How to Permanently Delete Files without Sending Them to the Recycle Bin

Recycle Bin works as a saviour for your accidentally deleted data. When you delete a file or folder on a Windows PC, the data goes straight into the Recycle Bin. From there, you can restore the deleted data in just a few clicks. However, often to free up some storage space in your PC, you need to empty the Recycle Bin too.

In some cases, you may also want to delete the files or folders directly without sending them to the Recycle Bin (i.e. permanent deletion), for which the Shift+Delete key combination is to be used in every single instance.

So, how to circumvent this situation?

If you don’t want to use Shift+Delete and stick with Delete key or right-click, take either of these measures—

1.  Change the Recycle Bin Properties
2. Use a reliable Data Erasure software

CAUTION: Deletion does not remove the data from your storage drives immediately, even if you have permanently deleted it using the shift+delete keys or emptied the Recycle Bin. When you permanently delete files and folders in Windows, only the path to access the particular files or folders is deleted from the Master File Table (MFT), used by the operating system to locate and provide you access to files and folders on a storage media.

Therefore, if your data is sensitive and confidential, it is highly recommended that you use a professional data erasure software such as Stellar file Eraser to destroy the data from any storage media beyond recovery.

Stellar File Eraser is a secure and certified data erasure software that is equipped with 3 international data erasure standards such as DoD 5220.22-M, etc. to sanitize data from all kinds of storage media, permanently. [][

/You can read more about the software here.

1. Change Properties to Skip Recycle Bin

Follow these steps to change the Recycle Bin folder settings and properties in order to skip it when you permanently delete files from your Windows PC.

• Log in to your Windows PC
• On the Desktop, locate Recycle Bin folder
• Right-click on the Recycle Bin and choose Properties
• Under ‘Settings for Selected location’, choose the ‘Don’t move files to Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted.’ radio button.
• If you want to prevent accidental deletion, click the ‘Display delete confirmation dialog’ checkbox
• Click the ‘Apply’ button and then ‘OK’ to save the changed Recycle Bin settings/properties

From now on, when you delete a file or folder, it will be permanently deleted from the system. Windows will automatically skip the Recycle Bin and based on your settings, you may get prompt to confirm permanent file deletion.

You can restore the settings to default anytime you want. However, as we mentioned earlier, the deleted files are actually not removed from your drive. Therefore, you can easily recover them with a data recovery software and so can others. Thus, to get rid of your sensitive information — private videos, pictures, office documents, and other confidential files— it is recommended to use a data erasure tool to nullify any chances of unauthorized access even if you lose your storage media or device.

2. Using Data Erasure Tool

Follow these steps to delete files permanently beyond recovery:

• Install and run Stellar File Eraser

• Go to ‘Settings’ and choose the desired data erasure algorithm and verification method
• Click ‘Home’ and then click ‘Erase Files and Folders’’
• You can either search and erase specific files or add files from the hard drive.
• After selection, click the ‘Erase Now’ button present at the bottom-right section
• Confirm erasure when prompted and wait for the software to destroy selected files and folders beyond the scope of recovery
• After erasure, the software prompts you to reboot the system. Click ‘Yes’

Pro Tip: From next time onwards, if you ever need to delete any file while skipping the Recycle Bin folder, just right-click on the file or folder and choose ‘Erase with Stellar File Eraser’ (see screenshot).

When prompted, grant the permission, and the selected file or folder will get permanently and instantly erased with your desired preset data erasure algorithm.

The Stellar File Eraser also works as a privacy-safeguarding tool and thus, you can use it to sanitize (secure-erase) your internet activities, system traces, and application traces besides erasing confidential files and wiping empty storage space.

Conclusion

Skipping the Recycle Bin could be devastating especially when you accidentally delete crucial files. You might not be aware but human errors are the second most common reason for data loss. Therefore, use this option with caution. We have already mentioned how you can alter Recycle Bin settings to skip the Recycle Bin folder whenever you delete a file from your system. We highly recommend you enable delete confirmation dialog box to avoid accidental deletion of crucial files.

Moreover, if the files you are going to delete are confidential and sensitive, use a certified data erasure software such as Stellar File Eraser to permanently destroy the private data from your system. This will prevent data recovery through any software or service including forensics since Stellar File Eraser software uses 3 internationally acclaimed data erasure algorithms to destroy sensitive data.

It is always better to be prepared than be sorry.

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About The Author

Aruna Attri

Aruna Attri is a Senior Data Recovery Expert at Stellar®. She is a technology blogger and Windows expert. She has experience in Windows data recovery domain. She loves to troubleshoot Windows issue and write technical tips and tutorials.