How to delete files deleted from the "Recycle Bin" so that they cannot be recovered

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Make sensitive data disappear forever.

Many people know that deleted data can be relatively easily recovered using special programs, even if you have emptied the Recycle Bin. So when Windows 10 warns that objects are being erased “beyond recovery,” it is exaggerating a little.

Nevertheless, it is still possible to delete files permanently. Here's how to do it.

How to erase deleted files from your hard drive

If you overwrite the data deleted from the hard disk with any digital junk, you will not be able to recover the files. For the sake of order, you can repeat the rewrite cycle several times: this will increase the reliability of the erasure. This can be done, for example, by the following programs.

Recuva

Platforms: Windows.

A popular application for recovering lost data, which can also permanently erase them. Install Recuva and run disk analysis. Then select the files you want to permanently delete, right-click on them and click "Safely overwrite selected".

In the menu "Settings" → "Advanced" → Secure deletion, you can specify how many times to overwrite data: 1, 3, 7 or 35 cycles.

CCleaner

Platforms: Windows, macOS.

Another application that is already installed on many computers. It can be used when you want to erase all files ever deleted from disk in one fell swoop. Click Tools → Erase Disks, select the desired drive and the number of overwrites, then click Erase. In the macOS version of CCleaner, click Tools → Free Up Space.

Eraser

Platforms: Windows.

But this is no longer a multifunctional harvester, but a specialized application, sharpened exclusively for erasing unnecessary data. Install it and then right-click the file and choose Erase → Erase. In addition, advanced users will be able to create regularly performed tasks to automatically clean up the necessary areas of the hard drive.

BleachBit

Platforms: Windows, Linux.

An open source program that can run on both Windows and Linux. Click Menu → Clean Up Free Space and select which folder to clean up.

Permanent Eraser

Platforms: macOS.

This utility for macOS is extremely simple: it permanently destroys files in the "Trash", and nothing more. Install, run it and confirm that you want to delete the data by clicking OK.

How to erase deleted files from an SSD

Solid state drives (SSDs) differ in design from traditional hard drives. Therefore, the mentioned rewriting programs are not suitable for them. In principle, some applications can still start overwriting the SSD without warning, but this will shorten its lifespan, so this method is definitely not recommended.

Use other methods.

Special utilities from the SSD manufacturer

Some SSD manufacturers offer proprietary drive care programs that can, among other things, securely erase data. For example, such as from Intel, from Samsung, from Seagate or from SanDisk.

Google "SSD maker + erase tool" and look to see if there is a corresponding tool on your drive's maker site.

Motherboard Secure Erase Option

Sometimes the motherboard may have a built-in tool to securely erase the SSD. Restart your computer and enter BIOS and then look for the Secure Erase option. Please note that this is not available on all models.

Encryption and subsequent formatting of the disk

This method can be used if you have not found either the utility for your solid state drive, or the corresponding item in the motherboard BIOS.

Encrypt your SSD and then format it. This will permanently delete all files.

Here's how to encrypt a drive on different OSes:

• Windows. If you own a Pro or Enterprise edition of Windows 10, click Start and type BitLocker. It is a built-in encryption tool to help make your data unreadable without a password. Windows 10 Home users can install a free utility that does the same.
• macOS. Click System Preferences → Security & Privacy → FileVault. Click on the lock icon and enter your password, then click Turn on FileVault.
• Linux. Most Linux distributions offer their users to encrypt the drive during installation. But if you missed this option, you can use VeraCrypt like in Windows.

After encrypting the data on the disk, format it:

• Windows. Right-click the drive and select "Format …". Uncheck "Quick (clear table of contents)" and click OK.
• macOS. Click Launchpad → Others → Disk Utility. Select the drive you want, then click Erase.
• Linux. The process may vary slightly from distribution to distribution. An example of the algorithm is as follows: open the built-in program "Disks" or Gparted, select the desired drive in the panel on the right and click "Menu" → "Format disk …".