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Files deleted from your PC are still recoverable, at least in the short term. To ensure that files are permanently deleted, you may use SDelete. This command-line utility securely erases data, making it unrecoverable.
What is SDelete?
When you delete a file, the computer simply marks the space occupied by the data as unallocated. This means that until another application overwrites data into that space, the contents are recoverable usingdata recovery tools.
SDelete can ensure deleted files are safe from recovery. This command-line utility not only deletes existing files but also clears previously deleted data lingering in the unallocated portions of your disk. The tool securely erases data using the robust data deletion standardDOD 5220.22-M, recommended by the U.S. Department of Défense. It works by overwriting file data on disk clusters.
How to Install SDelete
To get started, head toMicrosoft Sysinternal’s page. ClickDownload SDeleteto save the zipped file to your local drive. Right-click the download file, chooseExtract All, choose a destination folder, and then clickExtract.
Since SDelete is a command-line utility, it doesn’t function like a conventional application with a graphical interface. To set it up, first move the extractedSDeletefolder to theC:\Program Filesdirectory. Once done, follow these steps:
With SDelete configured, let’s launch the tool and see how it works.
How to Use SDelete to Delete Files Permanently
Before starting, it’s a good idea toback up your data. Additionally, consider testing SDelete on a virtual machine first to minimize the risk of accidentally deleting important files. If you don’t have a virtual machine yet, you can easilyset up a virtual machine on your Windows PCto test it.
To get started,launch Command Prompt as an administrator. In Command Prompt, typeSDeleteand pressEnterto launch the tool. This will display a list of parameters and arguments you can use with the SDelete command for securely deleting files and cleaning up disk space.
For this guide, we’ll securely delete an MP3 file located in theC: Mediafolder.OpenFile Explorer, locate and right-click the MP3 file, then selectCopy as Pathto copy its full file path.
Next, in the Command Prompt, typeSDeletefollowed by the file path. For example, the full command would look like this:
PressEnterto execute the command. If successful, you’ll see the output:
Files deleted: 1
Next, let’s try deleting theMediafolder located inC:.
When removing a folder, you need to include its subdirectories and handle any read-only attributes to ensure everything is cleaned up properly. To do this, use the SDelete command with the-sparameter to include subdirectories and-rto remove read-only attributes.
The full command will look like this:
After running the command, the output will show the number of directories and files that were deleted.
Other Uses of SDelete
In addition to securely deleting files, SDelete offers several other features for managing data. Here are some additional ways you can use SDelete.
Manage Unallocated Space
The -c parameter allows you to clean up unallocated space previously used by deleted data without affecting your existing files. To use this, typeSDeletefollowed by the-cparameter and the drive letter. For example, to clean up free space on theF:drive, run:
Specify the Number of Overwrite Passes
By default, SDelete overwrites the unlocated space once to make the recovery process difficult. To make data recovery even harder, you can use the-pparameter followed by a number to set multiple overwrite passes. For instance, using the following command to overwrite the target three times, and so on:
SDelete goes beyond the conventional delete action offered by Windows and other operating systems. Cleaning up your disk space with SDelete will ensure nobody can retrieve any data when you trade in or give away your PC. Even then, disposing of old tech is risky. Here are thethings you absolutely need to do before selling your laptop or phone.
