Ashkon Software

Advanced File Shredder - Securely Delete Files So They Cannot Be Recovered

Advanced File Shredder is a privacy utility for Windows 10 and Windows 11 that securely erases files and folders, the contents of the Recycle Bin and the free space of a drive. It overwrites your data with cryptographically strong random data, the 7-pass US DoD 5220.22-M standard or Gutmann’s 35-pass method, then reads the last pass back from the disk to verify the data was really overwritten.

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Features

  • 7-pass US DoD 5220.22-M standard wiping
  • Gutmann’s 35-pass method
  • Cryptographically strong random data with configurable passes
  • Verifies erasure by reading the last pass back from disk
  • HTML erasure reports
  • Securely empties the Recycle Bin, including file metadata
  • Wipes drive free space, including small files inside the NTFS MFT; optional SSD retrim
  • Overwrites cluster tails and NTFS file streams
  • Mangles file names and time stamps before deletion
  • Protects Windows and program folders from accidental shredding
  • Drag-and-drop interface and Explorer right-click menu

How to securely delete files on Windows

  1. Download and install the free 30-day trial of Advanced File Shredder. Setup can also add Shred to the Explorer right-click menu for files, folders and the Recycle Bin.
  2. Choose a method: open Settings > Settings and pick cryptographically strong random data (with your own number of passes), US DoD 5220.22-M (7 passes) or Gutmann (35 passes). Turn on “Verify erasure (read the last pass back)”.
  3. Add files: drag files or folders from Windows Explorer onto the list, or click Select Files.
  4. Shred: click Shred Files and confirm. Each file is overwritten and then deleted; with verification on, a file that fails the check is not deleted and is reported.
  5. Erase what you deleted earlier: Action > Wipe Free Space overwrites the free space of a drive, and Action > Shred Recycle Bin Contents shreds everything in the Recycle Bin.

When you need to shred files instead of deleting them

  • Selling or giving away a computer or an external hard disk: shred your personal folders, then wipe the free space of the drive.
  • Old tax returns, bank statements, contracts and scans of ID documents: the Delete key and an empty Recycle Bin do not remove the data, and recovery software can bring the files back.
  • Files you already deleted: Wipe Free Space overwrites the space they still occupy, including small files stored inside the NTFS MFT.
  • Business and customer data that must be destroyed: choose the DoD or Gutmann method and save an HTML erasure report of the job with Reports > Generate.
  • Quick shredding from Explorer: right-click files or folders and choose “Shred with Advanced File Shredder”, or right-click the Recycle Bin and choose “Shred Recycle Bin contents”.
  • Virtual disks: Wipe Free Space can write a single pass of zeros, so a VHD/VHDX or VMDK virtual disk can be compacted afterwards.

Shredding on an SSD? A solid-state drive writes each pass to fresh flash cells, so extra passes add only time and wear. Advanced File Shredder detects SSDs, recommends a single random pass when wiping their free space and can retrim the drive afterwards. To erase a whole SSD before disposal, use the drive’s own secure erase command. A file will not shred because it is in use? Advanced Process Explorer shows which program has it open.

Advanced File Shredder main window: 23 files shredded and verified
Shredding files: each file is shredded and verified
Advanced File Shredder wiping free space on drive C at 54 MB/s, with progress and time left in the status bar
Wiping free space on a drive

Why shred? Windows does not physically remove files from your disk. When you delete files and empty the Recycle Bin, business or financial data can still be recovered with data recovery software. Files deleted with Advanced File Shredder cannot be restored.

What’s new in version 1.2.1.1

  • Erasure verification: the last overwrite pass is read back directly from the disk, bypassing the Windows cache, and compared with what was written. A file that fails verification is not deleted and is reported.
  • Erasure reports: Reports > Generate saves a detailed HTML report of the last job. For your privacy the report is kept only in memory unless you save it.
  • Shred from Windows Explorer: right-click files or folders and choose “Shred with Advanced File Shredder”, or right-click the Recycle Bin and choose “Shred Recycle Bin contents”.
  • Built for Windows 10 and Windows 11, 32-bit and 64-bit.

Read the full Advanced File Shredder User Guide: shredding files and folders, settings, the Recycle Bin, wiping free space and erasure reports.

Read more about Gutmann’s method, strong random data and NTFS file streams.

Frequently asked questions

How do I permanently delete files so they cannot be recovered?

Deleting a file and emptying the Recycle Bin does not physically remove its data from the disk, so data recovery software can often restore it. Advanced File Shredder overwrites the file's data, can read the last pass back to verify it, and only then deletes the file. Shredded files cannot be restored.

Which shredding method should I use?

One pass of cryptographically strong random data is enough on any modern hard disk. The US DoD 5220.22-M method (7 passes) and Gutmann's method (35 passes) are there when a policy asks for them; they take much longer. Turn on Verify erasure to read the last pass back from the disk.

How do I wipe free space on Windows 11?

Choose Action > Wipe Free Space, pick the drive and click Wipe. The free space is filled with temporary files of overwrite data, which are deleted at the end; your files are not touched. While it runs the drive is full, so close programs that write to it first.

Does file shredding work on an SSD?

On an SSD, wear leveling can keep copies of old data in flash cells that no program can reach, so overwriting is less complete than on a hard disk. Advanced File Shredder detects SSDs, recommends a single random pass (more passes only add time and wear) and can retrim the drive after wiping free space, so the drive erases unused blocks itself. To erase a whole SSD before disposal, use the drive's built-in secure erase command.

How do I securely empty the Recycle Bin?

Choose Action > Shred Recycle Bin Contents, or right-click the Recycle Bin and choose Shred Recycle Bin contents once the Explorer menu is added. The items are shredded with the method chosen in Settings and cannot be restored.

What happens if a file is in use?

A file that another program has open is left completely intact and is reported as access denied or in use. Close the program that uses it and shred the file again.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. The free 30-day evaluation version lets you try Advanced File Shredder before you buy. A license is $29.95.

Ordering

After a completed secure online order, an unlocking key file is emailed to you within two business days. Questions about ordering or registration: order@ashkon.com. Prices for all products are on the Order page.