Definitive Guide to Permanently and Completely Wipe Deleted Files from Your Device

How to Completely Remove Deleted Files

In today’s digital age, data loss can be a common occurrence due to various reasons such as accidental deletion, system crashes, or malware attacks. When you delete a file, it might seem like it’s gone forever, but there are ways to completely remove deleted files from your computer. This article will guide you through the process of permanently deleting files, ensuring that they cannot be recovered by any means.

1. Use Secure Delete Tools

One of the most effective ways to completely remove deleted files is by using secure delete tools. These tools overwrite the deleted files with random data, making them irrecoverable. Some popular secure delete tools include:

– CCleaner: This versatile tool not only cleans your system but also provides a secure delete feature to permanently erase files.
– Eraser: A free and open-source tool that allows you to securely delete files, folders, and even entire partitions.
– DBan: This tool is specifically designed for securely erasing entire drives, including deleted files.

2. Format the Drive

If you want to ensure that all deleted files are completely removed from a specific drive, formatting the drive is an effective solution. Formatting a drive will erase all data, including deleted files, and create a new file system. However, be cautious when formatting a drive, as it will permanently delete all data on the drive.

To format a drive, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the drive you want to format.
2. Right-click on the drive and select “Format.”
3. Choose the file system you want to use (e.g., NTFS, FAT32) and click “Start.”
4. Confirm the format process and wait for it to complete.

3. Use Command Prompt

Another method to completely remove deleted files is by using the Command Prompt. This method is particularly useful for advanced users who are comfortable with the command-line interface. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: `DEL /F /Q /S /A [path_to_file]`
– Replace `[path_to_file]` with the actual path of the deleted file.
3. Confirm the deletion by typing “Y” and pressing Enter.

4. Use Third-Party File Shredders

If you want a more user-friendly approach to securely delete files, consider using third-party file shredders. These tools provide an easy-to-use interface and various shredding algorithms to ensure that deleted files are completely removed. Some popular file shredders include:

– File Shredder: A free and open-source tool that offers multiple shredding algorithms and secure deletion of files.
– CyberShredder: A user-friendly tool that provides secure deletion of files, folders, and even entire drives.
– FileWiper: A comprehensive tool that offers secure deletion, file recovery, and disk cleaning features.

Conclusion

In conclusion, completely removing deleted files from your computer is essential to protect your privacy and prevent data breaches. By using secure delete tools, formatting the drive, utilizing Command Prompt, or employing third-party file shredders, you can ensure that deleted files are irrecoverable. Always exercise caution when deleting files and consider the importance of data recovery before proceeding with any deletion method.