Hello. My laptop uses SSD. Is it true that when I delete files from folders and the Trash Bin, the files simply vanish, but they remain on the SSD, and there is no way to erase them? Will the files be totally destroyed if I perform a clean install, or will they remain? Also, if files are never erased, why does Windows show greater free space on a disk after deleting a few gigabytes of data? Why have I never run out of space, although my SSD is 200GB and the total amount of write/delete information is more than 4 terabytes?
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Jaden· Answered on Jan 04, 2024
The simple answer is no. You might think of the Recycle Bin as the last line of defense for the data you want to get rid of. Whether you accidentally or purposely lost crucial data from your SSD, you may recover it here before permanently deleting it from your machine.
In Windows, all deleted files are still safely preserved on your computer's hard disk. Just because you can't see it doesn't imply it doesn't exist. You may not realize it, but failing to empty Recycle bins and hard drives may allow hackers and scammers to recover long-forgotten confidential data, posing a risk to your organization. Your data is still at risk unless it is digitally shredded or entirely deleted from your storage resources.
When you delete a file on your computer and empty the Recycle Bin, your data does not entirely disappear. Although the file is no longer visible in its original location and your operating system possesses it, a copy remains on your hard drive. The file will remain in the exact spot until another file replaces it. That is to say; when you delete a file permanently, you just remove the entry for that file, not the file itself. The file is removed from the file system tables but not deleted. It is, in fact, still physically there on the hard disk.
When you use your computer's built-in delete file function, it only renders the files unsearchable and visible on Windows; the data about them is still kept on your computer's hard disk, and you may still retrieve the files using professional data recovery software.
However, if you mistakenly empty the recycle bin with important files, you can still recover permanently deleted files from the emptied Recycle Bin. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, a well-known data recovery program, will assist you in recovering lost data in any complicated situation.
Use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to recover deleted or lost files easily and quickly.
Tutorials on how to recover lost, deleted, or formatted data from HDD, SSD, USB, SD card, or other storage media on Windows and Mac.
FAQs
Hi, To completely delete files from your computer, you need to use a tool that can overwrite the data with random patterns, making it impossible to recover. Eraser is one of such tools that can securely erase files, folders, or entire drives.
How permanently delete files from computer? ›
Method 2: Permanently delete files using File Explorer Ribbon
- Open File Explorer by pressing WINDOWS + E.
- Locate the file/s you want to delete and select them.
- Click on Home in the File Explorer ribbon.
- Locate the Delete icon and click on the down arrow under it.
- Click on Permanently Delete.
Where does it exactly go, or is it just ever really gone forever? Some of you may breathe a sigh of relief, thinking that the data is gone forever once deleted. But, this is not the case. The deleted information is never really gone; you can easily recover it.
How do I completely delete all files from my computer? ›
There are 3 options available to wipe laptop hard drive data in Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Then click "Get Started" button in the "Reset this PC" section. Choose "Remove everything".
Can files be recovered after permanently deleted? ›
How can I recover permanently deleted files from the Recycle Bin without third-party software? The quickest way to recover files that have been permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin is with Windows File Recovery. You can also go into the File History of a file and restore a past version.
Are deleted files ever completely removed? ›
Generally speaking, when you delete a file from your computer (and subsequently empty it from the recycle bin), that doesn't always mean the file is actually gone. What it means is that the reference to the file is gone.
Can police recover deleted files from computer? ›
Deleted data can serve as crucial evidence in legal investigations. Even if a user attempts to erase their digital footprint, traditional forensic tools can often recover deleted files, emails, or other digital artifacts. This recovered data can provide insights into the actions and intentions of individuals involved.
Where do permanently deleted files go? ›
Permanently deleted files are not necessarily gone forever, as their data usually remains on the storage device until it's overwritten by new information. As long as they haven't been overwritten, there's a good chance these files can be retrieved using a data recovery program.
How do I make sure my computer has permanently deleted files? ›
Select the file you want to permanently delete and press Shift + Delete together. Windows will ask you to confirm. Click Yes. When you delete files through keyboard shortcuts, the entire “Recycle Bin” step is skipped.
How do I remove all traces from deleted files? ›
Run disk cleanup: To free up any additional space that may still be occupied by the deleted user's files, you can run the Disk Cleanup utility. To do this, open File Explorer and right-click on the drive where the user's files were stored. Click on "Properties", and then click on "Disk Cleanup".
XL Delete is a powerful secure delete tool that will permanently delete sensitive and private files. XL Delete can permanently remove any file, entire folders, and even Internet cookies, history, and cache files. Anything you delete with XL Delete cannot be retrieved using file recovery software.
How do I make it impossible to recover deleted files? ›
To really prevent someone from recovering any of your data, you can use a disk-wiping program, such as DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke.) Burn DBAN to a CD, boot from it, and it will erase everything from your hard drive, including your operating system and all your personal files, overwriting them with useless data.
How do I permanently delete everything off my computer? ›
Go to Settings > System > Recovery and click Reset PC. When asked what you want to erase, select Remove everything. Choose Local reinstall to reinstall Windows from this device, since it will run faster than the cloud download.
How to completely wipe a PC before selling? ›
How to wipe your computer hard drive
- Go to “Settings.”
- Choose “System” on the left side menu.
- Click “Recovery.”
- Click “Reset PC.”
- Choose “Keep my files” (removes apps and settings but keeps your personal files) or “Remove everything” (removes apps, settings, and your personal files).
Deleted files are still recoverable!
Yes, you read that right. Emptying your Recycle Bin doesn't permanently delete your files.
How do I permanently delete files from my computer before selling? ›
How to wipe your computer hard drive
- Go to “Settings.”
- Choose “System” on the left side menu.
- Click “Recovery.”
- Click “Reset PC.”
- Choose “Keep my files” (removes apps and settings but keeps your personal files) or “Remove everything” (removes apps, settings, and your personal files).
More Information. When deleting a folder or group of files: Select the folder or group of files to be deleted. Hold down the SHIFT key while pressing the DELETE key.
How do I permanently delete unwanted files? ›
Disk cleanup in Windows
- In the search box on the taskbar, type disk cleanup, and select Disk Cleanup from the list of results.
- Select the drive you want to clean up, and then select OK.
- Under Files to delete, select the file types to get rid of. To get a description of the file type, select it.
- Select OK.
