drop-down menu.
Permanently delete files on PC via del /f Command Prompt
Command Prompt is a text-based command-line interface that allows you to execute tasks by typing commands. Here's how to permanently delete files on PC via Command Prompt:
Note: This method only bypasses Recycle Bin and does not involve the process of overwriting.
- Confirm the path and name of the file, including extension, you want to delete in File Explorer.
- Type cmd in the Start menu search bar and choose "Run as administrator."
- Type the following command, replace DRIVE-LETTER with the letter of the drive where the file is located, and replace FOLDER-PATH and FILE-NAME.EXTENSION with the corresponding information (as shown in the picture below).
- Hit the "Enter" key on your keyboard to execute.
del /f DRIVE-LETTER:\FOLDER-PATH\FILE-NAME.EXTENSION
Permanently delete files on PC via cipher Command Prompt
The cipher /w: command involves overwriting the deleted file with random data, ensuring the deleted file cannot be recovered. In other words, this command can only be executed after deleting your file in a regular way.
Warning: To prevent data loss, we suggest backing up your important data on the disk before executing this command. Please close all other applications while running the CIPHER /w command.
- Deleting the target file using regular ways. For example, right-click on the file and tap on “Delete.”
- Type cmd in the Start menu search bar and choose "Run as administrator."
- Type the following command, replace "DRIVE-LETTER" with the actual letter of the drive where the deleted file was located, and replace FOLDER-PATH and FILE-NAME.EXTENSION with related information(as shown in the picture below).
- Hit the "Enter" key on your keyboard.
cipher /w:DRIVE-LETTER:\FOLDER-PATH\FILE-NAME.EXTENSION
This command can overwrite the empty space on the C: drive (where deleted files may still exist), so you can directly run this command without providing the folder or file path, for example: cipher /w: C:
cipher /w:C:
Permanently delete files on PC via PowerShell
PowerShell is a command-line shell and scripting language designed for managing and automating administrative tasks in Windows OS.
Here's how to permanently delete files on PC via PowerShell:
- Confirm the folder path and name of the file you want to delete in File Explorer.
- Type PowerShell in the Start menu search bar and choose "Run as administrator."
- Type the command below, replace DRIVE-LETTER, FOLDER-PATH, and FILE-NAME.EXTENSION with the actual information(see example below).
- Hit the "Enter" key on your keyboard.
Remove-Item -Path DRIVE-LETTER:\FOLDER-PATH\FILE-NAME.EXTENSION
Conclusion
Deleting files using shortcut keys, File Explorer Ribbon, or del /f command just bypasses the Recycle Bin, which makes the deleted files remain recoverable. iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows can help you shred the selected file by writing zeros over data's location, ensuring the file cannot be recovered.
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