External storage devices harbor your documents, pictures, videos, music, and other personal files. Many people use external storage media as a backup storage option for their PC. Nevertheless, sometimes the data in the external storage device needs to be permanently erased.<\/p>
There are many reasons why you might want to wipe your external storage device, including recycling, sharing, or selling your external storage device, it’s important to clean it to prevent unauthorized exposure of sensitive personal data.<\/p>
How Simple Deletion Works on Any Storage Media?<\/strong><\/h2>When a file is deleted from the external storage media, only the pointer or address to the file is removed, not the actual file, and it is relocated to the Bin\/Trash folder. Files stay in this folder for 30 days after deletion, and if the time period expires or you manually empty the folder, then the OS removes the file from disk’s folder directory and makes the previously occupied space on the sector as available for storing new data.<\/p>
This means that the Master File Table (MFT) used by the device’s OS to track the record of files and folders no more holds the address to the file. <\/p>
However, if deletion doesn’t remove your data from the external storage devices, just format the device.<\/p>
How Formatting Works on Any Storage Media?<\/strong><\/h2>Formatting any storage device<\/a> not only deletes the files and folders stored in it, but wipes the device clean. However, there’s still some scope of recovery left depending on the type of formatting carried out.<\/p>![\"Formatting](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Permanently-Delete-Files-from-External-Storage-Devices.jpg\")
<\/figure>In all cases, quick, full, or SSD formatting, formatted data may remain recoverable unless a secure erasure technique is used to wipe them.<\/p>
Permanently Deletion Strategies from External Storage Devices<\/strong><\/h2>To permanently delete data from external storage devices beyond the scope of recovery, you can use one of the following methods:<\/p>
Method 1:<\/strong> Overwriting data<\/p>Method 2:<\/strong> Professional file erasure software<\/p>Method 3:<\/strong> Secure erase commands (for SSDs)<\/p>Method 4:<\/strong> Physical destruction<\/p>Each of these permanent deletion strategies works differently depending on the type of storage device.<\/p>![\"permanent](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Permanently-Deletion-Strategies.png\")
<\/figure>Method 1: Overwrite Data to Permanently Delete Files from Storage Devices<\/strong><\/h3>Overwriting is a method to write new data over existing or previously saved data in the storage device, reducing the chances of deleted file recovery with each overwrite. Unlike simple deletion, which just removes the file reference, overwriting replaces the original data with a new data pattern, such as Zeros (0x00), Ones (0xFF), and Random characters.<\/p>
Overwriting works well on external HDDs, USB flash drives, memory card and magnetic storage devices as they store data in fixed locations, which permits the overwrite tool to directly replace the original data. However, overwriting is not recommended for SSDs, as here the data is spread across memory cells, which forbids the overwrite command from targeting the original data block.<\/p>
Most overwriting tools allow:<\/p>
\n- Single-pass overwrite:<\/strong> Replaces original data once with a zero, and is sufficient for personal and everyday use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Multi-pass overwrites<\/strong>: Writes new data multiple times using a different pattern, best for highly sensitive data and legacy HDD.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Industry-standard overwrite<\/strong> methods predefined by organizations and governments, such as DoD<\/a>, NIST)<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Some of the best tools and commands for overwriting data on Windows and Mac are: SDelete (Windows Command-Line), Cipher Command (Built-in Windows Tool), Shred Command (macOS \/ Linux – Terminal), etc.<\/p>
1. SDelete (Windows Command-Line)<\/strong><\/h4>SDelete<\/strong> is a secure delete utility that uses the DOD 5220.22-M standard to erase data from connected SD card<\/a> with one pass.<\/p>To use SDelete<\/strong> for deleting files from the SD card, follow these steps:<\/p>Step 1:<\/strong> Download SDelete.exe<\/strong> from Microsoft’s official site.<\/p>![\"Download SDelete.exe from](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Download-SDelete.exe_.png\")
<\/figure>Step 2:<\/strong> Copy ‘SDelete.exe’<\/strong> and paste it into the root folder of the SD card (for example, if the SD card is assigned the letter D:, then paste the SDelete at D:\\SDelete).<\/p>Step 3:<\/strong> Press & hold the Shift<\/strong> key and right-click in the root directory of the SD card.<\/p>Step 4:<\/strong> Choose ‘Open command window here<\/strong>’ from the context menu.<\/p>Step 5:<\/strong> To delete a file, at the command prompt, type: sdelete –p 2 ‘FilePath’ (replace FilePath with the file location, such as “D:\\PrivateFiles\\MySecretFile.txt”).<\/p>Step 6:<\/strong> To delete a folder containing subfolders and files, type sdelete –s –r –p 2 ‘.\\FolderPATH’ (here –s and –r are used to erase the folder and subfolders recursively along with contained files with 2 passes).<\/p>2. Cipher Command (Built-in Windows Tool)<\/strong><\/h4>Cipher.exe<\/a> can overwrite data that has been deleted, so it can’t be recovered or accessed. It is a Windows built-in feature run in Windows PowerShell that can completely erase deleted data beyond recovery.<\/p>\n- Quit all programs. Select Start<\/strong> >> Run<\/strong>, type cmd<\/em>, and then press Enter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Type cipher \/w:<directory>, and then press ENTER, where <directory> is any folder in the volume that you want to clean.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"Cipher](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Linux-Terminal.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n- Data that isn’t allocated to files or folders is overwritten, while data on the allocated space will not be touched.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
3.<\/strong> Shred Command (macOS\/ Linux Terminal)<\/strong><\/h4>This secure file-deletion application in Mac or Linux overwrites a file’s data multiple times before actually removing it. macOS does not include shred by default, can be installed via Homebrew (part of GNU coreutils), where it is available as gshred.<\/p>
