Do you know documents, photos, and other files stay on your PC even after they are removed from Recycle Bin?
This is the reason why data recovery tools can get back deleted files. So, if you want to permanently wipe files from Windows 11 or 10 here’s an easy way to do it.
Why should you permanently delete files?
The best way to permanently delete evidence of manual paperwork is to put them in the shredder. But can the same be done for soft copies?
Well, that isn’t possible because when a file is deleted, using the Delete key it is moved to Recycle Bin, which can be restored.
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 permanently, you need a secure way. This is what we will discuss in this post.
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How To permanently delete files from the computer?
Not many people know, that by using Windows in-built tool Cipher you can wipe files from Windows 11,10. The tool was launched with Windows XP.
Here’s how to use it.
Note : Cipher securely erases files that have already been deleted. To run it press Windows X Windows PowerShell Admin. Type cipher w C
C is the drive letter. You can change it. Remember, the command won’t delete any other data. It will only wipe deleted files on Windows 11,10.
Besides this, you can use Secure Delete, offered by Advanced System Optimizer. Using this module, you can wipe out the substantial data permanently from the system giving no room for any recovery. This means even when you use the finest the data recovery software you will not get back the deleted data.
Important : Emptying Recycle Bin does not permanently delete data. To do so, you need a tool like Secure Delete to permanently delete files from your PC.
What is Secure Delete?
Secure Delete is the most stable and reliable way to scrap off deleted files permanently from a PC. The tool overwrites the disk space with random patterns thus cutting down the chances of data recovery. This allows permanently wiping out the data from selected files, folders, directories, and drives and deleting temporary files Windows 11, 10.
Why is it important to permanently delete files from the PC?
Many of us would not know when a file is deleted from the system, it’s only the reference that is deleted. This means the files with their contents are still present in an invisible form on the disk. Due to this, unless the space from which the file has been removed is not overwritten using a data recovery tool we are able to restore deleted or lost files, photos, videos, etc.
Also, if the exact file size doesn’t overwrite the whole of the free space, a major or a minor chunk of data will still be readable. Hence, it is necessary to protect our personal information from unauthorized hands using some technique which expertise in deleting the data permanently makes you feel safe.
How To Permanently Delete Files From Windows PC using Secure Delete?
It is a fact that data deleted from the system is not permanently removed, it remains there on the system. Using various recovery tools, available in the market this deleted data can be recovered. But if you don’t want this deleted data to be restored a tool like Secure Delete is needed. This amazing module is provided by Advanced System Optimizer – the free PC Optimizer that overwrites this free space and references of deleted data is required.
Secure Delete makes sure that all the data in free space on the hard disk is no longer readable and recoverable. It identifies the free spaces on the disk where the previously deleted cluster of data still exists and overwrites these spaces with random digits or patterns thus permanently wiping out the data. Data can be overwritten several times to ensure the least chances of recovery.
How To use Secure Delete?
Designed with a user-friendly and comprehensible interface, Secure Delete keeps novice users in mind. The tool helps permanently wipe out the previously deleted files and folders, contents of the Recycle Bin, or some contents of a specific drive, leaving no probable chance for retrieval.
Note : Secure Delete should be used with full caution as files and folders deleted once cannot be retrieved using the finest of recovery utilities.
Secure Delete – Interface
The module to permanently delete files on windows comes with a very simple interface. Here we will explain each tab and the functionality of each button.
Files and Folders Tab
The whole process of securely deleting items from the system can be summarized in 4 steps:
Step1: Welcome
The Welcome screen guides walk us in a self-explanatory manner. Firstly, you need to select the files that you want to completely wipe. For this can use Windows Explorer.
On clicking on the “Select Files” button in the middle of the screen, you move to the next step, wherein you may select items to be permanently deleted from the system.
The System Summary is displayed in the lower half of the screen which gives you the details viz Last Wiped, Items Wiped, Space Recovered, Items Wiped to Date.
Step2: Selection
Select Files and Folders to be Permanently Deleted.
Select the files and folders to be securely deleted. You may click on the “Add File” and “Add Folder”. The “Remove” button allows removing added files and folders from the list.
To select the items click the corresponding checkbox and click on the “Next” button.
To wipe out selected files and folders you need to enter the confirmation code in the box and hit Next.
Change Wipe Method
There are three types of wipe methods; Secure Delete uses to wipe out the data permanently.
The Wipe Method used as a default method can be changed by clicking on the “Change” link. This opens a new window showing the three Wipe Methods. You may keep the default Wipe Method or change it to some other depending upon the choice you make. If changed, you may return to the default method by clicking on the “Default” button.
Note : We will explain the three types under Settings.
Once the choice is made, you may click on the “Continue” button to continue the process of secure deletion.
Step3: Wipe
Before permanently wiping out the selected files and folders, Secure Delete asks for the user’s confirmation to do so. If the user types “YES” in the confirmation box, the removal process starts. (Note: Data deleted by Secure Delete is unrecoverable)
The “Cancel” button takes you to the previous screen and the “Next” button starts wiping out the selected files and folders permanently.
To stop the process of secure deletion, you may click on the “Stop” button at any time.
Step4: Finish
The last step shows the summary of the secure deletion process. It shows the total number and volume of files and folders wiped out from the system.
To add some more files for removal, you may click on the button “Wipe More Files”. By clicking on the “Finish” button, you may go back to the main/welcome screen.
Recycle Bin Tab
It is important to remove items from the Recycle Bin that are in it.. These items may hold critical personal information and can be easily recovered if not securely deleted.
