{"id":703,"date":"2021-05-01T08:16:55","date_gmt":"2021-05-01T08:16:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.systweak.com\/blogs\/?p=703"},"modified":"2024-03-22T18:33:53","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T13:03:53","slug":"how-to-permanently-delete-files-windows-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.systweak.com\/blogs\/how-to-permanently-delete-files-windows-10\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Permanently Delete Files from Windows 10\/11 PC"},"content":{"rendered":"

The best way to permanently delete evidence of manual paperwork is to put it in the shredder. But can the same be done for soft copies? Yes, using a tool that can securely delete documents, photos, and other files that stay on your PC even after they are removed from the Recycle Bin, you can eliminate them forever.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Should You Permanently Delete Files?<\/h3>\n

When a file is deleted, using the Delete key it is moved to Recycle Bin, which can be restored.<\/p>\n

If this makes you think pressing Shift+Delete will do the work then sadly, you are wrong there too. This is because even if the file is no longer visible to you, it still exists. Therefore, if you want a sure-shot way to delete files securely, you need a secure way. This is what we will discuss in this post.<\/p>\n

Read Also<\/strong>: How to Clean Invalid Registry Entries on Windows<\/a><\/p>\n

How To Permanently\/Securely Delete Files from the Computer<\/h2>\n

Not many people know that by using Windows’ built-in tool Cipher, you can wipe files from Windows 11,10. The tool was launched with Windows XP.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s how to use it.<\/p>\n

Step 1 – Go to the start menu and open Windows Powershell as administrator.
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Step 2 – In the opened Windows, use the command Cipher w C,<\/i> where C<\/i> is the drive’s name where your recycled files usually stay.<\/p>\n

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Remember, the command won\u2019t delete any other data. It will only wipe deleted files on Windows 11,10.<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides this, you can use Secure Delete, which Advanced System Optimizer offers. Using this module, you can wipe out substantial data permanently from the system, leaving no room for recovery. This means even when you use the finest data recovery software, you will not get back the deleted data.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Important : <\/strong>Emptying Recycle Bin does not permanently delete data. To do so, you need a tool like Secure Delete to delete files from your PC for always.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n

What is Secure Delete?<\/h3>\n

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Secure Delete is the most stable and reliable way to permanently delete deleted files from a PC. The tool overwrites the disk space with random patterns, thus reducing the chances of data recovery. This allows the permanent wiping out of the data from selected files, folders, directories, and drives and the deletion of temporary files in Windows 11 and 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

How To Use Secure Delete?<\/h3>\n

Designed with a user-friendly and comprehensible interface, Secure Delete is designed with novice users in mind. The tool completely wipes out previously deleted files and folders, the contents of the Recycle Bin, or some of the contents of a specific drive, leaving no probable chance for retrieval.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Note : <\/strong>Secure Delete should be used with full caution, as files and folders deleted once cannot be retrieved using even the finest recovery utilities.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Secure Delete – Interface<\/h3>\n

The module to permanently delete files on Windows has a very simple interface. Here, we will explain each tab and the functionality of each button.<\/span><\/p>\n

Files and Folders Tab<\/h3>\n

The whole process of securely deleting items from the system can be summarized in 4 steps:<\/span><\/p>\n

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1) Welcome<\/a><\/p>\n

2) Selection<\/a><\/p>\n

3) Wipe<\/a><\/p>\n

4) Finish<\/a><\/p>\n

Step1: Welcome<\/h4>\n

The Welcome screen guides walk us in a self-explanatory manner. Firstly, you must select the files you want to wipe completely. To do this, you can use Windows Explorer.<\/span><\/p>\n

On clicking the <\/span>\u201cSelect Files\u201d<\/b> button in the middle of the screen, you move to the next step, wherein you may select items to be deleted for all time from the system.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>System Summary<\/b> is displayed in the lower half of the screen, giving you details such as Last Wiped, Items Wiped, Space Recovered, and <\/span>Items Wiped to Date<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step2: Selection<\/h4>\n

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Select Files and Folders to be Permanently Deleted.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Select the files and folders to be securely deleted. You may click the <\/span>\u201cAdd File\u201d<\/b> and <\/span>\u201cAdd Folder\u201d<\/b>. The <\/span>\u201cRemove\u201d<\/b> button allows removing added files and folders from the list.<\/span><\/p>\n

To select the items, click the corresponding checkbox and click on the <\/span>\u201cNext\u201d<\/b> button.<\/span><\/p>\n

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To delete selected files and folders, enter the confirmation code in the box and hit Next.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Change Wipe Method<\/strong><\/p>\n

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There are three types of wipe methods: Secure Delete is used to wipe out the data completely.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Wipe Method used as the default method can be changed by clicking on the \u201cChange\u201d link. This opens a new window showing the three Wipe Methods. Depending on your choice, you may keep the default Wipe Method or change it to another. You may return to the default method by clicking the \u201cDefault\u201d button if changed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Note : <\/strong>We will explain the three types under Settings.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

