How do you permanently delete data? Perhaps you own a storage device you no longer use, and you’d like to give it to a friend or family member! The trouble is, it contains personal information, and you wouldn’t want that to be accessible to just anyone. The solution is to erase it permanently. What’s the procedure for doing this, and what steps are involved? You don’t need to call in a professional to get rid of your sensitive data!
Why permanently delete data?
How and why should you permanently delete data? Doing so lets you get rid of unwanted files, ones you no longer need. This frees up space on your hard drive or storage device, making room for new documents to save.
Permanently deleting your personal information also helps protect you. Indeed, it prevents that information from being accessed by third parties. If the files belong to your business, deleting them completely keeps them out of the hands of your competitors.
This step may also be motivated by wanting to give your storage device to a friend or family member. In that case, you want to free up space so they can save their own files, while getting rid of yours.
Deleting data: what should you do beforehand?
How do you permanently delete data? To prevent copies of your personal information from remaining on your storage device, you need to erase it completely. However, it’s important to back it up to another device first, if you want to access those files later on.
A backup gives you access to your documents at any time and lets you retrieve them whenever you need them.
Permanent deletion: using CCleaner
To completely delete your files, you can use the CCleaner erasing software. It’s easy to use and compatible with Windows devices. Originally an optimization tool, it also includes a very handy deletion feature. Here’s how to use it:
- Download the software onto your device and run it
- Once it’s running, click on the “Drive Wiper” module. This option lets you choose the type of deletion you want. Since this is a complete deletion, you should choose the one that corresponds to it.
- Finally, you need to select the folder or drive on which the deletion should take place.
CCleaner takes care of permanently deleting the data, with no way to recover it from your search history. You’ll appreciate how the software’s interface is structured. It’s easy to understand, and you’ll find all of CCleaner’s features there.
Deleting data with Eraser
How do you permanently delete data with Eraser? The Eraser deletion software is easy to use. Here’s a quick tutorial:
- First, you need to download and install it on the device you want to clean
- Once it’s installed, all you have to do is run it and follow the deletion instructions shown on the interface.
Once you’re on the software’s home screen, click on the “File” tab, then “Browse”. The second tab lets you choose the folder where you want to permanently delete the data. What do you do next? The documents to be erased will appear, and you need to click “OK” to get rid of them for good.
You should know that permanent deletion with Eraser is irreversible. The software writes information randomly and repeatedly over the data you want to permanently delete. This way, it can no longer be read by third parties.
You don’t need to create an account or enter a password to use Eraser. Your privacy is respected, and the software doesn’t require you to share your personal information. What’s more, its source code is open to everyone, and it’s free. You don’t need to spend any money to get it, either.
Deleting data with Smart Disk Checker
How do you permanently delete data with Smart Disk Checker? The diagnostic software is easy to use. It only allows you to erase a physical disk. Simply select the disk and start the erasure.
Windows Explorer for deleting data
How do you permanently delete data? If the files are on a laptop, simply moving them to the recycle bin and resetting your device isn’t enough to erase them permanently. All it would take is for a third party to access your PC and look there to gain access to your archive.
To fully disable these files and make them inaccessible, you can use Windows Explorer, without going through the “My Account” tab. It has a built-in deletion tool that can be very useful.
Now that you know how to permanently delete data, take the time to put this advice into practice. For all your file recovery concerns on a damaged hard drive, don’t hesitate to contact us at Chronodisk!