How to Delete Files Permanently Using Command-Line
Quick Navigation:
- What Are the Advantages of Deleting Files with Command-Line?
- Guide to How to Delete Files Using Command Prompt
- 1. How to permanently delete a single file with CMD
- 2. How to permanently delete multiple files with command line
- 3. Delete File with Particular Extension
- 4. Deleting Read-only Files
- How to Use Qiling File Shredder to Permanently Delete Files on Windows PC
If you intend to delete files from your Windows computer, then the easiest way is to press the "Delete" key on your keyboard. However, it does not help in deleting the files permanently from the computer. Nonetheless, you can opt for Windows command to permanently delete files to ensure privacy and safety.
What Are the Advantages of Deleting Files with Command-Line?
The command prompt feature in Windows operating system helps you delete files using simple instructions. With the help of the PowerShell and command prompt, you can do anything with simple codes. Additionally, erasing multiple files or a single file from a local disk on the hard drive is not tedious.
When you use the "Delete" key, you are not deleting the file but removing the indexing capability and making the file invisible to the operating system. Permanently delete files command line helps in removing them from the system without a trace. It means you cannot get back the data. You can use the command prompt to delete a single file, files with a particular extension, or remove read-only files.
Guide to How to Delete Files Using Command Prompt
To permanently delete files using the command prompt in Windows, you can use the following methods:
1. How to permanently delete a single file with CMD
- a. Open the command prompt using the search feature from the start menu.
- b. In the cmd screen, use the "cd" command to go to the folder containing the file that you like to delete. such as: "cd c:\users\vamsi\desktop\del".
- c. Once you are within the folder, you can see in the command prompt window, enter, and execute the following command. Remember to replace the (image-1.png) with the original filename that you like to erase.
2. How to permanently delete multiple files with command line
2.1 Mentioning Names Manually
- a. Start the command prompt and head to the location containing the files that you like to remove.
- b. Execute the below command to remove the files from the folder.
2.2 Bulk Delete Files
To remove the files from the folder, you can use the `del` command in the Command Prompt. Here's how you can do it:
Launch the command prompt from the start menu and enter the following command. Windows will show a warning message. Press "Y" and "Enter" to execute the command.
Note: In the above command, you can replace the "image" with any other name.
3. Delete File with Particular Extension
The command will help you remove all the files, followed by the file extension that you want to remove from the computer.
Note: You can replace the ".png" with another file extension to delete files with ease.
4. Deleting Read-only Files
As read-only files are difficult to delete, you have to enter different commands to access the files and then remove them from the computer.
- a. Open the command prompt and head to the folder containing the read-only file/files.
- b.Use the following command:
Note: Enter the original file name after "/f"
You can delete files in command prompt using the above steps. You can opt for a single file, multiple files, or a file extension. It all relies on what you like to remove and the quantity. Even after going through such a pain, it is possible to recover the files using recovery programs.
Deleting files and directories in the Command Prompt (CMD) is a straightforward process. However, it's essential to note that even after deletion, the files and directories still reside in memory. To permanently remove or wipe away the contents, consider using a file shredder alternative to the Windows command prompt.
When you need to permanently delete files in the Windows command line, using a file eraser tool can be a more efficient and secure alternative to the built-in `del` command. The best file eraser tool can ensure that files and other contents are removed irreversibly, providing complete privacy and security to your data.
Your Effective Permanently Delete File Software
- You can permanently delete files from various storage devices, including SSD, hard disk, SD card, USB drive, and more, using the Windows operating system. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for deleting files from different storage devices in Windows 10/8/7/XP.
- You can erase partitions and volumes from your hard disk drive (HDD) and solid-state drive (SSD) to improve performance. This process involves deleting the existing partition or volume and creating a new one.
- Wipes contents, volumes, and partitions from external storage devices.
How to Use Qiling File Shredder to Permanently Delete Files on Windows PC
Qiling File Shredder is a reliable tool for permanently erasing data and protecting your privacy. Unlike deleting files using the Command Prompt (CMD), which can be recovered with recovery software, Qiling File Shredder ensures that your files are completely erased. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use Qiling File Shredder:
Step 1: QILING is offering the File Shredder program as a trial version. You can click the DOWNLOAD button download the installation file and complete the installation. You will be using the icon appearing on the desktop to launch the program.
Step 2: The main screen of the Qiling File Shredder program contains many tabs. You can click "Tools and utilities" tab, and then click "File shredder" to navigate to the folder containing the files that you like to erase permanently from the computer. You can choose multiple files, folders, or even a partition. You can also select the number of times that you like to repeat the process.
Step 3: Choose the file, files, folder, folders, or a partition from the navigation window. You can then press the "Proceed" button to rermanently delete files.
Step 4: Depending on the number of files selected, and the number of times you opted to repeat the shredding process, the time to complete the process varies from one person to another. You will be noticing the shredding percentage on screen. Wait until the process is complete. Upon completion, the selected files will no longer appear on your system, and you cannot recover them in any case. Try the software to delete files permanently now!!!
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