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Once you have made the choice, you may click the \u201c<\/span>Continue<\/b>\u201d button to proceed with secure deletion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step3: Wipe<\/h4>\n

Before permanently wiping out the selected files and folders, Secure Delete asks for the user\u2019s confirmation to do so. The removal process starts if the user types \u201cYES\u201d in the confirmation box. (<\/span>Note:<\/b> Data deleted by Secure Delete is unrecoverable)<\/span><\/p>\n

The \u201cCancel\u201d<\/b> button takes you to the previous screen, and the <\/span>\u201cNext\u201d<\/b> button wipes out the selected files and folders forever.<\/span><\/p>\n

You may click the \u201cStop\u201d button at any time to stop the process of secure deletion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step4: Finish<\/h4>\n

The last step summarizes the secure deletion process, showing the total number and volume of files and folders wiped from the system.<\/span><\/p>\n

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To add more files for removal, click on the \u201cWipe More Files\u201d button. By clicking on the \u201cFinish\u201d button, you can return to the main\/welcome screen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recycle Bin Tab<\/h3>\n

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Removing items from the Recycle Bin that are in it is important. These items may hold critical personal information and can be easily recovered if not securely deleted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read Also<\/strong> : How To Defrag Disk Windows 10<\/a><\/p>\n

Secure Delete destroys the already deleted data of the Recycle Bin in 5 simple steps (see left panel):<\/span><\/p>\n

1) Welcome<\/a><\/p>\n

2) Scan<\/a><\/p>\n

3) Results<\/a><\/p>\n

4) Wipe<\/a><\/p>\n

5) Finish<\/a><\/p>\n

Step1: Welcome<\/h4>\n

Items in the Recycle Bin or already deleted items from the Recycle Bin should not be accessible to others. To securely delete items from the Recycle Bin, click on the <\/span>\u201cStart Scan Now\u201d<\/b> button to initiate the scan process.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step2: Scan<\/h4>\n

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Scanning – Recycle Bin<\/strong><\/p>\n

Secure Delete from Windows 11,10 will thoroughly analyze the Recycle Bin and detect files and folders that should be permanently wiped out of the system to keep the user\u2019s privacy intact.<\/span><\/p>\n

The process may be aborted by clicking on the <\/span>\u201cCancel\u201d<\/b> button.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step3: Results<\/h4>\n

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Scan Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

The scan results show the number and volume of items in the Recycle Bin that need secure deletion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clicking on the <\/span>\u201cCancel\u201d<\/b> button stops the scan, and clicking the <\/span>\u201cWipe Now\u201d<\/b> button initiates the removal process.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step4: Wipe<\/h4>\n

Wiping \u2013 Recycle Bin<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before removing the items, Secure Delete takes the user\u2019s confirmation and waits unless the security code is not typed in the confirmation box. The <\/span>\u201cCancel\u201d<\/b> button will take you to the main\/welcome screen.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Once done, clicking the <\/span>\u201cWipe\u201d<\/b> button starts the removal procedure for the items of the Recycle Bin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Change Wipe Method<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Click on the link <\/span>\u201cChange\u201d<\/b> to change the default Wipe Method. A new window will open, showing the three different methods. You may keep the default Wipe Method or change it to another, depending on your choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you change, you may return to the default method by clicking the \u201cDefault\u201d button. Once you have made your choice, you may click the <\/span>\u201cContinue\u201d<\/b> button to continue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Any time during the process, you may click the <\/span>\u201cStop\u201d<\/b> button to terminate the wiping process.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step5: Finish<\/h4>\n

The last step shows the summary of removal. It shows the number and volume of items wiped out from the Recycle Bin.<\/span><\/p>\n

To rescan the Recycle Bin for more files and folders, click on \u201cWipe More Files.\u201d Alternatively, you can click on the \u201cFinish\u201d button to return to the main\/welcome screen and perform the same action mentioned above.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drive Tab<\/h3>\n

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Secure Delete assists in permanently removing the previously deleted items from the drives, wipes out the entire drive with all its contents, or securely deletes the free space of the selected drive.<\/span><\/p>\n

The action is simplified into 5 steps (see left panel<\/span><\/p>\n

1) Welcome<\/a><\/p>\n

2) Scan<\/a><\/p>\n

3) Results<\/a><\/p>\n

4) Wipe<\/a><\/p>\n

5) Finish<\/a><\/p>\n

Step1: Welcome<\/h4>\n

Three actions have to be performed on this screen. The first two are numbered.<\/span><\/p>\n

1) Select the Hard Drive for wiping:<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

You may select the hard drive from the drop-down list you wish to scan for deleted files and folders. This is important because deleted files are not removed from the drive and can be retrieved easily.<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Select an option:<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are three options provided, which are explained hereunder.<\/span><\/p>\n