How to Remove Deleted Files From a Hard Drive

Permanently remove hard drive files.

Each time you delete a file from your hard drive, the Windows operating system saves it to the Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin is an archive directory filled with the files you have deleted from the system. If you realize you want to restore a file, you can recover it from the Recycle Bin. These files take up space on the hard drive, so emptying the Recycle Bin saves space and it permanently removes unwanted, saved Windows files.

Instructions

1. Minimize any open windows on your computer. Double-click the "Recycle Bin" icon on the desktop. This opens a new window that shows all the deleted files on the hard drive.

2. Scroll through the list of files to ensure there are no deleted files you want to permanently remove. If you want to restore a file, right-click it and select "Restore." This removes it from the Recycle Bin so it is not permanently removed.

3. Click the "File" menu item in the main toolbar and select "Empty Recycle Bin." The files are permanently deleted from the hard drive.

References

• Microsoft: Empty the Recycle Bin