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Securely empty the Recycle Bin

Securely empty the Windows Recycle Bin: the files in it are overwritten instead of only being removed from the list.

Prerequisite: You have checked the Recycle Bin in Windows and restored any files you still need. After secure emptying, the Windows Restore command no longer finds them.

  1. On the start page, select Securely erase traces….
  2. Select Recycle Bin and clear the areas you do not want to erase now.
  3. Check the erase method and confirm.

Result: The Recycle Bin is empty and its files are overwritten. The start page shows the date of the secure emptying.

Other ways to the same result:

  • In File Explorer, right-click the Recycle Bin and select Securely empty Recycle Bin. The command is available when it is turned on under Windows integration.
  • Under Privacy, select the Recycle Bin category together with other traces; see Erase browser and Windows traces.

If you have already emptied the Recycle Bin the normal way, its contents are still on the drive as remnants. Clean the free space of that drive.

Next steps​