Command<\/strong>: gshred -n 3 -z -u filename.<\/em><\/strong> Here, it overwrites the file 3 times.<\/p>![\"Shred](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Powershell-Window.jpg\")
<\/figure>The shred command doesn’t guarantee complete data destruction on external storage media connected to Modern Macs, which is why it is recommended that professional eraser tools are more reliable.<\/p>
\nImportant Note: Limitations of Using Conventional Command-line Tools<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThese command-line tools might not be suitable for non-technical users as they are complex and time-consuming. In addition, they are often unable to recognize, access, or overwrite data contained in bad and hidden sectors. Relying on these tools could leave fragments of sensitive data recoverable, putting your privacy and security at risk.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>
Method 2: Use Professional File Erasure to Permanently Erase Your External Device Files<\/strong><\/h3>Simply deleting files using your PC or Mac settings does not erase them from your computer, as any data recovery software can easily trace and recover them.<\/p>
Formatting any storage device<\/a> not only deletes the files and folders stored in it, but wipes the device clean. However, there’s still some scope of recovery left depending on the type of formatting carried out.<\/p> In all cases, quick, full, or SSD formatting, formatted data may remain recoverable unless a secure erasure technique is used to wipe them.<\/p> To permanently delete data from external storage devices beyond the scope of recovery, you can use one of the following methods:<\/p> Method 1:<\/strong> Overwriting data<\/p> Method 2:<\/strong> Professional file erasure software<\/p> Method 3:<\/strong> Secure erase commands (for SSDs)<\/p> Method 4:<\/strong> Physical destruction<\/p> Each of these permanent deletion strategies works differently depending on the type of storage device.<\/p> Overwriting is a method to write new data over existing or previously saved data in the storage device, reducing the chances of deleted file recovery with each overwrite. Unlike simple deletion, which just removes the file reference, overwriting replaces the original data with a new data pattern, such as Zeros (0x00), Ones (0xFF), and Random characters.<\/p> Overwriting works well on external HDDs, USB flash drives, memory card and magnetic storage devices as they store data in fixed locations, which permits the overwrite tool to directly replace the original data. However, overwriting is not recommended for SSDs, as here the data is spread across memory cells, which forbids the overwrite command from targeting the original data block.<\/p> Most overwriting tools allow:<\/p> Some of the best tools and commands for overwriting data on Windows and Mac are: SDelete (Windows Command-Line), Cipher Command (Built-in Windows Tool), Shred Command (macOS \/ Linux – Terminal), etc.<\/p> SDelete<\/strong> is a secure delete utility that uses the DOD 5220.22-M standard to erase data from connected SD card<\/a> with one pass.<\/p> To use SDelete<\/strong> for deleting files from the SD card, follow these steps:<\/p> Step 1:<\/strong> Download SDelete.exe<\/strong> from Microsoft’s official site.<\/p> Step 2:<\/strong> Copy ‘SDelete.exe’<\/strong> and paste it into the root folder of the SD card (for example, if the SD card is assigned the letter D:, then paste the SDelete at D:\\SDelete).<\/p> Step 3:<\/strong> Press & hold the Shift<\/strong> key and right-click in the root directory of the SD card.<\/p> Step 4:<\/strong> Choose ‘Open command window here<\/strong>’ from the context menu.<\/p> Step 5:<\/strong> To delete a file, at the command prompt, type: sdelete –p 2 ‘FilePath’ (replace FilePath with the file location, such as “D:\\PrivateFiles\\MySecretFile.txt”).<\/p> Step 6:<\/strong> To delete a folder containing subfolders and files, type sdelete –s –r –p 2 ‘.\\FolderPATH’ (here –s and –r are used to erase the folder and subfolders recursively along with contained files with 2 passes).<\/p> Cipher.exe<\/a> can overwrite data that has been deleted, so it can’t be recovered or accessed. It is a Windows built-in feature run in Windows PowerShell that can completely erase deleted data beyond recovery.<\/p> This secure file-deletion application in Mac or Linux overwrites a file’s data multiple times before actually removing it. macOS does not include shred by default, can be installed via Homebrew (part of GNU coreutils), where it is available as gshred.<\/p> Command<\/strong>: gshred -n 3 -z -u filename.<\/em><\/strong> Here, it overwrites the file 3 times.<\/p> The shred command doesn’t guarantee complete data destruction on external storage media connected to Modern Macs, which is why it is recommended that professional eraser tools are more reliable.<\/p> Important Note: Limitations of Using Conventional Command-line Tools<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n These command-line tools might not be suitable for non-technical users as they are complex and time-consuming. In addition, they are often unable to recognize, access, or overwrite data contained in bad and hidden sectors. Relying on these tools could leave fragments of sensitive data recoverable, putting your privacy and security at risk.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote> Simply deleting files using your PC or Mac settings does not erase them from your computer, as any data recovery software can easily trace and recover them.<\/p><\/figure>Permanently Deletion Strategies from External Storage Devices<\/strong><\/h2>
<\/figure>Method 1: Overwrite Data to Permanently Delete Files from Storage Devices<\/strong><\/h3>
\n
1. SDelete (Windows Command-Line)<\/strong><\/h4>
<\/figure>2. Cipher Command (Built-in Windows Tool)<\/strong><\/h4>
\n
<\/figure>\n
3.<\/strong> Shred Command (macOS\/ Linux Terminal)<\/strong><\/h4>
<\/figure>\n
Method 2: Use Professional File Erasure to Permanently Erase Your External Device Files<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Stellar](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/File-Eraser-tool.png\")
<\/figure>![\"select](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/select-Erase-Files-Folders.png\")
<\/figure>![\"Click Ok to](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Process-Completed.png\")
<\/figure>![\"Look](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Secure-Erase.jpg\")
<\/figure>