How To: Permanently Remove Files in Windows

Whenever a file is deleted from your computer, some bits remain well sunken into the sectors of your hard disk drive, with some chances to bring it back with special applications. If a file is not in the Recycle Bin after removal, it doesn’t mean it’s completely gone.

If you don’t care who else has access to your files, a simple deletion process will have to do. You can even tweak the Recycle Bin so it automatically throws stuff away. However, it’s better off to download a special application that can perform different algorithms to make sure files can no longer be brought back.

This method is called file shredding or wiping. It’s based on overwriting the sector in which the target sits over and over again, making sure the trace is forever lost. The more passes an operation performs, the less chances to get the file back.

Quick permanent delete

Step 1: Just so you don’t have to hold Shift every time you delete a file, right-click the Recycle Bin.

Step 2: Select the Properties list entry.

Step 3: Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin is the option you need to tick.

Optional step 1: Right-click an empty desktop space and select personalize.

Optional step 2: Choose to Change desktop icons from the left panel.

Optional step 3: Uncheck the Recycle Bin icon to no longer have it on your desktop.

Note: Files removed this way can still be brought back using specialized applications.

Using other programs

Step 1: Download, install, and run Eraser.

Step 2: Right-click the empty interface space and select New Schedule.

Step 3: Hit the Add Data button and Browse for target files.

Step 4: Click OK to confirm file selection.

Step 5: Right-click on the new list item and press Start.

Note: This is just the easiest and quickest solution. For more options, visit the Settings menu in order to change method used, randomness data source, or even scheduler settings for recurring cleaning activities.

This method ensures that no matter what you do to bring back files, they stay gone. For accidental deletion, you can use dedicated apps to recover files.