1. Using Windows Explorer
One of the simplest ways to delete a file is to use Windows Explorer. Windows Explorer, previously known as Windows File Explorer, is a file management utility built into the Windows operating system. To delete a file, open the folder or directory containing the file you wish to delete. Right-click on the file, then select “Delete” or “Move to Recycle Bin” from the menu that appears. This will delete the file from your computer immediately.
2. Using Command Prompt
If you are comfortable with the command line, you can use the command prompt in Windows to delete a file. To do this, first open the command prompt by searching for “Command Prompt” in the Start Menu. Once the command prompt window is open, type the command “del” followed by the path to the file you wish to delete. For example, if the file is located in the “Documents” folder on the C drive, you would type “del C:\Documents\filename.ext” (replacing “filename.ext” with the actual name and extension of the file). This will delete the file immediately without sending it to the Recycle Bin.
3. Using the Recycle Bin
The Recycle Bin is a special folder in Windows used to store deleted files temporarily before they are permanently erased from the computer. To delete a file using the Recycle Bin, open the Recycle Bin folder and locate the file you wish to delete. Right-click on it, then select “Delete” from the menu that appears. When prompted, click “Yes” to confirm the deletion. This will delete the file from the computer but it will remain in the Recycle Bin until you empty it.
4. Using a File Shredder
Another way to permanently delete a file is to use a file shredder. A file shredder is a utility program that securely deletes files by overwriting them with random data. This ensures that the deleted file is completely unrecoverable and cannot be accessed or restored by any means. To use a file shredder, download and install a file shredding utility such as Eraser, File Shredder, or WipeFile onto your computer. Open the program and follow the instructions to select the file(s) you wish to delete. The program will then overwrite the file multiple times with random data, ensuring that it is completely unrecoverable.