How to Permanently Delete a File, Delete Data Safely

This updated guide explains how to Permanently Delete a File, Delete Data Safely through clear steps, practical examples, and important checks that help prevent common errors.

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So to know the mechanism of deleting files on Windows like? How to permanently delete data properly . Please read this article.

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What Happens When You Delete a File?

The easiest way to understand why a computer does not permanently delete files just by pressing Delete, Shift + Delete or Format. Imagine that your hard drive is like a large piece of land, in which each file is a parcel . Each plot has a different crop (data), an owner, access rights, and other properties.

Permanently Delete a File, Delete Data Safely � What Happens When You Delete a File? screenshot 1

When you tell the system to delete a file, it has the file plot and removes the fence , allowing anyone to jump in and start developing a different crop. The plot before it has been invaded by weeds (temporary files), or before it has been bred again, they can recover many previous crops ( data recovery ).

The only way to remove crops is to securely delete the data . Why aren't the operating systems doing that? Because it is a slow and difficult process . Quick delete or Quick Format is convenient because freeing up the space used by a file is much faster than deleting it completely.

In addition, the deletion of data thoroughly, can not recover very little when we have to use. Because most of the data on the application is not really that important.

When Should You Delete Data Permanently?

There are situations when you should delete files safely. Confidential, extremely important data or sensitive personal information. Safe file deletion is now equivalent to crushing papers.

This is especially important for computers that are shared or public , or when dealing with confidential information.

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When working on a shared computer, it is very important to safely delete files

Software to Permanently Delete Files Hardwipe

If you may need to delete a file once and for all, you must use programs that use safe deletion methods . One of the most complete programs for Windows is Hardwipe . Here, I will explain how it works.

1. Install Hardwipe

The first thing you need to do is install Hardwipe . There are safer removal tools, some of which include antivirus, but I like Hardwipe because of its ease of use and all the options it offers. Install like regular software.

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Permanently Delete a File, Delete Data Safely � 1. Install Hardwipe screenshot 3

2. Open the Options of Hardwipe

Before safely deleting, I recommend you take a minute or two to set up Hardwipe . Open it from the Start menu and go to Tool> Options . Then click the Wipe Options tab.

Permanently Delete a File, Delete Data Safely � 2. Open the Options of Hardwipe screenshot 4

Options to delete Hardwipe. In the first menu, you will see several methods of data deletion - Each effective method is different and its effect in number of overwrites and erasing speed.

Permanently Delete a File, Delete Data Safely � 2. Open the Options of Hardwipe screenshot 5

For example, overwriting a Zero Overwrite once (1 pass) will be much faster than Gutmann (35 passes) , but less effective. And with the professional tools used to recover the deleted data, it is not really safe. I recommend you start by using the DOD 5520,22-M(3 pass) option.

3. How to Choose to Delete Files by Hardwipe

When you may need to delete a file or folder permanently, just right-click to open the Windows options menu, and then open the Hardwipe menu (by clicking Wipe File as shown below) and select the Wipe File option (secure deletion).

Permanently Delete a File, Delete Data Safely � 3. How to Choose to Delete Files by Hardwipe screenshot 6

4. Wait Until Hardwipe Erase Is Completed

It takes longer than usual to securely delete data. Depending on the method you have installed and the amount of data deleted, it will take more or less time. The configuration of your computer may also affect the deletion speed.

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Hardwipe allows you to set if you may need to turn off the computer when the delete is complete.

5. Free Space Frees Up When Deleting Data

If you deleted the file before, it will create free space on your hard drive. You may not see it, however, data recovery tools can detect them. And the files can be recovered by the data recovery tool from these empty locations.

Therefore, to safely and thoroughly erase the data, delete traces of these free spaces. By option in Hardwipe: Free Space

Permanently Delete a File, Delete Data Safely � 5. Free Space Frees Up When Deleting Data screenshot 8

From the Hardwipe window, click the third button ( Free Space ), select the drive and confirm. After clearing the free space, no traditional recovery program will be able to find any trace of the data on the hard disk.

Conclude

Through this article, you can imagine how deleting files in the normal way is still different from deleting them permanently. Thereby, you will know how to safely delete confidential data, privacy.

FAQ

What is the easiest way to Permanently Delete a File, Delete Data Safely?

Start with the requirements in this guide, then follow each step in order. Check the result after every major change so problems are easier to identify.