How to Permanently Delete Files in Windows
When you delete a file from your computer, it is not actually erased from your hard drive. Deleted files can be recovered by various file-recovery software tools. If you don't want that to happen, you can permanently delete files to ensure that no one will ever be able to recover them. You can download the free Eraser tool for that purpose.
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Instructions
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Download and install the Eraser program from eraser.heidi.ie.
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Open the Eraser program.
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Edit the erasing options by clicking "Edit" > "Preferences" > "Erasing."
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Choose a method for erasing your files. For maximum security, select the Gutmann method, which overwrites your files 35 times with special patterns of data.
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Create a new task to erase all unused disk space on your hard drive. This will eliminate any files you deleted before using the Eraser program. The task can be run on demand or scheduled to run at a time of your choosing.
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Permanently delete sensitive files by right-clicking the file or folder and selecting "Erase" from the menu. If you can't get into the habit of right-clicking to delete files, you can delete your files to the Recycle Bin, then right-click the Recycle Bin and select "Erase Recycle Bin."
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Tips & Warnings
When you need to move secure files to a different location, right-click and use "Eraser Secure Move." This will move your files to the new location and securely erase the files from the old location.
If you ever sell or give your computer to someone else, permanently delete your sensitive files first. Erase anything you wouldn't want someone else to read, such as budget information or personal letters to friends.
Eraser securely deletes files by overwriting the files several times with other data. Because of the increased writing to disk, this could potentially cause your hard drive to wear out faster than normal.
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