32 Best Free File Shredder Programs December 2022

This is exactly what a file shredder does; it overwrites selected files using a specified data sanitization method, ensuring that’s it can never be undeleted with a file recovery program. Below is an updated list of the very best completely free file shredder software tools: Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, AFSSI-5020, AR 380-19, RCMP TSSIT OPS-II, HMG IS5, VSITR, GOST R 50739-95, Gutmann, Schneier, Random Data Eraser is currently supported under Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as Windows Server 2012 through 2022. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Schneier  In addition to the above, you can use Securely File Shredder to easily shred the contents of the Recycle Bin by clicking the appropriate button in the program. Securely File Shredder works with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Data Sanitization Methods: Bit Toggle, DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, NATO Standard, NAVSO P-5239-26, MS Cipher, Random Data, WipeFile, Write Zero You can save the files and folders you have queued up so you can restore and remove them later. WipeFile can also write to a log file and be set up to work with the “Send to” context menu in Windows Explorer. We tested the most recent version of WipeFile in Windows 10, but it should also work in other versions like Windows 11, 8, 7, etc. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data When running the setup file, you can choose to install it like a standard program or run it like a portable one, which means the files will install to a folder that you can use on a removable drive. You can use Freeraser in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data, VSITR The easiest way to use Secure Eraser is to simply drag and drop files and folders into the program. They’ll automatically show up and you can just click Start deletion to choose a method from above and start shredding. You can also add data from the right-click context menu. An option is available to exit the program, reboot the computer, or shutdown the computer when the file shredding is finished. Versions of Windows that can use Secure Eraser includes Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as Windows Server 2019 through 2003. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data Browse for files and folders to add to the program or simply drag and drop them. The shredding method is simple to change and you can choose a custom number of passes before shredding anything. This program should work fine on any Windows version. Data Sanitization Methods: AFSSI-5020, DoD 5220.22-M, and Random Data In addition to the above, Hard Disk Scrubber lets you create your own custom wipe pattern, such as writing specific characters over files. Hard Disk Scrubber is a file shredder program that runs in Windows 2000 and newer versions of Windows.  There aren’t any extra buttons that are hard to understand and there are absolutely zero settings aside from those you can see on the left side of the program. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data, Write Zero Something we don’t like about BitKiller is that once you’ve begun the process of shredding files, while there is a cancel button, you’re unable to click it. BitKiller can shred files in all versions of Windows, including Windows 11/10. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data You can configure Moo0 File Shredder to sit on top of every other window so you can always have instant access to securely delete files. Also, the confirmation prompt can be disabled so you can delete files just that much quicker. Officially, users on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, and Windows Server 2003 can install Moo0 File Shredder. It probably works for other versions of Windows, too. Data Sanitization Methods: AFSSI-5020, AR 380-19, DoD 5220.22-M, IREC (IRIG) 106, NAVSO P-5239-26, NISPOMSUP Chapter 8 Section 8-501, NSA Manual 130-2, Write Zero Right-click context menu integration is permitted and, as you can see above, there are a few unique wiping methods you won’t find in many of the other programs listed here. Because PrivaZer can do many other privacy cleaning tasks like deleting old files and erasing Internet activity traces, it can be a confusing process to use just the file shredding features. Users of Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP can use PrivaZer, either through the regular installer or the portable version. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data We like that PC Shredder is portable and has a simple interface. It takes up less than 300 KB, which is great for storing on a flash drive. PC Shredder is said to work on only Windows Vista and XP, but we used it in Windows 10, 8, and 7 without any issues. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, GOST R 50739-95, Gutmann, Random Data, Write Zero, VSITR, Schneier One thing we like is that you can shred multiple folders at one time, but we don’t like the small advertisement that’s always displayed in the program (though it’s not too intrusive). It works with all the most recent versions of Windows, from Windows XP to Windows 10. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data, Write Zero If using the right-click context menu, you can choose to securely delete the files or simply to add them to the queue to remove later. We tested File Shredder in Windows 10 and Windows 7 without any issues. It should also run on Windows 11, 8, etc. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data, Write Zero Just drag and drop files or folders into Super File Shredder and then click Start to shred them. You can also shred files from the right-click context menu. Choose a different sanitization method from the settings. Super File Shredder works with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Data Sanitization Methods: AR 380-19, DoD 5220.22-M, GOST R 50739-95, Gutmann, HMG IS5, NAVSO P-5239-26, RCMP TSSIT OPS-II, Schneier, VSITR, Write Zero There are options in the settings to protect the program with a password and run it in an invisible mode when shredding files. Unfortunately, Delete Files Permanently only supports shredding individual files and not entire folders like most of the other programs in this list. Delete Files Permanently should work in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. You can shred multiple files and folders at once with WinUtilities File Shredder and even drag and drop them into the program to do so. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, NCSC-TG-025, Write Zero You can also use WinUtilities File Shredder to shred all the files in the Recycle Bin. The file shredder in WinUtilities can be found in the Modules > Privacy & Security section. Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP (32-bit and 64-bit versions) are the supported operating systems. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Random Data, Write Zero The only thing we don’t like about XT File Shredder Lizard is that the interface is a bit outdated, which makes it a little strange to work with. You shouldn’t have any troubles using this program in newer versions of Windows like Windows 11 and 10, but also older ones like Windows XP. If you’re erasing files, you can drag and drop multiples into the program at once and then shred them all. You can import the contents of multiple folders, too, and even securely erase the Recycle Bin’s contents. