Have you ever wished or thought if you could get rid of one or the other file permanently? If yes, we have you covered.
If you do not want anyone to access your confidential data like some important financial or banking documents, or some business document that can be misused by the people who want to get their hands on your private stuff. To protect your privacy, it is important to delete such files permanently from the hard disk and make them unrecoverable. Also, deleting files permanently is also helpful when you’re thinking of selling your PC to someone else.
So, if you want to know the ways to permanently get rid of files on your computer, this guide has got you covered.
When Should I Permanently Delete Files?
- While selling your laptop or computer.
- Some files on your hard drive contain viruses.
- Erasing all the sensitive data that is no longer of use.
Table of Contents
Ways To Permanently Delete Files On Windows
1. The Easiest Way
The best and the quickest way to completely get rid of a file, folder, picture or a document is to press Shift + Delete keys together. Doing this will not create a pile of deleted files in the Recycle Bin, rather will delete the files permanently. When you press these keys together, you’ll be asked if you are sure to permanently delete files, click on Yes here and the file will be completely deleted.
Important Note: Even if you permanently delete files using this way, it can be recovered using a powerful data recovery utility. If you’re looking for one, we’d suggest using Advanced Disk Recovery- a smart data recovery utility for Windows devices.
2. The Fastest Way
Well, if you find pressing Shift+Delete keys together tough, you can tweak settings a bit to permanently delete files from your system or hard drive in a go. This way will ensure that your files are permanently deleted and not present anywhere on the hard drive. Here’s how to delete files permanently on Windows the other way:
- Head to Desktop.
- Navigate to Recycle Bin and then right-click on it to open the context menu.
- Click on Recycle Bin Properties.
- Then, mark the circle beside ‘Don’t Move files to the Recycle Bin, Remove files immediately when deleted’.
- Then, checkmark ‘Display delete confirmation dialog box’.
- Click on Apply and then OK.
That’s it! This way you can quickly get rid of files permanently as soon as you press the Delete button. But, again there’s a loophole, the hackers can easily get their hands on your files and recover the deleted files easily. So, for permanent deletion it is recommended to have a file shredding utility to permanently delete files making them irrecoverable.
Delete Your Files Permanently Using A Dedicated Tool: Advanced System Optimizer
Last but not least, you can always use a dedicated software to delete files located on your hard drive or anywhere on your computer. You can consider cleaning the entire disk in one take but always remember that while deleting files using a shedding utility, they become irrecoverable and hence you can never get them back. So, it is advised that you choose your files wisely.
We recommend you to use Advanced System Optimizer’s Secure Delete module. Advanced System Optimizer is a free PC utility that you can use to optimize your PC, securely delete your confidential files making them irrecoverable, and a lot more. To start using this amazing utility, follow the steps below:
- Download and register for the Advanced System Optimizer to get complete access.
- From the welcome screen, head to Security & Privacy.
- Now, click on Secure Delete.
- On the next screen, click on the Select Files icon.
- When you click on the Select Files tab, you can either add single or multiple files or even the entire folder. For this, click on either Add Files or Add Folders.
- Browse through your computer files and folders. Select the one you wish to ‘Secure Delete’ and click on Open.
- Once you have added the files or folder to the software, click on Next and follow the onscreen instructions further to permanently delete files and folders.
Disclaimer: While you are using the Secure Delete feature under Advanced System Optimizer, it is advised that you are absolutely sure of deleting them because you won’t be able to undo the actions.
Final Words
So, these were some of the best tried and tested ways to permanently delete files from your hard drive or system. You can always choose from manual or automatic ways to completely remove files from a system. However, using a dedicated utility is better as it does not leave any traces behind. While you use Advanced System Optimizer’s Secure Delete, you cannot recover the deleted files by any means.
Did you find us helpful? Do share your feedback with us in the comments section below.