We all know that deleting a file in Windows doesn't actually remove it from your hard bulldoze–that file may be stored in the Recycle Bin, which keeps information technology intact in case you wish to restore information technology. Even if you bypass or empty the Recycle Bin, the file'south clusters even so reside on the disk unless they're overwritten with other data. And fifty-fifty and then, a professional recovery product can oft restore an overwritten file.

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

To remove files, these programs back up diverse erasure methods or algorithms, including ones defined by the US authorities. Many such tools (gratuitous and paid) are available. In this article, we'll look at 3 free products: Eraser, File Shredder, and Freeraser. All three programs are compatible with whatsoever desktop version of Windows from XP to ten; Eraser, File Shredder, and Freeraser also work with Windows Server.

SEE: How to get users on board with essential security measures (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

Eraser

Eraser can securely delete individual files, whole folders, unabridged disk drives or partitions, and fifty-fifty unused space on a disk. The program adds itself to File Explorer then you can easily select a file, a folder, or a bulldoze to erase. Yous can too set up diverse tasks to run manually, run each time you load Windows, or run on a scheduled basis.

Download and install Eraser from its website. After installation, open up the plan, select Settings, and brand certain the option to Integrate Eraser Into Windows Explorer is enabled if yous desire to remove files via Explorer. Open File Explorer. Right-click on a file yous wish to remove. Hover over the Eraser command in the pop-upwards menu and click Erase (Effigy A). Eraser asks for confirmation to erase the file. Answer Yeah, and so the file is deleted.

Figure A

To fix up a job, open up Eraser. Click the downwards arrow next to Erase Schedule and select New Job. At the Task window, type a proper noun for your task. Click the Add Data button and select the file, binder, or other content y'all want to erase. Click the drop-down box for Erasure Method to cull a specific erasing standard. Click OK. Y'all tin at present schedule the task or click OK to close the Job window and and then run it manually (Figure B).

Figure B

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

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

File Shredder

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

Download and install the plan from its website. To manually remove an item, open the program and select the option to Add File or Add Folder. You can add together multiple files and folders. When yous're ready to pull the plug, click the button to Shred Files At present (Figure C).

Figure C

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

Figure D

To tweak File Shredder, open the programme and click the link for Shredder Settings. Here you can control the integration with File Explorer and choose a specific erasure algorithm (Figure East).

Figure Due east

I tested File Shredder by deleting diverse 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 as a quick fashion to securely delete private files. Rather than appear as a full-screen plan or integrate itself into File Explorer, Freeraser floats on your Windows desktop equally a trash can icon. You lot can drag and drop files you wish to delete or select them from the icon.

Download Freeraser from the Softonic software site. When y'all install the program, you can opt for a standard installation to put it on your hard drive or a portable installation to place it on an external drive or a USB stick. After installation, correct-click on the plan's desktop icon. From the pop-up carte, click the choice to Select File To Destroy. Y'all tin can select multiple files, though y'all can't select an entire folder. Open the files you lot selected and click Continue at the icon to delete those files (Figure F).

Figure F

As an alternative, open up File Explorer and elevate the files yous want to remove onto the Freeraser icon. Once more, click Continue to remove the files.

You can motion the Freeraser icon anywhere on your desktop. Correct-click the icon and you tin can alter its size and transparency and choose to go along it always on top of open up windows (Figure G). From the program's settings, you tin also select the destruction fashion (Fast, Forced, or Ultimate) and elect to run the programme each time Windows starts.

Figure G

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