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Write Zero This program’s free file shredder tool can be opened from the File tools menu on the left of the main screen. Choose File Wiper from there to get started. We tested the most recent version of Windows 10, but it also works in Windows 11, 8, and 7. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Write Zero Select File & Folder to securely delete a single file or a whole folder of data, or pick Recycle Bin to shred all the things you’ve sent there. Free Disk Space is another option for double-checking that everything you’ve previously deleted is gone for good. You can install ASC in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Random Data, Write Zero Remo File Eraser also lets you empty the Recycle Bin using any of the above sanitization methods. One thing we don’t like about Remo File Eraser is that while several wipe methods are shown in the settings, you can only choose the three from above in this free version. Also, you can’t create more than one schedule. We tested Remo File Eraser in Windows 8 and Windows XP, so it should work in other versions of Windows too, like Windows 11 and Windows 10. Just drag and drop files and folders into the program window or use the buttons to browse for them. You can also right-click files or folders in File/Windows Explorer and choose Wipe with Glary Utilities to send them to the file shredder program. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M Though probably not necessary, you can repeat the data wipe method up to 10 times for a more thorough clean. Glary Utilities can also write over the free space of an entire hard drive, which is useful for ensuring files you’re already deleted are truly irrecoverable. All versions of Windows should be able to run Glary Utilities. Instead of using the program to add files to the queue, you can also quickly send files and folders to AbsoluteShield File Shredder using the right-click context menu in Windows Explorer. Data Sanitization Methods: Schneier, Write Zero The shredding method can be changed from the Action menu. AbsoluteShield File Shredder is said to work in Windows Vista, XP, 2000, NT, ME, and 98. We tested the most recent version in both Windows 10 and Windows XP without any problems. Use DeleteOnClick by right-clicking one or more files or folders and then choosing Securely Delete from the context menu. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M DeleteOnClick only supports one data wipe method, so it’s not nearly as advanced as most of these other file shredders. Also, there is no confirmation when you choose to remove files, which means it’s possible you could accidentally erase files you meant to keep. This program should work fine in Windows 11, Windows 10, and older versions of Windows, back to Windows 2000. Data Sanitization Methods: Random Data Prompts to buy the professional version are sometimes shown, but you can easily click USE FREEWARE to bypass them. We successfully used ProtectStar Data Shredder in Windows 10, 7, and XP. The file shredder is located in the Privacy Protector section of the program. Just load one or more files and folders using the Add button and click Shred to immediately start the process. You can also shred files from Windows Explorer by right-clicking and choosing Shred file/folder. Data Sanitization Methods: Random Data A portable version is also available from within the installable version. Wise Care 365 can also completely remove deleted files by overwriting them with more secure sanitization methods than the file shredder. This tool is called Disk Eraser. Wise Care 365 works with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.

Data Sanitization Methods: Random Data Just drag and drop any file or folder you wish to remove, walk through the wizard to select how many times to overwrite the data (1-10 times), and then click the Incinerate Now button to start. Open the file shredder program from Toolbox > Individual Tools > Ensure Personal Privacy > Incinerator > Securely Delete Files > Start. System Mechanic shreds files and folders in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Choose the Add Files or Add Folder/Drive button to load multiple files or a single folder at once. Files and folders will be added to the queue, after which you can click Erase File/Folder to securely delete the data. Data Sanitization Methods: Write Zero The data wipe method can run up to 16 times for greater privacy. During setup, choose Run without installing if you want to use ToolWiz Care as a portable program. We used ToolWiz Care in Windows 10, 7, and XP, so it should work with other versions of Windows, too. Data Sanitization Methods: Write Zero The data wipe method can be ran three times by selecting the Triple Shred option. Something unique about the Baidu PC Faster file shredder is that it keeps a history of the files you’ve shredded. You, of course, can’t restore these files, so it serves more as an informative list that you can clear at any time. Baidu PC Faster runs on Windows 11 through Windows XP. Data Sanitization Methods: Write Zero Blank And Secure has a simple interface that lets you shred files and folders and then automatically close. There’s also an option to delay deleting files for 1-5 seconds, the ability to shred data from the Windows Explorer context menu, and an option to run the write zero erase method up to 35 times. Another feature in Blank And Secure is the ability to write the free space of a folder with zeros, great for scrubbing files that you’ve previously deleted in the normal fashion. A progress bar helps determine how much time has elapsed, as well as how long until the whole process will complete. Black And Secure securely deletes files from Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP computers.  Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M SDelete is part of the Sysinternals Suite of free system utilities available from Microsoft. SDelete does not utilize Secure Erase even though its name might lead you to think otherwise. SDelete runs on Windows operating systems that are Windows Vista and newer, as well as Windows Server versions that are Server 2008 and newer. You can password protect the whole program, enable Windows context menu integration, and drag and drop files to set them up for deletion. You can also add custom files and folders to System Shredder and then delete those files quickly at any time from the toolbar. Data Sanitization Methods: DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Random Data If you choose the Random Data to wipe method, you can choose how many times (1-3) you want the data overwritten. We were only able to get Simple File Shredder to work while using Windows XP. Data Sanitization Methods: Random Data, Schneier, Write Zero You can change the sanitization method from the menu, as well as some other settings like showing a confirmation before deleting files. There’s a portable version and a regular installer available from their download page. We were able to get CyberShredder to shred files in Windows 8 but not Windows 10. It should also work with Windows 7, Vista, and XP.