12 Free File Deletion Tools to Permanently Delete Files & Prevent Recovery
To securely erase files permanently, tools like BitRaser File Eraser and EaseUS offer robust solutions with advanced overwrite algorithms. WipeFile and Permadelete are great free options. Each tool supports various erasure methods to prevent data recovery, ensuring your sensitive information remains safe.
What’s the best file deletion tool?
BitRaser File Eraser – Best Software to Permanently Delete Overall
Operating System: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Pricing: Free, Premium
Developer: Stellar Information Technology Pvt. Ltd.
BitRaser File Eraser is a robust tool that permanently wipes sensitive files by overwriting your data multiple times (using over 27 data erasure standards). It works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android—ideal for safeguarding your data before selling or disposing of your devices.
Pros:
- Prevents unauthorized access by securely erasing data.
- Erases all data thoroughly.
- Uses high-grade security protocols.
Cons:
- No free trial is available.
EaseUS – Best Versatile Permanent Data Deletion Software
Operating System: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Pricing: Free
Developer: CHENGDU YIWO Tech Development Co., Ltd.
EaseUS is designed so that deleted data can never be restored. It uses advanced deletion algorithms—including DoD 5220.22-M and Gutmann—to ensure your files are completely wiped. Simply add files (via drag-and-drop or the plus icon) and click “Shred” to begin the process.
Pros:
- Protects confidential data effectively.
- Offers multiple permanent deletion methods.
- Features a user-friendly, intuitive interface.
Cons:
- The deletion process may be slower compared to some alternatives.
WipeFile – Best Secure Tool to Permanently Delete Files
Operating System: Windows
Pricing: Free
Developer: Gaijin.at.
WipeFile is a portable tool ideal for your USB toolkit. It supports 14 different erasing methods—from a quick single-pass zero fill to a full 35-pass Gutmann erase. You can add files or entire folders, and even set up a custom file mask to target specific file types.
Pros:
- Supports batch processing.
- Effectively overwrites file data.
- Offers 14 deletion methods.
Cons:
- May slow down the system during operation.
HardWipe – Best Permanent File-Deleting Tool for Portable Storage Media
Operating System: Windows
Pricing: Free
Developer: HardWipe Software
HardWipe offers several data erasing options—from wiping Recycle Bin contents to erasing an entire drive or its free space. It provides up to 35 passes and even includes an option to rename files during deletion for extra security.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface.
- Securely deletes data permanently.
- Can auto-shutdown the desktop after deletion.
Cons:
- Requires careful use to avoid accidental deletion.
Permadelete – Best Open-Source Software to Delete Files Permanently
Operating System: Windows
Pricing: Free
Developer: Patrick Lamers
Permadelete offers a simple, user-friendly interface for permanently deleting files and folders. After selecting your files, you can choose the number of overwrite passes (default is one using random data). Note that for SSDs, it relies on TRIM and garbage collection—so if you need immediate shredding, consider another tool.
Pros:
- Open-source and free.
- Effectively makes files unrecoverable.
- Simple, user-friendly interface.
Cons:
- Not available for macOS and Linux.
Alternate File Shredder – Best User-Friendly Tool to Permanently Delete Files
Operating System: Windows
Pricing: Free
Developer: Alternate Tools
Alternate File Shredder not only permanently deletes files but can also wipe free drive space. It allows you to overwrite a file up to 100 times (for extreme security) using random data, zeros, or a custom pattern. Additional features include shredding file names and a binary viewer for direct file edits.
Pros:
- Overwrites all parts of a file before deletion.
- Runs faster than many alternatives.
- Supports multiple languages.
Cons:
- The interface looks a bit dated.
Download Alternate File Shredder
File Shredder – Best Tool for Wiping and Overwriting Data Permanently
Operating System: Windows
Pricing: Free
Developer: File Shredder
File Shredder is a robust solution (installation required) offering several erasing methods—from 1 or 2 passes up to the Gutmann 35-pass method. It integrates directly with Windows Explorer, allowing one-click file deletion or the option to queue files for later shredding.
Pros:
- Offers multiple strong data deletion algorithms.
- Strict overwrite process prevents data recovery.
- Clean, minimalist interface.
Cons:
- Can be slightly slower than some alternatives.
