How to Delete Files From Mac Permanently – Guide
Macs are renowned for their longevity, but you may still find yourself replacing yours due to it being too outdated for the latest operating system. Before recycling your Mac, make sure to securely erase all personal files so that they can’t be recovered by the next user.
Whether you need to safely delete files from your hard drive depends on the type of drive: no such action is necessary for a solid state drive (SSD), but it is recommended for a normal hard drive (HDD).
My files can be recovered after deleting them
New Macs come with solid state drives (SSDs) or Fusion drives, instead of the traditional hard drive. This makes it easier to securely delete files, as data recovery technology can no longer be used to restore them.
Older Macs with HDDs require users to safely delete files, but newer models with SSDs can use the standard method of moving files and emptying the trash.
Secure file deletion is not possible on SSDs, as replacing a file only creates a new one in a different spot, leaving the original data intact.
Mac users can permanently delete files from their devices, regardless of whether they have traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs).
Move files to the trash
To delete files from your Mac, drag them to the trash or use the Move to Trash feature by right-clicking on the file. Then, empty the trash.
Apple’s OS X 10.11 El Capitan offers a faster way to delete files: the Delete Immediately feature. Bypassing the Recycle Bin, users can quickly remove files by highlighting them and using the Option-Command-Delete shortcut.
Hold down the Option key in the Finder’s File menu to delete files immediately, with a confirmation prompt.
For a faster way to empty the trash, use the Command-Option-Shift-Delete shortcut on your keyboard - it will bypass the confirmation dialog and instantly delete all items.
For those who find it hard to remember or uncomfortable, they can avoid the confirmation by changing their Finder preferences. To do this, go to Menu> Preferences and uncheck the box for “Show warning before emptying the Trash” on the Advanced tab.
Empty Safe Trash
Mac users can permanently delete their files with this simple solution. It overwrites the data multiple times, ensuring that the items are gone for good.
Mac OS X 10.3 Panther includes a feature that securely overwrites data seven times for extra protection.
To quickly and securely delete files, click the Finder menu and select “Empty Trash Safely” beneath “Empty Trash.”
Use a third-party application
If you’re having trouble deleting files, a third-party application can help. Permanent Eraser and Clean My Mac are two popular options that will force the trash to empty completely and permanently.
Use Mac Terminal
Mac Terminal is a powerful tool that makes tedious tasks, such as deleting files, quick and easy. By using Unix commands, it bypasses the operating system to perform functions quickly and efficiently. With Mac Terminal, users can delete files in seconds with permanent results.
Using Terminal without proper knowledge can be risky. To avoid potential damage to your system, it’s important to become familiar with basic commands before using the command line. Entering the wrong command can quickly delete files, so act quickly if you make a mistake.
Accuracy is key when entering terminal commands: every character, including capital letters and spaces, must be correct.
Begin your journey by taking these steps: For those looking to embark on a new venture, here are the steps to get started.
To access the Terminal, users can open the Finder and navigate to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
A command prompt with the $ (dollar sign) will appear in a new window on Mac computers. This prompt, which includes the ComputerName, CurrentDirectory, Username and Bash at the top, is used to access Terminal.
To delete files permanently, type “rm” followed by a space and drag and drop the desired files into the Terminal window. Press Enter to execute the command and remove them forever.
Final note
This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to delete files from Mac permanently. If you have any questions, please reach out for help. Share the article with your friends to spread the love.
