Methods to Permanently Delete Files from a Computer / How to Permanently and Securely Delete Files on Windows.

To delete file(s) without moving to the Recycle Bin first, select the folder or files and press SHIFT+Delete (at the same time) on your keyboard. Windows  asks for confirmation before it removes the files – when you are asked “Are you sure you want to permanently delete this file(s)?”, press Yes.

 

What are the Dangers of Unsecure File Deletion?

The files we delete using either SHIFT + DELETE keys or emptying the Recycle Bin only remove them from the storage device. However, as stated earlier, only their headers and pointers are removed, and the allocated space is cleared for overwriting.

If this data is not overwritten, anyone can easily recover it with the help of an advanced file recovery software. This data can be misused to harm you in numerous ways –

• Leakage or misuse of confidential data
• Identity theft
• Exposed financial information
• Loss of reputation due to data breach

 

 

Methods to Permanently Delete Files from Your Computer

It is important to be aware of secure file erasure as it can save us from situations that could harm our privacy. And it’s equally important to know ways to permanently erase files from your PC, in a secure way. Let’s look at the methods one by one.

 

 

 

Method 1: Empty the Recycle Bin

 

Emptying the Recycle bin will ensure that you or no one can casually go and restore a deleted file after it has served its purpose. Following are different ways to empty a Recycle Bin.

• Right-click on the Recycle Bin and click on Empty Recycle Bin
• Open Recycle Bin, right-click anywhere to bring a pop-up menu and then click on Empty Recycle Bin.
• Empty the Recycle Bin by clicking on Recycle Bin Tools on the menu bar and clicking on Empty Recycle Bin.

 

Method 2: Permanently delete files using File Explorer Ribbon

 

Another quick and easy way to permanently delete files from your computer is using the File Explorer ribbon. The steps are quite simple to follow –

• Open File Explorer by pressing WINDOWS + E.
• Locate the file/s you want to delete and select them.
• Click on Home in the File Explorer ribbon.
• Locate the Delete icon and click on the down arrow under it.
• Click on Permanently Delete.

 

 

Method 3: Use SHIFT + DELETE

 

If you don’t want to use the File Explorer ribbon or empty the recycle bin every time after deleting files, you can use this direct keyboard method. It is a simple method where you have to select the files and press a key combination to delete them. Here are the steps to use this method –

• Locate and select the files you wish to permanently delete.
• Press SHIFT + DELETE.

This action will permanently delete the selected file/s from your PC. Hence, be careful while using this method and ensure you don’t accidentally delete an important file.

Page Created by:- Chinmoy Tewary

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