Can I Truly Clean All Deleted Files from PC?

Is it necessary to completely clean unneeded files from computer?

It is recommended that you permanently delete files from your computer, as the complete removal of the data frees up space on your hard drive and enhances the overall performance of your computer. And, by permanently erasing the files, you render it impossible for hackers to recover them and access sensitive information, as Windows maintains a record of deleted files in the event of a recovery.

When a folder or file is deleted, it is temporarily stored in the Recycle Bin. Windows records the space that temporary files occupied, even if you discard them from the Recycle Bin. This allows any computer expert (or hacker) to reconstruct your files.

Can you truly clean all deleted files?

To truly clean all deleted files means that your files will be completely overwritten and wiped so you are unable to recover your deleted files no matter what methods you use after performing permanent files deletion. However, to permanently delete files is not easy. If you wish to permanently delete files, it is necessary to employ a tool that ensures their secure deletion.

The next content will address the process of permanently deleting files from a computer. If you are experiencing issues with the irrevocable deletion of files, it is recommended that you consider the following methods. These methods are still worth perusing, even if you have not yet encountered this issue.

How to permanently delete files from computer

Now, let’s see how to delete a file completely from the computer. You can choose an easier method for you to execute.

Way 1. Perform quick format on your drive

Formatting drive allows for the irrevocable deletion of all files on the partition. Remembering to deactivate the "Perform a quick format" option when formatting a partition is crucial. Your files can be recovered if you execute the Format Partition operation by default.

Regarding formatting, numerous options are available to you, including Command Prompt and Disk Management. You will see how to format files in Disk Management.

Step 1. Press Windows and R key at the same time to open the Run box. After typing diskmgmt.msc, click OK to continue.

Step 2. Choose the partition which contains files to be deleted, and then right click it. After that, select the Format option from the feature list.

Step 3. Cancel the selection of Perform a quick format, and then click OK to go on.

Step 4. Click OK in the pop-up window to carry out the format operation.

Way 2. Clean drive through Command Prompt

You are also able to permanently delete files using the Command Prompt. The clean all Command Prompt can be used to eliminate your trash files.

Step 1. Type command prompt in the search window, and then select the Command Prompt option from the search results.

Step 2. Select the Run as administrator option from the function list after right click the Command Prompt.

Step 3. Type the following commands in the pop-up page. After typing each command, press the Enter key to continue.

• diskpart
• list disk
• select disk N (N stands for the number of the disk that your unwanted files located on)
• clean all

Way 3. Wipe all deleted files via professional data cleaner tool

Although system tools can give you some help, many users are skeptical. Because CMD won’t clean and overwrite your drive to avoid data recovery, while there is still possibility to recover data after formatting drive. So, under most circumstances, we strongly suggest users turning to professional data clean tool.

Here, we recommend AOMEI Partition Assistant, unlike basic formatting, it can overwrite all sectors of the drive multiple times via sophisticated wiping algorithms such as DoD 5220.22-M and Gutmann which ensure higher security compared to traditional formatting, making it nearly impossible to recover data using advanced recovery methods.

Step 1.  Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant. Right-click the hard disk drive you want to wipe, then select “Wipe Hard Drive”.

Step 2. In the pop-up window, choose "Fil sectors with Zero" and click "OK".

Note: You can upgrade to the Professional edition to unlock the other 3 wiping methods that provide higher security.

Step 3. After that, it will back to the main interface. Click “Apply” > “Proceed” to execute the operation.

Note: If you need to wipe system hard drive, you should create a bootable media and enter WinPE environment. Besides, it comes with many other powerful functions like Format Partition, Rebuild MBR, Migrate OS to SSD and so on. 

Further reading: How to avoid accidentally data loss

After we know how to completely clean unnecessary data, there is another common error that can happen on every user’s PC: accidentally data loss.

Many issues may cause unpredictable data loss, such as suddenly editing app crashing, Windows computer crash, hard disk failed, etc. If you confront any similar problems that cause data loss, don’t worry, AOMEI Partition Assistant also has “Data Recover” function that supports recovering data from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, and other storage devices under various spots.

Conclusion

Can you clean all deleted files from PC? How to permanently delete files on Windows 11? All these questions are end in this post. AOMEI Partition Assistant not only can help you quickly and thoroughly clean all redundant files but also allows users to recover lost data files.

Besides these two functions, this tool can clone hard disks and partitions, extend drive space, move installed apps…You can easily manage your computer and disks via this robust tool.