How to securely delete your files with SDelete in Windows 10/8/7?
This post written byMiniTooldescribes this free command-line utility in detail.
Just read it to know much information, as well as an SDelete alternative for wiping data permanently.
You may choose to delete any file on a hard drive by Shift+Delete keyboard combination.
The space that the file occupies is available again for write operations.
Once the space is overwritten partially or fully, the file is unrecoverable.
Due to some reasons, this is bad.
To securely delete files permanently, Microsoft has a command-line utility SDelete.
What Is Sysinternals SDelete?
How can you back up your disk data?
Afree backup software MiniTool ShadowMaker can be your good assistant.
File sync means the original folder and target folder are identical and you could directly use files.
Just get MiniTool ShadowMaker by hitting the download button and start a file backup.
Here, we will take file sync as an example.
MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
1.
Double-poke the icon of MiniTool ShadowMaker on your rig to run this program.
Go to theSyncpage and choose files you want to back up by entering theSourcesection.
After finishing the selections, clickSync Nowto start the sync operation.
After finishing file backup, now you’re free to perform the file deletion with SDelete.
The following is how to use this command-line tool.
How to Use SDelete in Windows 10/8/7?
Download and Add SDelete
1.
Download
Windows SDelete is downloadable.
Add SDelete to CMD
This tool doesnt have a traditional installer.
Some of you may choose to directly double-pick the .exe file.
Actually, this doesnt work.
Extract the file to a folder called SDelete.
you’re free to put the folder to your desktop or the path C:\Program Files.
Right-click onThis PCin File Explorer and chooseProperties.
In the new window, clickAdvanced system controls.
Under theAdvancedtab, clickEnvironment Variables.
In the new window, clickNewandBrowseto find the SDelete folder and add it to the list.
Finally, clickOKthree times to preserve your change.
Also, it’s possible for you to clean free space on your logical disk.
It accepts wild card characters as part of the file specifier or directory.
When you pressWindows + R, inputcmdin theRunwindow and clickOKto run Command Prompt.
Then, throw in thesdeletecommand and pressEnter.
You will get the following figure, showing you some parameters.
sdelete c p 3 f: This runs three delete passes on the free disk space of F drive.
sdelete z d: This zeroes the free disk space of D drive.
This benefits virtual disk optimization.
For deleting free disk space, this may take some time to complete.
After finishing deletion, you might run data recovery software to peek if your files can be recovered.
Without a doubt, they are unrecoverable.
Here is all the information on how to use SDelete to delete files and free disk space.
Sometimes you may be bothered by the SDelete access denied issue.
In these cases, it is necessary to look for an alternative to SDelete to erase your data.
Well then, which one should you use?
MiniTool Solution has such a tool and it is MiniTool Partition Wizard.
As apartition manager, it has many powerful features, such as resize/extend/format/delete partition, etc.
MiniTool Partition Wizard FreeClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
1.
Double-tap on the icon of MiniTool Partition Wizard to launch it.
Click theLaunch Applicationssection to the main interface.
Choose the target partition and selectWipe Partitionfrom thePartition Managementmenu.
As for the wiping methods, each one gets a different result and take uneven time.
MiniTool Partition Wizard wipes partition by repeatedly filling sectors or writing 3/7 times.
When returning to the main interface, the partition has become unformatted.
Just clickApplyto let the change take effect.
After finishing all the operations, you might format the target partition and write new data to the place.
MiniTool Partition Wizard is an excellent SDelete alternative.
With it, you are able to erase your disk or partition data easily.
Just share it to let more people know.Click to Tweet
Bottom Line
What is SDelete?
How to use SDelete in Windows 10/8/7?
After reading this post, you know much information on this command-line tool offered by Microsoft.
It is pretty difficult to use this utility if you are a common user.
To easily erase your data enduringly, use its alternative MiniTool Partition Wizard.
Besides, any suggestion is also welcome.
And we will reply to you as fast as we can.
