Comments on: How do I permanently delete a file?

By: John D

John D — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:18:03 +0000

I use a freeware programme downloaded from
It has option to choose the level of secure deletion; the higher the level the greater the time it takes. One option states that is the secure deletion appoved by the U.S. government military.
However, as with all such programmes, there seems to be no simple way of checking its efficacy. If you do have a recovery programme (I don’t) you could check using that, after the shred.

By: Reepak

Reepak — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:34:01 +0000

Use Recuuva. When your SCAN is complete it has option to delete permanently from the computer

By: Dhonch

Dhonch — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:57:16 +0000

It is impossible to delete a file permanently …as all computers store even the deleted file in your hard drive. However, if you don’t want to see the file again, you can delete the file in your Recycle or Rubbish bin, and go to the deleted place, and delete the deleted file.

By: Janchura

Janchura — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 08:25:22 +0000

Delete them behond recovery with a file shredder. Dont know what your os is, just google for…freeware,file shredder.

By: Jon

Jon — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 06:04:00 +0000

Use a program to dermanently delete a file!

By: too_perplexed

too_perplexed — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 10:13:52 +0000

Hi maskedmarada2000,

When a file is “deleted”, it’s entry is really unlinked from the directory, thus unallowing folder lookups to see that it is there. To completely remove it from your hard drive, you will need to write over that part in your hard drive with different data. This can be done by chance, as when you “delete” a file, it marks that block of your hard drive as usable, and when it needs space, it’ll use it. Thus it won’t happen immediately.

Try File Shredder, or a similar program, which will completely remove it from your hard drive.
Read about it first, as I’ve never used it and don’t endorse it in any way.

Hope this helps,
P

By: T A

T A — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:04:10 +0000

download an eraser programme, such as file eraser, and follow the instructions given. it will permanently overwrite the file.

By: emz

emz — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:06:45 +0000

it is impossible to permantently delete a file off a computer.
even if you wipe you microsoft windows it will still be stored in your hardrive.

By: Bipradas B

Bipradas B — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 14:57:37 +0000

Delete the file
Go to “rubbish bin’
delete the deleted file.

By: Soul

Soul — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:50:12 +0000

Delete by pressing Shift+Delete