File shredder tools are now life savior, the list of tools you have shared are really good ones but there is one more tool available in the market which is absolutely free for 1 month can wipe files from any type of storage device beyond the scope of recovery. The Software name is Bitraser File Eraser, it would be great for users if will add this another amazing tool in your Best File Eraser List.
Use File Shredder. Stay away from Eraser.
I kept getting errors with Eraser… not designed for a Windows user… If I need to find app.config file then I wouldn’t be a windows user.
Installed FileShredder and it just works on Windows 10.
Thanks for the detailed analysis of these programs and for the followup comments. BUT how can I erase files already in the recycle bin?
How would you access it from the program?
Instead of going through that hassle, just download CCleaner, and when you open it up make sure you select “Wipe Free Space”. Any files you may have sent to recycle bin will then be wiped. In the options menu, you can also select how many passes you wish for the program to make when erasing your files.
I have File Shredder 2.5 on win7 pro SP1 and when “whipe free disk space” is used it also deletes all restore points in my system restore. Is that intended feature or glitch?
The list of file eraser tools is really nice but in this list i found one tool is missing name as Stellar Bitraser for file software. This software works very fast to delete files from any storage device.
Eraser (official version, downloaded Sept. 2017) does not erase files from memory-cards or USB-sticks formatted in ExFAT filesystem (unsupported filesystem error). Other mentioned file shredders can do it with no problems
20 Responses to “What's the best free file deletion software for Windows?”
Thanks, very well laid out!
File shredder tools are now life savior, the list of tools you have shared are really good ones but there is one more tool available in the market which is absolutely free for 1 month can wipe files from any type of storage device beyond the scope of recovery. The Software name is Bitraser File Eraser, it would be great for users if will add this another amazing tool in your Best File Eraser List.
Use File Shredder. Stay away from Eraser.
I kept getting errors with Eraser… not designed for a Windows user… If I need to find app.config file then I wouldn’t be a windows user.
Installed FileShredder and it just works on Windows 10.
Very helpful information. Thank you so much
I am using my laptop’s Thunderbolt Port to connect external HDD. Which tool will work best to wipe it?
Nice
Eraser is the best file shredder because it has the most algorithms?
Isn’t that’s like saying your car is the best because it has the most doors?
Regardless, I tried Eraser but I think the GUI sucks.
Thanks, but I’ll keep using File Shredder as it has more than enough algorithms and the GUI is good.
I’m looking for a program that will shred the contents of the recycle bin. You don’t even mention that! Worthless.
The idea is to shred files so that they do not end up in the Recycle Bin.
The idea is to shred files so that they do not end up in the Recycle Bin.
Thanks for the detailed analysis of these programs and for the followup comments. BUT how can I erase files already in the recycle bin?
How would you access it from the program?
Restore your files from the Recycle bin to their original location, and then delete them using one of the apps we tested.
OR
Instead of going through that hassle, just download CCleaner, and when you open it up make sure you select “Wipe Free Space”. Any files you may have sent to recycle bin will then be wiped. In the options menu, you can also select how many passes you wish for the program to make when erasing your files.
I have File Shredder 2.5 on win7 pro SP1 and when “whipe free disk space” is used it also deletes all restore points in my system restore. Is that intended feature or glitch?
The list of file eraser tools is really nice but in this list i found one tool is missing name as Stellar Bitraser for file software. This software works very fast to delete files from any storage device.
Eraser (official version, downloaded Sept. 2017) does not erase files from memory-cards or USB-sticks formatted in ExFAT filesystem (unsupported filesystem error). Other mentioned file shredders can do it with no problems
At 55.8MB download file size I won’t consider Eraser a “small” program.
None of these products securely deletes files on network shares, where 99% of my files reside. Oh how I yearn for the days of Evidence Eliminator!
Bleachbit should be considered, too.
Freeraser works on my Windows 8.1.