Your computer is old, and you want to sell it and get a new one. However, your computer is overloaded with bank account information, scanned copies of your driver’s licence, birth certificate, and other sensitive information. Even if you’ve’shift deleted’ the files, you know the data is still on your hard drive; it’s just hidden from the operating system.

How Do I Permanently Delete Files So They Cannot Be Recovered?

But don’t worry; everything has a solution. This article will walk you through many practical techniques for permanently deleting files so they can’t be retrieved (available on Windows).

Can the Recycle Bin permanently delete files and render them unrecoverable?

When Windows deletes a file, it transfers it to a designated hard disc sector and hides it from the operating system. Even after emptying the Recycle Bin, there is still a chance of data recovery if no new data is written on the exact sectors where the deleted files live.

However, if certain sectors of the hard disc are overwritten with fresh data, the chances of retrieving erased contents are slim to none. However, specialist data recovery software, such as Terminator software, may rebuild files that have been erased.

As a result, most computer users desire to know how to permanently erase data so they can’t be restored. This process is straightforward to carry out. Whether you’re getting rid of a computer, an external hard drive, or a USB stick, read on to learn how to permanently remove files on a PC or laptop without retaining your data.

Get Reliable File Shredder Software to Permanently Delete Files That Cannot Be Restored

To remove files from your PC or laptop without recovery, you must wipe and erase your machine. Data that has been irrevocably destroyed can no longer be restored in this manner. Although Windows does not offer a built-in programme for checking and cleaning your hard drive for deleted files, a wide range of third-party applications is available for this purpose.

Terminator software for Windows 11/10/8/7 has a «File Shredder» utility that completely erases all disc data. It may help you remove all of the data and partitions on your hard disc by using solutions that meet the DoD 5220.22-M Wiping Standard.

Terminator software covers a wide range of basic and complex hard disc management operations, including:

1. Shred a single or several files at the same time.
2. Shred a folder or many folders at the same time.
3. Allow for the deletion of extraordinarily huge files and directories in Windows or on external storage devices.
4. Permanently wipe all sorts of files and folders.
5. Support for all sorts of storage devices.

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1. Terminator software — safely delete and wipe the hard disc, SSDs, and external storage devices.
2. Wipe Partition — Remove partition content or wipe data from spare space in a partition.

When you use this programme, your data is irrevocably destroyed and cannot be recovered in most instances.

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1. Erase and wipe the hard disc, SSDs, and external storage devices securely.
2. Wipe Partition — Erase data from vacant space in a partition or clean partition content.

Using this programme, your data is irrevocably destroyed and, in most situations, cannot be recovered.

Using Terminator software, learn how to permanently delete files that cannot be recovered. BitWiper

Terminator is a strong programme that can permanently remove sensitive data. It is difficult to recover files destroyed using this programme since the utility overwrites the deleted files on certain hard disc sectors. You may use this programme to fix your «how to permanently delete files so they can’t be recovered» problem.

Step 1: Run Terminator software and select «File Shredder».
Step 2: Click «Add Files» to pick the files to shred, or drag files, documents, photos, audio files, and so on into the centre area.
Step 3: Re-select the files you want to shred and click «Shred» to confirm.
Step 4: The programme will quickly shred all of the specified files. When it is finished, click the «Done» button.

Bonus Tip: How to Prevent Important Files from Being Erased

Remember that after the wipe operation is complete, no data recovery programme will be able to restore the files. If the number of times to wipe the hard drive is set to 10, no data recovery solution will ever be able to recover the data.

Also, if you continue to use the hard disc or storage device after data loss, write fresh data over the old. It is theoretically impossible to recover overwritten files. So, to secure your data, you can take the following two precautions:

1. Make a backup of important files to a different place ahead of time.

You may wish to permanently erase files so they cannot be retrieved from your old PC, but you may need them on your new PC. One of the best methods to preserve your papers, images, videos, custom configurations, and Windows 10 files from being permanently erased is to build a backup file in preparation.

2. Use caution while picking files to permanently delete and shred using Terminator software.

When you pick files, they will display in the list. If you change your mind or realise that certain files were selected inadvertently, you may delete them from the list using the remove option. Your data will be wiped and shredded more times in Slow Mode, rendering them unrecoverable. When you click the Delete option, a warning window displays telling you that the deleted files cannot be restored using software or other ways. To confirm, click OK.

Terminator software is a professional programme that shreds your files and saves you from the trouble of having your data stolen. However, as previously said, your papers will be unrecoverable, and your data will be deleted and cannot be restored. It’s also hard to tell what file names were utilised. To be secure, choose your files carefully when using this software.

Conclusion

Nobody wants snoopers and hackers to have access to their personal information. Although Windows’ built-in encryption should render your deleted data unrecoverable, following the additional methods we’ve described to permanently remove files so they can’t be retrieved will provide you with total piece of mind.

You can use a disk-wiping tool like Terminator software to prevent someone from retrieving any of your data. It will wipe your hard disc clean, including your operating system and all of your files, overwriting them with useless data. It is useful when disposing of a computer since it assures that all of your personal information is destroyed.

References

Why Cryptography Is Harder Than It Looks
Cory Doctorow (cory@eff.org), June 17, 2004
Cyber Security
REMANENCE SECURITY
Data erasure
Gutmann method
Bruce Schneier
VSITR