How to ensure permanent deletion of deleted files in Windows by destroying free space via command prompt: - When you delete files from your Windows operating system, it appears that your files have been removed from the hard drive memory and there is free space for your use. Yes it is true that there is space available for use but the reality is different.
Even if it turns out that those files have been removed from hard drive memory, they remain there until other files overwrite them.
Several solid state devices implement TRIM and Garbage Collector, which creates difficulties in recovering deleted data. Likewise, Windows has a built-in utility tool called Code.
Cipher helps you wipe the free space on your hard drive so that those files are permanently removed from your hard drive and cannot be recovered.
Cipher works on the basis of three steps. On its first pass, it fills the free space with zero data followed by the second pass which fills it with 0xFF numbers. In the final step, it is filled with random numbers. Encryption works in three stages, so deleting data with the encryption tool takes a long time.
All applications must be closed while the cryptographic utility tools are running.
Steps to Safely Free Up Space in Windows Using the Cipher Tool
Step 1:
Find the command prompt in the Windows 10 taskbar search
Step 2:
Right-click the command prompt icon and choose Run as administrator.
Step 3: Now Write encryption / w: C command at the command prompt and press Pay.
Note: - The command to permanently delete files within a given folder is
cipher /w:[drive]:folder_name
For example, if we permanently delete all deleted files in folder C, we will write encryption / w: C as a command at the command prompt.
But if you want to permanently delete files within a certain folder, type the folder name instead of folder name.
As this is a three step process, it will take some time.
Instead of C, you can type the name of the drive you want to erase.
