The best way to permanently delete files on Windows 10 is to overwrite the files and data using third-party software tools. Other ways to delete files for good include using keyboard shortcuts, the right-click menu, the File Explorer Ribbon, third-party software tools, or Windows PowerShell. These methods may leave traces of your data however the file shredder can automatically overwrite the files and then securely delete them.
How Do I Permanently Delete Files on Windows 10?
You can try these manual methods on how to find and delete files on Windows 10 to permanently delete files on your PC. If the manual methods are not working for you, go for the tools and utilities mentioned in the last steps.
1. Delete Files Using Keyboard Shortcut
This is probably the easiest method to delete files permanently on your PC.
Step 1. Get into Windows Explorer and select the file you wish to delete.
Step 2. Press and hold the Shift key before pressing the Delete key. Be careful with this step, the Backspace key is not the Delete key.
Step 3. Click Yes to confirm deleting the file. You need not visit the Recycle Bin as the file is permanently gone from your PC.
2. Using PowerShell
PowerShell gives an advanced user interface to delete files permanently. PC professionals mainly use this. Here is how to permanently delete files on a PC using PowerShell.
Step 1. Locate the Start menu at the bottom of your screen and type PowerShell.
Step 2. Select Windows PowerShell and click on it.
Step 3. Type the following command and hit the Enter key.
Remove-Item -path c:\[Filename] -recurse
Replace the c:\[Filename] with the full path of your file.
3. Use Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer allows you a lot of options and tools on the ribbon to delete files on Windows.
Step 1. To open Windows Explorer with its shortcut, hold down the Windows Key and press E or you can go to the Taskbar and click on the Folder icon.
Step 2. Hover your cursor on the file you want to delete and highlight it.
Step 3. Locate the arrow under the Delete option on the ribbon and choose Permanently Delete. You can select multiple random files at a time with the Ctrl key or continuous selection with the Shift key.
4. Using the Right-click Menu
This is another easy method of deleting files permanently from your PC. All you need is to select files and follow these steps.
Step 1. Access Windows Explorer and go to the folder from where you wish to delete the files.
Step 2. Select the files and right-click on the files. Click on Delete and it will send the file to the Recycle Bin. To remove permanently from the Recycle Bin, minimize open windows and reach the Desktop screen.
Step 3. Right-click on the Recycle Bin, and select Empty Recycle Bin from the options. All your files will be permanently erased from your Windows.
How to Delete Files Permanently with a Software?
Using a file remover or a drive manager software can help you remove files easily. When it comes to removing a confidential file, we need a perfect tool to overwrite the files. File Shredder or a Disk Manager are practical tools and utilities to shred files, folders, and partitions, and free up disk space.
5. EaseUS Partition Master
The EaseUS Partition Master is a free tool and the Best Disk Management Software for Windows that helps you manage your disk and partitions on the PC. It has an easy-to-use interface and better features to work with features like format, recover, resize, delete, transfer disk partition, and many more. The paid Premium version unlocks all these additional features to manage your hard drive.
Step 1. Download, Install, and Run EaseUS Partition Master on your Windows.
Step 2. Select the HDD/SSD in your Windows and Right- Click to choose ‘Wipe Data’
Step 3. Set the number of times to wipe data on your Windows (Maximum is 10) and click on ‘Ok’.
Step 4. Go through the message that appears on your screen and press ‘Ok’
Step 5. Click on ‘Execute Operation’ and ‘Apply’ settings. It will completely erase files on your disk.
Wipe a Partition
Step 1. Right-click on the file you want to erase and select the ‘Wipe Data’ option.
Step 2. Set the time you want to wipe the Partition and click on the ‘Ok’ button.
Step 3. Click on ‘Execute Operation’ at the top right corner, inspect the changes and click on ‘Apply’.
6. Use Advanced System Optimizer (File Shredder)
Advanced System Optimizer is a professional application that aims to clean up your system to enhance overall performance. Never before has a system optimization tool offered such great features. Especially when you need top-notch system performance with zero slowdowns and system freezes. Advanced System Optimizer not only cleans the junk but is extremely resourceful for gamers.
It automatically terminates any background services and programs that might interfere with games and provides an optimized Sandbox Space for your games to run in. It also turns off any annoying notifications and ensures that you never experience any frame rate or resolution-related issues while you game on.
Features
• Secure Delete files with File Shredder Utility.
• Flexibility in the ability to tidy up your computer.
• Provides privacy and reduces internet bandwidth demands.
• Prevent confidential files from being accessed by any other user.
• Perform Quick, Deep, and Custom scan for problems at different levels.
• Secure Encryption feature to encrypt and decrypt your private files and folders.
• Select the files, folders, and drives you would like to clean up or look over.
• Back up your personal data and system files with an option to restore.
• Takes care of audio, video, docs, images, and other file types.
• Recover lost data even if it was formatted or deleted.
Steps to Use File Shredder
Step 1. Install Advanced System Optimizer in your Windows and run the tool.
Step 2. Open the app and type in the key sent to your Email and allow it to be registered.
Step 3. Select the ‘Security & Privacy’ tab in the left panel.
Step 4. Select the ‘Secure Delete’ option and click on it.
Step 5. A new window will be displayed to select files. Click on the ‘Select File’ button in the middle.
Step 6. Select the file you want to delete by clicking ‘Add File’ or ‘Add Folder’ and go Next.
Step 7. A confirmation window will appear for you to type in numbers displayed on the app window in the text box.
Step 8. Type in the numbers, click ‘Next’ and all your files will be removed.
Step 9. Click on ‘Finish’ to complete the transition.
Summing Up
This article on how to permanently delete files on a PC has all the manual steps and the masterstroke of deleting files permanently from the PC. Follow the easiest methods on how to find and delete files on Windows 10 and securely delete a file without any hitch. To delete a file permanently demands the use of appropriate tools such as Advanced System Optimizer and the EaseUS Partition Master. Also deleting a file can be done manually but sometimes these methods might not be permanent, there will need to delete again from the Recycle Bin.
