Normally, when you delete a file, the device's operating system marks that file as gone in its' master index of files on the device, but does not actually scrub the file itself from the system. While you no longer have access to the file, it still exists on the system and may remain in your device's storage for a long time.
A file eraser software protects you from identity theft, safeguards your privacy, and conserves our environment.
If you think the private data that you just deleted from your PC or storage media is gone forever and you are safe—think again!
When you delete a file in Windows, Mac, Linux, or any other device such as a smartphone or camera, only the address (pointer) to the file is deleted from the Master File Table (in NTFS drives) or File Allocation Table (in FAT16/32 & exFAT drives). The deleted data remains on the drive unless overwritten. And that’s exactly what a file eraser software does—overwrites the existing and already deleted files beyond recovery.
Today, we are going to list down the top 10 free file eraser software that can help you protect your sensitive information such application traces, system traces, and internet activities that contains confidential data like browsing history, net banking password, credit card or bank account details, private photos, videos, documents, emails, chat messages, and more—in just a few clicks.
These file eraser software will help you safeguard your privacy and protect your data from unauthorized access—when you sell, donate, or share your PC or storage media with others. After eraser, the storage drive can be reused or recycled effectively, which helps conserve our environment.
So if you are concerned about your privacy and security of personal data, read on to find out the best file eraser software out of the top 10 listed below.
BitRaser File Eraser is a freemium secure file eraser and a privacy safeguarding program with dedicated options to get rid of your sensitive and private data stored and hidden on your Windows system or external drive.
BitRaser File Eraser features 17 International data erasure algorithms such as DoD 5220.22-M (3 passes/7 passes), NATO, etc. that you can use to destroy your private data beyond the scope of recovery.
The software is going to meet your daily data sanitization requirements—both manually and automated—since the BitRaser File Eraser works similarly as your system cleaner app such as CCleaner.
Most importantly, the software creates a tamper-proof and digitally signed report—also called ‘Certificate of Erasure’—that can be used to meet the data protection laws and regulatory compliances.
The certificate also is an assurance that the data can’t be recovered through any data recovery software or service including forensics. Try this software absolutely free for 30 days.
Watch Now Top 10 File Eraser Tools
Eraser is a free file erasure utility that features 11 data erasure standards including DoD 5220.22-M to securely erase your private files from Windows and supported external storage drives. You can erase either individual files or the whole drive volume. It also facilitates the drag & drop feature for quick file eraser.
You can schedule data erasure tasks and erase all kinds of storage media such as traditional hard drives, SSDs, etc. Just select the storage media and overwrite the empty space on the storage drive to remove recoverable files beyond recovery.
Windows 10 File Shredder App
However, the software does not generate any data erasure report or certificate of eraser. And it can’t wipe the volume containing Windows installation.
Overall, the software is easy to use and can erase any file without any limitation.
WipeDrive is a bootable file eraser software from WhiteCanyon. The software allows you to securely erase your personal and confidential data from all kind of storage media such as hard drive, thumb drives, SD cards, etc.
WipeDrive also generates a detailed report (certificate) of files that are erased and can be used to meet the regulatory compliances. It’s the only file eraser software that meets the NIAP EAL4+ certification.
WipeDrive also allows you to wipe only the empty storage on a drive volume to get rid of previously deleted (recoverable) files. It works with any x86 architecture including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
NOTE: To use WipeDrive, you need to burn/buy it on an external storage media and boot to erase files.
Blancco File Eraser is also a freemium secure data eraser software that guarantees file elimination beyond recovery. The drag and drop feature of the software allows you to destroy your private files with selected data eraser standard quickly. You can also erase the Recycle Bin folder, empty storage space, and system files such as temporary files, cookies, and more.
Be cautious while using Blancco as you may mistakenly end up erasing some important system file that can lead to issues such as system fail to boot or system crash—leading to data loss.
It features 22 international file eraser standards including DoD 5220.22-M and generates a tamper-proof data erasure report that can be used to meet data protection regulatory compliances and audits.
HDShredder is a freemium secure file shredding and file eraser utility, just like Eraser. The software can also destroy every file that you throw on its way.
You can use HDShredder either after installation on Windows PC or create a bootable CD or USB drive. The bootable version can destroy files from a Mac and Linux system drives.
The software is easy to use with its wizard-like interface. However, it doesn’t generate any erasure report or data erasure certificate. Also, more useful features required for data destruction are reserved for the paid version.
CBL Data Eraser software is another free secure file shredding software like HDShredder. And the tool can be used either by installing on Windows or as a bootable standalone program.
The benefit of bootable file eraser software is that they run outside Windows and can wipe the entire disk with one just a few clicks.
In addition to above-listed data erasure algorithms, you can add your own data erasure algorithm to the CBL Data Shredder tool.
However, be careful as the software can wipe the operating system without warning. Besides, some text on the software is in German that cannot be changed.
PC Disk Eraser is a bootable data erasure program that can destroy data from a Windows, Linux, or macOS system. The file eraser software is available as an ISO image file that you can burn on a CD or USB drive, and then boot software from it.
The program is quite easy to use and displays detailed hard disk information that helps user identify the right storage media.
You can erase either entire disk or specific drive volume including the one that contains Windows installation. So be careful.
It uses the DOD 5220.22-M data erasure algorithm to wipe disk, partitions, and folders. But the tool has some limitations such as it does not allows mouse inputs. The tool can be operated by using keyboard inputs only.
