File Shredding: How to Permanently Delete Files on Your Windows 10/11 PC

We usually think that deleting files from our computer is the end. But the files are technically still there. With the right tools, anyone can retrieve them. That’s why you need to know how to delete files the right way.

If you’re concerned about your privacy, security, or just want to make sure sensitive data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands, you can use a file shredder (yes, file shredders exist for Windows PCs as well). This will help you achieve true deletion. 

In this guide, I’ll explain how data removal tools work and how you can delete files forever on your Windows PC. 

Let’s begin.

What Does a File Shredder for a Windows PC Do?

Before we get into the crux of things, it’s important to know how file shredders work to help you choose the right method. The main job of this utility is to delete files beyond recovery—i.e., permanently.

It accomplishes this by overwriting the file’s data several times. Specifically speaking, it breaks the file’s references in the file system, which makes it impossible for data recovery software to retrieve them.

This is not what happens when you clear files from your PC using the normal method. When you delete files normally, the information still lingers until new data overwrites it. 

In other words, until you’ve used the hard drive for other stuff like installing new games, videos, etc., you can recover them.

How to Delete Files Permanently on Windows 10 or 11

File shredding is a crucial aspect that every user should consider if you want to secure your PC and, especially, your data. So I’ll start with the easiest option to start the ball rolling. With that said, here is how to permanently delete files on a PC:

Method 1: Use third-party software to delete files permanently

One of the most reliable ways I recommend that you use it is the Auslogics BoostSpeed app. 

It features File Shredder for Windows that deletes files in a way that makes it impossible for anyone, including hackers, to restore them. It’s the ultimate way to protect your data. 

Wiping your hard drive is also not a big deal for this software. You have the freedom to choose the files you want to remove and set the security level from basic to military-grade. 

And you can complete the process in a few clicks.

Let’s find out how to permanently delete files from a computer using BoostSpeed: 

• Go to Auslogics’ official website, download the program, and install it. This only takes about 60 seconds. 
• Open the program and click on Tools. Then hover your mouse over Security Tools and select File Shredder. 

• Now, you can click on Add to open the option to add from a file or folder. But you can also drag the file or folder you want to delete to the window to add the files. 
• Afterwards, click Shred to start the process. You can also check Also erase files in the Recycle Bin to delete any files in there. That’s it! 

It takes only a few minutes to complete the deletion process.

Method 2: Shift + Delete your files

The Shift + Delete method of Windows file removal is a simple way of getting rid of files so they don’t hang around in the Recycle Bin.

This method of file deletion is a shortcut. It saves you the time you would use to first delete a file, locate the file in the Recycle Bin, and delete it again. 

With Shift + Delete, the file is automatically deleted from your user folder and the Recycle Bin. To use the Shift + Delete option to get rid of files, follow the steps below:

• Select the files (or a whole folder) you want to delete.
• Tap both the Shift and Delete keys on your keyboard.
• Select Yes in response to the Delete File/Folder prompt.

Method 3: Reconfigure your Recycle Bin

Another way to delete files on a PC is to reconfigure the Recycle Bin system folder to prevent it from collecting deleted files.

Follow the steps below to do it:

• Open the Run box by pressing Windows + R on your keyboard. 
• Then, enter “shell:RecycleBinFolder” in the search field to open the Recycle Bin folder.

• Right-click anywhere in the folder and select Properties. 
• Next, select Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted.
• Click OK to close the Properties window and implement the changes.

Method 4: Use PowerShell to permanently delete files

Windows PowerShell offers a fast deletion process you can use. Here is how to permanently delete files on a PC via PowerShell: 

• Type “Powershell” in the search bar and click on it to open. 

• The command line requires a file path to work. To get it, go to the file you want to delete, right-click on it, and select Copy path. 
• Next, type “Remove-item [file path] -recurse” and hit Enter. Remember to replace [file path] with the actual path. So, the command becomes: 

Remove-item C:\Users\Work Mode\Downloads\Important_file\Screenshot 9.png -recurse

Method 5: Use the cipher command to overwrite the deleted data

Cipher is a versatile command that can help you encrypt or decrypt files. So, you can use it to overwrite specific deleted data, which makes it just like a built-in file shredder on Windows.

Follow the steps below on how it works:

• Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. 

Type cipher /w:FolderName and press Enter to execute the command. 

Replace FolderName with the name of the folder you want to delete. For example, if your folder name is Important and it’s in the C drive, the command becomes:

cipher /w:C:\Important

The command will overwrite the folder and make it unrecoverable. However, you’ll have to run the command several times to ensure that the folder is completely removed from your hard drive. The more you run it, the more secure it is.

How to Delete Files Permanently: Explained

Here we are. All the methods listed above are easy steps to delete your files forever, but not all of them work as file shredders on your Windows PC. Consider your goal—if you’re planning to sell or donate your computer, it’s better to use a more thorough file shredding method like Auslogics BoostSpeed’s File Shredder or Windows PowerShell.

Now, would you do me a favor and share the article with your friends and colleagues? Also, let us know in the comments how the methods I’ve shared with you worked out. Did the tools help? Are there any tips you want to share? Share them with the community!

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