Blank and Secure – Best Flexible Tool to Delete Data Permanently
Operating System: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Pricing: Free
Developer: SoftwareOK
This portable tool from SoftwareOK is lightweight (only a few hundred KB) and very simple to use. It lets you overwrite files and folders between 1 and 35 times using random numbers, with overwrite and delay options available via dropdown menus. Files can be added by drag-and-drop or through a context menu (“Send to”), and it also offers an option to wipe free drive space.
Pros:
- Allows multiple overwriting options.
- Simple and easy to use.
- Supports drag-and-drop functionality.
Cons:
- The deletion process can be a bit slow.
Eraser – Best Software for Deleting Sensitive Files Permanently
Operating System: Windows
Pricing: Free
Developer: Garrett Trant
Eraser is a powerful, feature-rich tool designed for secure file deletion. It offers an erasing scheduler to automate deletion tasks (for files, folders, free space, or even the Recycle Bin) and supports 13 different erase algorithms. It also integrates with Windows Explorer to unlock or replace files for added security.
Pros:
- Can securely delete entire drives and partitions.
- Allows scheduled deletion.
- Supports a wide range of data destruction methods.
Cons:
- Only available on Windows.
Zer0 – Best Multi-Functional Tool to Permanently Delete Files
Operating System: Windows
Pricing: Free
Developer: KC Softwares
Zer0 is a straightforward tool from KC Softwares that lets you drag and drop files (folders aren’t supported) to securely delete them. Although details about its erasure method are sparse (some claim up to 100 passes), its multithreaded design makes it very fast. It’s available as both a portable and an installable version, with the installer adding a “Delete with Zer0” option to your right-click menu.
Pros:
- Provides secure deletion.
- Supports multithreaded deletion.
- Easy to use with no technical knowledge required.
Cons:
- Not available for macOS.
DP Wipe – Best Handy Permanent File Deletion Tool
Operating System: Windows
Pricing: Free
Developer: Dirk Paehl
DP Wipe is very user-friendly—you simply drop the files or folders you want to erase onto its window. It offers several wipe methods (Zero’s, pseudorandom, RCMP, 2 US DoD’s, and Gutmann), with a single-pass pseudorandom option typically sufficient. It comes as a setup installer that creates a shortcut to the program on your desktop.
Pros:
- Simple drag-and-drop interface.
- Fast and effective for file deletion.
- Supports 10 different wipe methods.
Cons:
- No update or support for advanced features.
Conclusion
Choosing the best data-erasing software depends on your needs. For those looking for the most secure option, BitRaser File Eraser and EaseUS are excellent choices for both personal and business use.
WipeFile and Permadelete are good options for those seeking a free and easy-to-use solution. Make sure to use the download links above to choose the most suitable tool for your needs. Always prioritize permanent deletion if data privacy is a concern!
What about eraser ?
hi, i use ‘cleandisk absolute’ file shredder not on your list, would you recommend it?
needed to clean my pc so did a 7 pass/wipe then reset to basic windows 10 would this prevent recovery of files?
richard
ps raymond is a a good learning website
I’ve tried a few different downloads but none are working for me. Is it because I’ve already deleted the files from the recyle bin? I’m trying to find a just a few photos and done the Recuva recovery but it brings up tens of thousands of files and folders so it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. I would like to just get rid of a lot that I know are irrelevant and have not yet been written over but nothing seems to work. Is it possible?
Satellite & Terrestrial TV PVR Files – often won’t delete if put on Windows or Apple OS PC, it doesn’t matter if they are scrambled or not.
Some files not created on a Windows OS, or Apple OS when put onto an ordinary Windows OS, or Apple OS PC won’t drag, rename or delete – best to just leave them on a USB stick if you want to edit them.
These files are often from TV PVR’s, usually made by a Linux OS, but sometimes because TV Stations put a (.ts) file in a (.mpg) container, or there are transmission received errors, the file received is not perfect so most OS’s say WTF. These Files can be edited to a more correct and friendly format but some OS’s just refuse to delete the original file, it may slow or even lockup your OS.
So if you wish to edit out the ads from PVR recordings, its best to keep the files on a USB stick while you edit. The resulted edited files can be saved on the PC not the USB stick.
how can i prevent already deleted files from being recovered, because i deleted my files without using any software and though it will be erased for good and now after doing research i think it can be recovered,please help!
This article is what you are looking for:
“10 Free Tools to Securely Wipe Free Disk Space Preventing Recovery”, it’s in the blue ‘you might also like’ links box above or the url for it is:
raymond.cc/blog/make-your-recoverable-datas-unrecoverable/
Those tools wipe the free space on your drive while leaving the existing files alone.
