Data/File Shredder Software, Why Do We Need Them?
The extent of information stored on computers is increasing substantially. While it is easy to access personal and confidential information on PC’s or laptops, it is hard to save them from privacy breaches.
We think that merely deleting them permanently wipes all the information from your PC. But in reality, deleting any file does not mean that it has been completely removed from your Windows PC. On the contrary it stays on your PC until and unless the space occupied the file gets overwritten by any other data.
Then, how can one permanently delete files? This is exactly where the need of file shredder software arises.
What is File Shredder Software?
If you want to securely delete files in such a way that your personal data cannot be recovered back, you will have to make use of data shredder software.
A file shredder software deletes files and folders permanently from your Windows PC. They delete files by overwriting the space occupied by the files to be deleted permanently. Thus it makes use of Data Sanitization methods to overwrite specific files.
Data Sanitization Methods:
The way any data shredding program overwrites data on a hard drive or any external drive. Data sanitization methods are commonly referred to as wipe algorithms, data wipe methods, data erasure methods etc.
Some of the most used data sanitization methods by the best file eraser software are:
Secure Erase, DoD 5220.22-M, NCSC-TG-025, AFSSI-5020, Random Data, AR 380-19, Write Zero, Schneier, VSITR, GOST p50739-95, Pfitzner, NAVSO P-5239-26, RCMP TSSIT OPS-II, HMG IS5, CSEC ITSG-06, NZSIT 402.
File Shredder programs can use one or more than one data sanitization methods to erase data permanently.
Best File Shredder Software for Windows PC:
Let’s get started and cover the top 10 File Shredder programs for Windows and permanently delete files so that they cannot be recovered.
1. Advanced System Optimizer:
Advanced System Optimizer is a one-stop solution to all your Windows PC problems. Having this awesome tool installed on your Windows PC, you can easily sit back and relax. From managing out of date drivers to optimizing system performance, it does every task you can think of.
One major module of this multi-utility tool is Secure Delete which makes it one of the convenient options for file shredder Windows 10 & 11. Secure Delete makes sure all the deleted or existing data is permanently deleted so that it cannot be recovered by any file recovery utility. It ensures that there is no harm to your personal information and it cannot be hacked in any way.
Secure Delete gives you three different modes namely:
Wipe Files & Folders: This mode lets you delete files and folders from your System.
Wipe Recycle Bin: This feature permanently deletes the total content in the Recycle Bin
Wipe Drive: If you wish to wipe the complete drive, use this option.
Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M
Compatibility: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista and XP (both 32 bit and 64 bit)
To use Secure Delete, you must possess the registered version of the product.
2. O&O SafeErase 17:
Keep your data safe from any kind of hacking and security threat. Download O&O SafeErase 12 and relax. This amazing tool wipes your sensitive data stored on your Windows PC on a permanent basis.
It provides the option to permanently delete files, folders, memory cards, USB sticks. Its Instant Erase feature is a must use for instant deletion of data.
It uses 6 different data sanitization methods or deletion methods to provide utmost security.
Compatibility: Windows 11, 10 and below version
3. Secure Eraser:
It is a multi-utility suite that not only provides data shredding but you can also optimize your Windows Registries using it.
Easy drag and drop facility makes it easy to use. Once file deletion is complete the program gives you options to exit the software, reboot the computer etc.
Data Sanitization methods used are: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data, VSITR.
Compatibility: Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as Windows Server 2012, 2008, and 2003.
4. DriveScrubber:
Another top-rated tool is DriveScrubber. Having the tagline: Erase Data so that it can NEVER Be Recovered, this amazing utility makes sure that whatever data you have deleted cannot be recovered even by advanced recovery tools.
DriveScrubber easily secures all your personal information by securely deleting it and saving it from any suspicious eyes.
Not just this, it also recovers drives damaged due to virus infections and restores them in good health.
Data Sanitization Methods: Military-grade data removal
Compatibility: Works with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista or XP (SP3).
5. Lavasoft File Shredder:
No one wants their personal and private date to be compromised anyway. An easy to use yet effective tool to completely wipe your personal data permanently is Lavasoft File Shredder. It ensures that the data once deleted is not recoverable by any data recovery tools.
This one-stop utility lets you delete all your personal information permanently with a few clicks. It makes use of advanced algorithms that easily lets you wipe confidential information on a permanent basis.
