How to Permanently Delete Sensitive Data? (Impossible to Recover)

Quick Navigation:

• Before Deleting Sensitive Data Permanently
• How to Delete Sensitive Data Permanently?
• Conclusion
• FAQs About Deleting Sensitive Data Permanently

Deleting data from Windows or Mac is like putting trash in the bin. You can easily retrieve it back. Also, this way, hackers can easily steal your sensitive data. Would you like that to happen? Of course, none of us wants that ever to happen.

So, you should delete sensitive data like your documents, passwords, pictures, etc., for good before you sell your computer or throw out an old device. Don't worry if you don't know how to delete sensitive data permanently. We have simple and easy solutions to your problem. So, let’s get into the details without any further delay!

Before Deleting Sensitive Data Permanently

If you will remove some data forever, keep some things in mind. Back up the data if you must use it in the future; for example, if you are selling your PC and want to clean the data, it is better to save it somewhere else.

Also, review and organize the files that are to be deleted and those that are not. Choose the method you want to use for deletion to make the process smooth and easier.

How to Delete Sensitive Data Permanently?

When you are deleting the data, always remember the backups. If you have backed up your files somewhere else, the data remains there even if you remove it from the original location. So, you should also delete it from the backup if you don't need it anymore.

There are several ways to delete sensitive data from Windows or Mac. Here, we will share some easy ways that are also helpful for beginners to get rid of the files and data for good.

#1 By Using Short Keys

Yes, you read it right. You can delete the data by simply using the short keys on your keyboard.

• Choose the file that you want to delete permanently.
• Now, hold the Shift key and Delete the key together.(On Mac, use Command+Delete)
• A window will appear on the screen. Select Yes.
• Your file has been deleted.

#2 Emptying the Recycle Bin

When you delete data, it can be recovered from the recycle bin. It means you must clear the recycle bin to remove it permanently. If you are wondering how to empty the recycle bin, here are some ways to do so:

• Right-click on the recycle bin and click the 'Empty Recycle Bin' option.
• Another way is to open the recycle bin and click anywhere on the screen. Then select the ‘Empty Recycle Bin’ option.
• The third way to do this is by clicking on recycle bin tools. You must click the Empty Recycle Bin option as in the previous methods.

#3 Using the File Explorer Ribbon

You can also use the File Explorer ribbon to delete files or data easily and quickly. These are the steps to follow:

• First, open the file explorer. You can do this by clicking WINDOWS+E.
• Then, select the files that you want to delete permanently.
• On the file explorer ribbon, select ‘Home’.
• Now click on the Delete icon and then select 'Permanently Delete.'

#4 Using Cipher to Delete Files

Have you ever heard of ciphers? If not, let us tell you that it is a built-in tool to permanently and securely delete the data from your computer. Cipher uses a command in the PowerShell. Here are the steps you can follow the use Cipher command:

• Go to Windows PowerShell.
• Now type the command “Cipher /w:C:[Path] in the terminal window.
• Now press the Enter button.
• The command starts overwriting the file traces. That means no software or tool can recover your deleted files.

#5 Using the 'Reset this PC' Option

The Window users can opt for the reset option to delete all the data. It is especially helpful when you give away your PC and want to clean it. Here is how to do this:

• Turn on your PC and go to the settings.
• Now select the ‘Update and Security’ settings.
• Afterward, go to the Recovery tab and click the 'Get Started' option.
• A window appears on your screen, and select 'Remove Everything.'
• Choose an option to reinstall the windows.
• Click 'Change Settings' and then 'Delete files from all drives'. Also, remember to enable the 'Clean Data' option.
• Click on ‘Confirm’ and then ‘Next’.
• Finally, select the ‘Reset’ option.
• Everything from your PC will be cleared now.

Note: If you use the methods listed above to delete sensitive data, the data is not lost forever and can be recovered by data recovery software. If you want to permanently delete sensitive data so that it can’t be recovered by any method, just check the #6 Using Super Eraser method.

#6 Using Super Eraser

DoYourData Super Eraser is a tool that can help you delete sensitive data forever. The tool is powerful yet easy to use. More interestingly, you can use it on Windows and Mac.

If you want to permanently delete sensitive data from your PC, Mac, HDD, SSD, USB drive, memory card, digital camera, etc, you can use this tool to help you. It offers three modes to help you delete data permanently. Please note that once the data is erased by DoYourData Super Eraser, the data is gone forever, can’t be recovered by any method. Make a backup if needed!

Mode 1. Permanently delete files and folders.

Just click on Add button to add files/folders to the erasure list, then click on Erase Now button to permanently erase the selected files/folders.

Mode 2. Wipe entire hard drive.

Select the target hard drive, the click on Wipe Now button to permanently erase all data from the hard drive.

Mode 3. Wipe deleted/lost data.

This mode will not erase existing data. It will wipe free disk space of the hard drive and permanently erase all deleted/lost data.

Conclusion

With time, technology advances, and so does our desire to buy updated gadgets. So, if you are buying a new computer, remember to permanently remove the data from your previous device so it becomes inaccessible.

Don’t worry; there are several ways to delete all this data permanently. For instance, you can use software. Besides that, the File Explorer ribbon and reset option are the other ways. Or, empty the recycle bin to remove sensitive files or data.

FAQs About Deleting Sensitive Data Permanently

1. Why should permanently delete sensitive data?

This is an age of technology and information, an age of Internet. We express ourselves as well as expose our information through internet or data transfer. Many of us have been the victims of privacy leakage. We have to try our best to avoid sharing our personal data with others by accident. Before we resell or donate our computer, USB drive, digital camera, we'd better permanently delete sensitive data.

Can we delete a file by deleting, shift + delete or dragging it to the recycle bin? The answer is NO. The deleted file is still on the hard drive even if you have emptied the recycle bin. You just delete the entry of the file, not the file. Even you have formatted the hard drive, the erased data still can be recovered. People can easily find a data recovery tool to easily and quickly recover your sensitive data after you delete it or format the hard drive.

2. How to permanently delete sensitive data?

For sake of permanently deleting sensitive data on your hard drive or storage device, you should get the help of data erasure software. DoYourData Super Eraser is the award-winning one which can permanently delete sensitive data on your hard drive or removable device. It will destroy and overwrite the deleted data to make it impossible to recover. After deleting data by using Super Eraser, the data is lost for good, can’t be recovered by any method.

Here is the guide to permanently delete files/folders using DoYourData Super Eraser:

• Download and install DoYourData Super Eraser, open it.
• Choose Erase Files/Folders mode, click Add button.
• Add files and folders to the erasure list.
• Click on Erase Now button to permanently erase the selected files and folders.

3. What is the best file shredder software to permanently delete sensitive data?

Here is the list of top 5 file shredder software:

• DoYourData Super Eraser
• Donemax Data Eraser
• AweEraser
• Stellar BitEraser
• DBAN