The distinction between your files being deleted and non-recoverable is a value that makes them visible. When they are “deleted” the value that makes them visible is erased, but they still reside on your hard drive until they are overwritten. An easy way to prevent recovery is to download a utility called Bleach Bit and select the option to “Wipe Free Space”. May take awhile depending on your hard drive size, but this should fix your problem.
That’s all in our article I mentioned above….
Hi Lola
Did you get an answer to your query ?
How to delete deleted data that is still on the disk. (Formating is one option but is there any alternative?)
The links in paragraph #2 of this article will help you.
HOW TO RECOVER FILES THAT WAS SHREDDED
You can’t, that’s the whole point of shredding a file in the first place.
If a file is securly shreaded… you cannot likely recover it even with professional grade software. Because it has been over written many times over. That is what it means to shread a file.
Great article Raymond..Helpful for those in search of erasing tools..Keep up the good work..
Thanks you for the article. It’s very useful to me………..
Nice Article..!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the article, I’m using Gutmann method, it seems more efficient.
Great Job!
PartitionGuru is able to delete files permanently as well as wipe deleted files for good.
this tool is for free
Nice console ….
I would like to see a simple utility that securely deletes my Recycle Bin (or replaces it). I still like sending files to the Recycle Bin, and like to right-click to empty. There’s a few utilities that do this, but they are bloated beyond my liking.
Hello,
I’m looking for a eraser program that can automatically delete a log file that is in use at every restart. I had eraser but there are a few problems with it. The pc shutdown is very slow because eraser.exe hangs to long in memory and the pc has difficulty for shutting it down and it misses the function of erasing a ‘file that is in use’ on ‘every’ logon. I’m looking and I have tested a lot of programs but so far no one can delete a ‘file that is in use’ and that on ‘every time’ the pc logs on. Is there someone here that can help me with finding the right program for this job?
Regards
I have used many of the listed apps. The one I am mostly using now is from Moo0 File Shredder. A free tool, with multiple levels of shredding, from one-pass pseudo-random data (including cluster tip and ADS, and changes file name and attributes as part of delete process), up to the over-kill level.
The only strange thing about it is the way it identifies amount of overwriting:
Shred Once = 1 pass (pseudo-random data)
Extra Carefully = 3 pass (DoD 5220.22M)
Into Ashes = 7 pass (DoD 5220.22M)
Vaporize = 35 (Gutmann).
It would be useful, IMO, to explain to folks that the so-called Gutmann 35 pass is truly overkill, as it (a) technically would run less, as some of the 35 passes are methodologically designed for HDs no longer being sold, (b) takes F-O-R-E-V-E-R (it seems) for all the passes to complete, (c) will really exercise your HD, so may not be best if it is in marginal condition and planned for re-use.
Thanks for great info site.
We went into a bit of an explanation in the “8 Tools to Wipe a Hard Drive Before Selling or Lending It” article about the fact the Gutman pass method is pretty much irrelevant today.
35 passes on a whole hard drive is obviously madness whereas 35 passes on a few small documents or files won’t take too long. I’ve heard Zer0 uses up to 100 passes and that tool is pretty fast. :)
WipeFile seems nice. Thank you Raymond :-)
thnks for the information.
Nice article Bro. I use Secure Wipe that’s not included in the list. :)
Won’t you consider to try and review secure wipe?
Thanks
Thanks mate for the nice article ;).
Thanks for share. Very useful
Welcome back Mr Raymond and superb , Useful Article Thank you very much
Thanks for the info. Very useful :)
Hey Hal, I found the best way for wiping an entire drive and it’s pretty fast. Most drives come with a secure delete built into the hard drive itself. The computer manufacturers disable it in the bios but there is a way. A university, It is at University of California, San Diego, the place where they created it is called [Center for Magnetic Recording Research ] They made a program that you can boot from and it will securely wipe a drive where it’s unrecoverable. It’s it’s called Secure Erase and it’s free. And it is pretty much created by a bunch of genius scientists. I actually used it recently on a 6 year old computer and it worked like a charm. This is what the government really uses, not that DOD 7 pass crap.
Here is the link to the site cmrr.ucsd.edu/people/Hughes/secure-erase.html
Thank you, Dear friend Raymond…
Thank you very much Raymond for sharing !
This is a nice read Hal :-)
Thanks Saturn, an important subject that can sometime get overlooked…
Superb article – congrats!
I work with HardWipe and i just can say that never failed.
Regards