How to Prevent Recovering Previously Deleted Files and Folders

When you delete files and folders from your computer, they are not permanently deleted right away. They are sent to the Recycle Bin so that if you make a mistake and accidentally delete files or folders that you don't really want to delete, you can restore them from the Recycle Bin. If you want to prevent recovering previously deleted files and folders, then all you have to do is delete them from the Recycle Bin.

Things You'll Need

Recycle Bin

Step 1

Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon that is located on your computer's desktop to open it.

Step 2

Click on the previously deleted files and folders that you want to prevent from being restored to select them.

Step 3

Press the delete (Del) key to permanently delete the files and folders from your Recycle Bin so that they cannot be restored.

Tips

If you want to delete everything in the Recycle Bin, simply click the "Empty Recycle Bin" link located in the vertical left navigation pane of the "Recycle Bin" window.

Warnings

Make sure that you really want the deleted files and folders permanently deleted from your computer because you cannot recover them once you empty them from the Recycle Bin.