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Secure Delete destroys the already deleted data of the Recycle Bin in 5 simple steps (see left panel):
Step1: Welcome
The items in the Recycle Bin or already deleted items from Recycle Bin should not be accessible to others. To securely delete the items from the Recycle Bin, click on the “Start Scan Now” button to initiate the scan process.
Step2: Scan
Scanning – Recycle Bin
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 for keeping the user’s privacy intact.
The process may be aborted by clicking on the “Cancel” button.
Step3: Results
Scan Results
The scan results show the number and volume of items found in the Recycle Bin which need secure deletion.
Clicking on the “Cancel” button stops the scan and click on the “Wipe Now” button initiates the removal process.
Step4: Wipe
Wiping – Recycle Bin
Before removing the items, Secure Delete takes the user’s confirmation and waits unless the security code is not typed in the confirmation box. The “Cancel” button will take you to the main/welcome screen.
Once done, clicking the “Wipe” button starts the removal procedure for the items of the Recycle Bin.
Change Wipe Method
Click on the link “Change” to change the default Wipe Method. A new window opens showing the three different methods. You may keep the default Wipe Method or change it to some other depending upon the choice you make.
If changed, you may return to the default method by clicking on the “Default” button. Once the choice is made, you may click on the “Continue” button to continue the process of secure deletion.
Any time during the process, you may click on the “Stop” button to terminate the wiping process.
Step5: Finish
The last step shows the summary of removal. It shows the number and volume of items wiped out from the Recycle Bin.
To rescan the Recycle Bin for more files and folders click on “Wipe More Files”. Also, by clicking on the “Finish” button, you may go back to the main/welcome screen and perform the same action mentioned above.
Drive Tab
Secure Delete assists in removing the previously deleted items of the drives permanently or helps in wiping out the entire drive with all its contents or securely deletes the free space of the selected drive.
The action is simplified into 5 steps (see left panel):
Step1: Welcome
Three actions have to be performed on this screen. The first two are numbered.
1) Select Hard Drive for wiping:
From the drop-down list, you may select the hard drive you wish to scan for the files and folders already deleted. This is important because the deleted files are actually not removed from the drive and can be retrieved easily.
2) Select an option:
There are three options provided which are explained hereunder.
- Wipe deleted files only – Choose this option to permanently wipe out the files which have been previously deleted from the selected hard drive.
- Wipe the entire drive – Choose this option to securely delete all the contents (existing and previously deleted) of the selected drive so that nothing is recoverable.
- Wipe free space – Choose this option to identify the free space and overwrite data on it so that no chances of data retrieval are left.
Note: The “Settings” tab can change these settings.
Once you choose the hard drive and the kind of wipe to do, you can continue the process by clicking on “Start Scan Now”.
Step2: Scan
Scanning
Secure Delete performs an extensive scan on the selected hard disk. The progress bar in the screen’s lower half shows the scan’s progress.
In case, you want to discontinue the process, you may click on the “Cancel” button.
Step3: Results
Scan Results
Once the scan is through, the scan results are put forth.
On clicking on the “Wipe Now” button, securely delete the files and folders found in the scan.
The “Cancel” button takes you back to the Welcome screen. You may then select another drive on the hard disk to conduct a scan on it.
Step4: Wipe
Before removing the items, Secure Delete takes the user’s confirmation, enters the code to proceed. The “Cancel” button will take you to the main/welcome screen.
Clicking on “Wipe” starts the wiping process.
Step5: Finish
The last step shows the summary of the wiping process.
Clicking on “Wipe More Files” will take you to the Welcome screen to begin the wiping process for the next drive.
The “Finish” button also does the same job. It takes you back to the Welcome screen to initiate a scan for the remaining drives.
Settings Tab
Some settings can be changed using the option given under this section.
Drive Settings
Under this setting type, you may:
Set default drive for the wiping process
Select the drive from the dropdown menu to set a drive for default scanning. This infers as you hit the button “Start Scan Now”, the default drive will be scanned
Set default option for wiping process
There are three options given for the wiping process.
- Wipe deleted files only – Choose this option to permanently wipe out the files that have been previously deleted from the selected hard drive.
- Wipe the entire drive – Choose this option to securely delete all the contents (existing and previously deleted) of the selected drive so that nothing is recoverable.
- Wipe free space – Choose this option to identify the free space and overwrite data reducing chances of data retrieval.
Wipe Settings
There are three Wipe Methods provided in Secure Delete. Each method is a combination of different levels of speed and security.
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You may choose either of the three according to your choice. But one thing should be remembered: the faster the removal process, the less secure it is. This is because numerous times, the data is overwritten, more time is consumed in doing this, and it becomes more difficult to recover.
- Fast Secure Delete
This method is the fastest but less secure way of deletion. Deleted data can be recovered using microscopic examination of disks. (Single Pass – data is overwritten once by random digits).
- Random fill data streams
This method is a little slower but more secure. There are remote chances of data recovery using microscopic examination of disks. (Three Passes – data is overwritten thrice by random digits).
- Secure Delete
This method is the most secure but the slowest. There are hardly any chances of retrieving the data using the microscopic examination of disks. (Seven Passes – data is overwritten seven times by random digits). It is the safest mode and, therefore, is recommended.
This is it. Using these simple steps and Secure Delete,, you can permanently delete temporary files and other deleted data from your PC.
Secure Delete module, offered by the best PC cleanup and optimization software, works flawlessly to shred deleted data. We hope we have made our point and you have the answer for permanently deleting files from the computer.
If you have any questions regarding Secure Delete or Advanced System Optimizer please get in touch with our technical support team at support@systweak.com
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