1. CCleaner
This is one of best file shredders available that thoroughly cleans several places where possible data are still stored. It erases data where you would normally find it difficult to locate and erase on your own. It also erases traces of your online activities and contains a featured-packed registry cleaner that runs really fast and doesn’t contain spyware or adware.- Our Rating:
- Download CCleaner
- Home Page
- Pros: portable; erases data that are difficult to locate and delete; runs fast
- Cons: It installs yahoo toolbar by default and there are numerous hoops to go through to access its erasing features.
- OS: All flavors of Windows from Windows 98 to Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit
2. Eraser
Eraser is one of the popular free and secure file deletion soft wares for windows. It is designed to delete files permanently from your disk and allows you to totally eradicate all the sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it multiple times. This software will also prevent any attempt of retrieval with the use of disk maintenance and undelete utility. Eraser also comes with a flexible and customizable scheduler to ensure that your system memory is overwritten from time to time to avoid data thefts.
- Our Rating:
- Download Eraser
- Home Page
- Pros: Excellent scheduling feature; provides detailed reporting on unerased files/cluster tips; It also works with any drive and has a good technical support forum if you need help; fast and secure
- Cons: the new interface of eraser (version 6) is no longer portable and has some of the features in version 5 removed such as context sensitive option “Eraser Secure Move”
- OS: Windows XP (with Service Pack 3), Windows Server 2003 (with Service Pack 2), Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008
3. Darik’s Boot and Nuke (DBAN)
Darik’s Boot and Nuke is a boot disk that that securely deletes any contents of any hard disk. It is ideal for bulk or emergency data destruction as it can automatically wipe away the contents of any detected hard disk without a trace. This is the ultimate shredder.- Our Rating:
- Download DBAN
- Home Page
- Pros: ideal for bulk or emergency destruction and preventing identity theft especially when recycling computers;
- Cons : Not ideal for beginners as it is a sensitive and powerful file shredder that once used, there is no way to restore date.
- OS: All flavors of Windows including Windows 7, Mac, and Linux
4. File Shredder
This is also a reliable source of secure file deletion that will completely erase files from your hard drive. It has a user-friendly interface that even the most novice will understand. It has the functionality to let you browse and choose which files you want deleted. You can also choose 5 options for shredding algorithms and it performs its tasks very quickly.- Our Rating:
- Download File Shredder
- Home Page
- Pros: user-friendly and simple interface with low-level security risks; ensures sufficient shredding of files with secure DOD.
- Cons: there are some files that could not be removed; does not have a lot of good features
- OS: Windows 7/2000/2003/2008/9x/Home Server/Vista/XP (both 32 and 64 bit)
5. Prevent Restore
Prevent restore comes with a wizard that will make installation a breeze. It also ensures permanent deletion of files that can no longer be restored unless the space marked by windows is not overwritten.- Our Rating:
- Download Prevent Restore
- Home Page
- Pros: Allows for permanent deletion by overwriting all the free space available in the hard disk, hence making files irretrievable.
- Cons: It is quite complicated for novices as there is no help feature included in the program and no help forums can be found in the main site. It also takes a while to run and complete the tasks.
- OS: All flavors of Windows including Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista
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