Data Sanitization Methods: Department of Defence (DoD) shredding algorithms
Compatibility: Works with Windows® , 8, 7, Vista or XP.
6. WipeFile:
Yet another awesome tool to permanently delete files making them unrecoverable. It’s an easy to drag and drop method to help secure delete files with ease.
WipeFile is light on System Storage and can also be installed on a Flash drive, making it highly portable and one of the best file shredder programs of 2020.
Data Sanitization Methods: Bit Toggle, DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Nato Standard, NAVSO P-5239-26, MS Cipher, Random Data, Write Zero.
Compatibility: Windows 10, 8/8.1, 7, Vista, and XP.
7. Paragon Disk Wiper Professional:
Disk Wiper Professional is yet another effective tool that securely wipes data. By deleting the data, not only it secures your information, but also retrieves precious disk space on your Windows PC.
This amazing tool lets you choose from a variety of 10 different data erasing algorithms to delete the data securely and makes it unrecoverable.
Data Sanitization Methods:US DoD 5220.22-M, German VSItR Standard, Paragon’s algorithm, GOST R 50739-95 etc.
Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
8. Hard Disk Scrubber:
The last one in our list of best file shredder programs 2020 is Hard Disk Scrubber. The best part about this amazing tool is that it not only works with multiple files but can also shred files that are already deleted.
The concept of deleted files is called Free Space Scrubbing and helps amazingly in deleting files permanently.
Data Sanitization Methods: AFSSI 5020, DoD 5220.22-M and Random Data.
Compatibility: Windows 10, 8/8.1, 7, Vista, and XP.
9. Remo File Eraser:
Yet another amazing utility that deletes all your confidential data in a jiffy and makes its recovery impossible is Remo File Eraser.
Remo File Eraser lets you easily delete contents of Recycle Bin, Files/Folders and even entire drives.
Different data sanitization methods it uses are N.A.V.S.O – RLL, N.A.T.O, N.A.T.O, DOD 5200.28.M, Peter Guttman Method and Peter Guttman + DOD 5200.22.M.
Compatibility: Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8.0, Windows 7, Vista, XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2012
Read Also: Best Free Duplicate File Finder Software For Windows 10, 8, 7
10. Freeraser
Holding a tagline: Freeraser – delete for good, for sure, for free, Freeraser ensures that all the data you delete using it, will be deleted for life time.
Freeraser is equipped with an advanced engine that works in three levels:
- A fast destruction
- A forced destruction
- An ultimate destruction
It is a free tool that makes your life easy and after using it you don’t have to worry about your personal or professional data being compromised.
Data Sanitization methods used are: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data.
Compatibility: Windows 10, 8/8.1, 7, Vista, and XP.
11. Easy File Shredder
Easy File Shredder ensures that all the data you delete using it will be gone for good. The tool can easily shred the files and the free space as well from the HDD and SSD. It uses 10 different data deleting algorithms which helps in overwriting the hard disk in multiple ways.
Use it to shred the deleted files on your computer or to wipe the entire hard drive at one command.
Data Sanitization methods used are:Peter Gutmann, Random, Russian GOST P50739-95,German VSITR , Bruce Schneier, ITSG2006, DOD 5200.28 STD(7), DOD 5220.22 M(3), DOD 5220.22-M (E), DOD 5220.22-M (ECE) & Zero algorithm.
Compatibility: Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, 7, Vista, and XP.
Which is the Best Windows Shredder tool?
Securing your data from hackers is one of the toughest tasks to do. While reselling your computer or even allowing others to access it, chances of hacking and stealing are highest. While merely deleting files does not remove data from your Windows PC on a permanent basis, installing and using a good Data Shredder Software does.
The above-mentioned list is best data shredding software in this category which securely deletes all your confidential information beyond recovery. We would recommend you to pick Advanced System Optimizer or O&O Safe Erase for protection.
Conclusion
Securing your data from hackers is one of the toughest tasks to do. While reselling your computer or even allowing others to access it, chances of hacking and stealing are highest. While merely deleting files does not remove data from your Windows PC on a permanent basis, installing and using a good Data Shredder Software does. The above-mentioned software are the best in this category and securely deletes all your confidential information beyond recovery. We would recommend you to pick Advanced System Optimizer or O&O Safe Erase for protection.