Hardwipe is a free file sanitization program that can be installed on Windows or used as a bootable file eraser utility, similar to HDShredder.
Hardwipe features a simple and intuitive user interface that helps users to sanitize their confidential and private files quickly. You can also combine the software with Windows File Explorer and Windows Task Scheduler for automation.
However, to use it as a bootable version, you need to purchase the software license for commercial use. You can choose from two portable versions—32-bit or 64-bit, one with a graphical user interface (GUI) and another with command line interface (CLI).
The software supports multiple languages and you can download your desired language pack from its official website.
You can use Disk Wipe to erase entire hard disk volume or other storage media. It is a free secure file eraser software for Windows that features 6 data erasure standards to destroys data from any storage drive beyond the scope of recovery.
The software is available as a portable version and hence, does not require installation. Just download and double click on the .exe file to start wiping your confidential files from a drive volume. The software can’t destroy individual files and folders.
Secure Eraser supports four standards of data erasure to erase your files and sensitive data with up to 35 passes. It’ a basic but easy, lightweight and safe file eraser software for Windows that can destroy individual files and supports drag-drop feature.
However, be careful while installing the software as it tends to install other programs and change browser settings when you install the Secure Eraser setup—a perk of using free eraser tool.
Conclusion
A free file eraser software can save you from grave situations such as data breach and privacy compromises. One way to keep your data safe is to encrypt it; the other way is by using a file eraser software, which is more convenient, reliable, and safe.
The top 10 free file eraser software we discuss features multiple data erasure algorithms such as DOD 5220.22-M, NATO, etc. that ensure file destruction beyond recovery. That too to an extent where even forensics can’t get back the data.
Plus, the top 3 file erasure software also generates tamper-proof report/certificate of erasure that can be used to meet the data protection regulatory compliances such as GDPR, ISO 27001, ISO 27040, etc. This certificate also works as an assurance that your data is sanitized, i.e. securely erased beyond recovery.
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As we know that Windows data recovery software can easily recover deleted or formatted data under Windows 10, so deletion or format is not the right solution to permanently shred files under Windows 10. If you want to permanently delete or shred files under Windows 10, here are the top 8 file shredders for you. All of these Windows 10 file shredders can help you shred files under Windows 10. Some of them even can help you erase hard drive under Windows 10. Just select one of them to help you permanently erase data under Windows 10.
Top 8 file shredder for Windows 10
No.1 Windows 10 File Shredder – AweEraser
AweEraser offers military & government level data erasure solutions. It is the best file shredder for Windows 10 and other Windows systems. It can permanently shred files, erase hard drive and erase free disk space under Windows 10. It not only can permanently delete files from your hard drive, but it also can erase entire hard drive and erase already deleted/formatted data. This powerful Windows file shredder also can shred or erase data from USB flash drive, memory card, digital camera, external hard drive, etc. Download the best Windows 10 file shredder >>
No.2 Windows 10 File Shredder – BitRaser for File
BitRaser for File is capable of permanently erase files from Windows 10 hard drive or external device. With this tool, all the crucial information stored on the hard drive in the form of files and folders can be erased permanently.
No.3 Windows 10 File Shredder – CCleaner
CCleaner is a free system cleaning software. It offers file shredder to help in permanently shredding files on Windows. It is compatible with Windows 10. So you can use it to shred files under Windows 10.
No.4 Windows 10 File Shredder – ShredIt for Windows
This a smart Windows file shredder. Just drag the files and shred it with ShredIt for Windows. Before you give away your Windows 10 PC, you can run this file shredder on your computer and use it to securely shred files on your computer.
No.5 Windows 10 File Shredder – CleanMyPC
CleanMyPC is comprehensive system cleaning software. It offers a tool called Shredder. This tool can help you shred files under Windows 10 and avoid data recovery.
No.6 Windows 10 File Shredder – Super Eraser
Super Eraser is a famous data erasure application. It can help you permanently delete files under Windows 10. It also allows you to erase hard drive or erase deleted data under Windows 10.
No.7 Windows 10 File Shredder – KillDisk
KillDisk is old disk wiper for Windows. It can help you wipe hard drive disk on your PC. It can help you erase all files from hard drive under Windows 10.
No.8 Windows 10 File Shredder – File Shredder
With File Shredder you can remove files from your hard drive without fear they could be recovered. It can permanently shred files, folders from Windows 10 hard drive or storage media device. Just add files or folders, it will permanently erase them and make data recovery impossible.
Shred files with Windows 10 file shredder
Windows 10 file shredder can help you easily and securely shred files on Windows 10. You can download a Windows 10 file shredder to help you permanently delete files on Windows 10 or from digital storage media. Here, we recommend AweEraser, download it here:
Then follow the steps below to quickly shred files on Windows 10.
Step 1: Choose mode - Erase Files.
This Windows 10 file shredder offers three data erasure modes. Just choose mode - Erase Files.
Step 2: Permanently erase files with AweEraser.
Add files/folders to erasure list and click on Erase button. All the selected files/folders will be permanently erased.
AweEraser also can help you wipe hard drive on Windows 10, wipe deleted data on Windows 10. It even can help you fix corrupted file system on Windows 10. This powerful Windows 10 file shredder is 100% safe, never cause any damage.
