How to Permanently Delete Files on PC?

Files can be easily recovered if you just delete them to Recycle Bin and then empty Recycle Bin. Here offer detailed steps to permanently delete files on PC.

Posted by @Bryce December 17, 2024 Updated By @Bryce May 12, 2023

“How do I erase unwanted files without recovery?”

“Hello, guys. I want to delete some files permanently from my laptop. I know the removed files can be easily retrieved via data recovery software if I only press Ctrl + D to delete them to Recycle Bin and clear Recycle Bin. Is there any advice on how to permanently delete files on PC? Thanks.”

Free & Safe file eraser software for Windows 10, 8, 7

Regular deletion doesn’t’ really remove the files and only marks the space that holds the deleted files as empty and they still exist on the hard drive if aren’t overwritten. At this point, it’s effortless to restore deleted files using data recovery software.

To permanently delete files on PC, it’s advised to employ a great file eraser tool, AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard. The tool can securely wipe files from hard drive with writing zeros to space where the files are located to prevent recovery. And it is also helpful in forcibly shredding files that cannot be deleted and getting rid of virus files without regeneration. You can use it to delete files with zero-filling in Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, and Vista.  It enables you to wipe partition and wipe hard drive as well.  Free download the file shredder and have a try! 

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How to: permanently delete files on Windows PC

You can check out the following steps about how to permanently delete files from computer without recovery in Windows.

Step 1. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard. Click “Wipe”> “Shred Files”.

Step 2. In the “Shred Files” window, choose “Add Files” or “Add Folders” to add the files or folder that you want to erase without recovery. Here I choose “Add Files” and pick the target files.

Step 3. After adding all the target files, you can see the files in the “Name” list. If you want to remove one or more files from the list, just untick it. If you want to view what the file is, you can also put the mouse on the file or folder path and double click the path to open it.

Step 4. After specifying the files, choose “Write Zero” as the shredding method.

You can upgrade to Professional version, if you want to choose the three advanced shredding way:

  • Pseudorandom data (1 pass, Pro): Overwrite with random data.

  • DoD 5220.22-M (7 passes, Pro): Overwrite with binary zeros firstly; secondly with binary ones; thirdly with a random bit pattern.

  • Gutmann (35 passes, Pro): Overwrite with a random character for the first four and the last four passes and with a complex pattern from pass 5 to pass 31.

Step 5. Click “Shred” button and you’ll be asked whether you are sure to shred selected files/folder thoroughly. Click “Yes” to continue the operation.

Step 6. After all the added files or folders are deleted, you will see the message “All files/folders have been shredded completely” on the top.

Notes:

  • It’s not allowed to change shredding way when the operation is running.

  • The files that are compressed or encrypted at the file system level and these folders: "C:\Program Files", "C:\Program Files(x86)", "C:\Users", "C:\Windows", "C:\Windows\System32", "C:\Users\Pubilc", "C:\Users\Public\Desktop", "C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop", "C:\Users\*(current login account)\Desktop" cannot be shredded.

  • If the program fails to delete some files as they are in use, you can reboot computer and enter WinPE or PreOS mode to shred the files.