We all know that deleting a file in Windows doesn't really remove it from your hard drive–that file may be stored in the Recycle Bin, which keeps it intact in case you wish to restore it. Fifty-fifty if you lot bypass or empty the Recycle Bin, the file's clusters withal reside on the disk unless they're overwritten with other information. And even then, a professional person recovery product can often restore an overwritten file.

You may want to completely and securely delete a file if it contains sensitive data, or if you program to dispose of your reckoner and want to exist sure no one can access or view the file. You can turn to a third-party deletion or shredding tool that fully deletes a file by overwriting information technology multiple times with random information and so the file is virtually impossible to recover.

To remove files, these programs support various erasure methods or algorithms, including ones divers by the The states authorities. Many such tools (free and paid) are available. In this commodity, we'll look at iii gratis products: Eraser, File Shredder, and Freeraser. All three programs are compatible with any desktop version of Windows from XP to 10; Eraser, File Shredder, and Freeraser also piece of work with Windows Server.

See: How to get users on lath with essential security measures (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

Eraser

Eraser tin securely delete individual files, whole folders, entire disk drives or partitions, and even unused space on a disk. The program adds itself to File Explorer and then you lot tin easily select a file, a folder, or a drive to erase. Y'all can also gear up diverse tasks to run manually, run each time yous load Windows, or run on a scheduled footing.

Download and install Eraser from its website. Later on installation, open the program, select Settings, and make sure the selection to Integrate Eraser Into Windows Explorer is enabled if you want to remove files via Explorer. Open up File Explorer. Right-click on a file you wish to remove. Hover over the Eraser command in the pop-up menu and click Erase (Figure A). Eraser asks for confirmation to erase the file. Answer Yeah, and then the file is deleted.

Effigy A

To fix upwardly a task, open Eraser. Click the down arrow next to Erase Schedule and select New Job. At the Job window, type a name for your job. Click the Add Data button and select the file, folder, or other content you lot want to erase. Click the drop-downwardly box for Erasure Method to choose a specific erasing standard. Click OK. Y'all can now schedule the job or click OK to close the Task window and and so run information technology manually (Effigy B).

Figure B

I used Eraser to remove several files and folders. I then checked the deleted files with a couple of recovery tools. Even in cases where the files were attainable, their contents were unreadable.

Meet: A winning strategy for cybersecurity (ZDNet/TechRepublic special feature) | Download the PDF version (TechRepublic)

File Shredder

File Shredder is another erasure utility that you tin run from the program or within File Explorer. Information technology can shred files, folders, partitions, and free disk space.

Download and install the program from its website. To manually remove an item, open the program and select the selection to Add File or Add together Binder. You can add multiple files and folders. When you lot're gear up to pull the plug, click the button to Shred Files Now (Effigy C).

Figure C

Alternatively, open File Explorer. Select and right-click on the file or folder or multiple files or folders you want to delete. Hover over the control for File Shredder and select the option to Secure Delete Files (Figure D).

Effigy D

To tweak File Shredder, open the programme and click the link for Shredder Settings. Here yous can control the integration with File Explorer and cull a specific erasure algorithm (Effigy Eastward).

Figure E

I tested File Shredder by deleting various files and folders. I tried restoring some of the deleted files through recovery software, and all were unreadable.

SEE: Resource and data recovery policy (Tech Pro Research)

Freeraser

Freeraser is designed every bit a quick way to securely delete individual files. Rather than appear as a full-screen program or integrate itself into File Explorer, Freeraser floats on your Windows desktop every bit a trash can icon. You can elevate and drop files you wish to delete or select them from the icon.

Download Freeraser from the Softonic software site. When you install the plan, you lot can opt for a standard installation to put information technology on your hard drive or a portable installation to identify it on an external drive or a USB stick. Later installation, right-click on the program'south desktop icon. From the pop-upwardly carte, click the choice to Select File To Destroy. You lot can select multiple files, though you can't select an entire binder. Open the files yous selected and click Continue at the icon to delete those files (Figure F).

Figure F

Equally an culling, open File Explorer and drag the files yous want to remove onto the Freeraser icon. Again, click Go along to remove the files.

You lot tin can move the Freeraser icon anywhere on your desktop. Right-click the icon and you tin change its size and transparency and choose to keep it e'er on top of open windows (Figure G). From the program's settings, you can besides select the destruction mode (Fast, Forced, or Ultimate) and elect to run the program each time Windows starts.

Figure Thousand

I deleted multiple files with Freeraser, all of which were unreadable when I tried to bring them back to life using file recovery software.