When we delete files and folders on Mac and then empty Trash, it is possible to recover the deleted files if no new information has been recorded on the freed space, so the file can be easily restored.
Aug 30, 2017 - When we delete files and folders on Mac and then empty Trash, it is possible to recover the deleted files if no new information has been. Permanently Delete Trash Items on Mac. If you are a Mac user then you must be using your Mac Trash very often to restore files that you accidentally deleted. However for instance, consider you want to sell off your Mac machine and you have lot of important documents on it which you don’t want anyone to access.
The Most Popular Methods of Deleting Files on Mac
There are several methods of permanently deleting files on Mac. Let’s take a look at each of them.
Permanently deleting files on Mac via Trash
The easiest, but not the most reliable way to permanently remove files is enabling Emptying Trash Securely.
This is how you do it:
- Open Finder.
- In the dropdown menu bar, click Preferences.
- Go to the Advanced tab and enable Empty Trash Securely.
Now, when you empty Trash, the data will be deleted irretrievably. BUT, there is a possibility that the files deleted in this way can be recovered with the help of special applications. So be careful when choosing how to delete files!
Deleting files with Disk Utility
Using Disk Utility to delete files is not the fastest or most convenient way to delete files and folders.
To remove files with Disk Utility, you need to:
- Disable all active applications.
- Go to Finder, find and run Disk Utility. On the left, you will see a list of internal and external (if there are any) drives. In this case, we are interested in Macintosh HD.
- Select Macintosh HD
- Press Erase and then Erase Free Space.
- In the window that opens, select the number of erase passes (the level of security). The parameter determines how many times the app will pass over free disk space. It is recommended that you choose the medium number, which is usually enough.
- Then press Erase Free Space. It starts the process.
This method, like the previous one, does not guarantee that the deleted files will be impossible to recover.
Deleting files with CleanMyMac 3
The last method that we want to tell you about is deleting files using CleaMyMac 3. In our opinion, it is the most reliable and handy method for Mac users.
First, you need to install the application that can be downloaded here: http://cleanmymac.com.
Now that CleanMyMac3 is installed, let’s start the process of deleting the files you don’t need.
- Find Shredder on the left side of the interface.
- Now select the files that you want deleted with the Select Files button.
- The application prompts you to select the files to be deleted. You mark the place where the data is stored, then select the files and click Open.
The application displays the selected files to be removed in the main interface window. - If you forgot to add a file, you can use the Add Files button and add more files to the list. At the bottom of the main window, you can choose two ways to delete files: Remove Immediately/Remove Securely. The choice is up to you.
- Once you have picked the files to be removed, press Shred. CleanMyMac 3 will ask you to confirm. If you did not change your mind and still want to delete the files, click Shred again.
If you realize that you have chosen a wrong file to be deleted, select Cancel, then right-click on the file you want to keep and select Remove From List in the dropdown menu.
CleanMyMac 3 will remove the file from the list. Then click Shred again and delete the data you don’t need.
That's how you can quickly clear the data you don’t need, free up disk space, and be sure that the deleted files will never be recovered.
CleanMyMac 3 does not just delete files, it overwrites the access point (that makes it possible to recover files), the data is overwritten randomly to prevent the recovery of files.
Shredder permanently deletes all the files you selected and eliminates the possibility of their recovery.
If you are a Mac user then you must be using your Mac Trash very often to restore files that you accidentally deleted. However for instance, consider you want to sell off your Mac machine and you have lot of important documents on it which you don’t want anyone to access. So you just delete those vital files and even empty out Trash Bin. But this is not the correct way to permanently delete files from Trash Bin, because the document files you emptied from Trash can still be recovered back by using any data recovery tool.
How can deleted files from Trash be recovered?
This must be your first question, let’s make this simple. Moving a file to Trash does not actually 'Delete' the file at all. In fact it stays right there, i.e. in its original location, only the file name will be removed. And with the help of right recovery software the file can be easily restored back at any time.
Hence, if you are a user who is trying to sell off or dispose your Mac PC and bothered about your files being misused! Then no need to get upset, after going through this article you will learn how to permanently delete files from Trash on Mac.
How to permanently delete files from Trash?
If you are a user with this question, then the answer is using 'Remo MORE' software. This is one of the finest utility using which you can easily delete files from Trash Bin permanently. The tool overwrites the deleted files present in Trash using 9 different shredding patterns, such that none of the files from Trash can be recovered back. After using this utility you can sell or dispose your Mac PC / laptop without worrying about your personal files.
Why Remo MORE utility?
It is suggested to use Remo MORE utility because it offers users 9 different sanitizing methods such as US Department of Defense (DoD 5220.22-M) _DOD Standard 5220.28 STD, North Atlantic Treaty Organization_NATO standard, Peter Gutmann Secure Deletion and Gutmann method etc, and these patterns overwrites Trash with garbage values to protect your deleted files from being misused. Furthermore the trial version of the software provides 3 shredding methods using which you can check the tools performance and if you are happier with the outcome, then you can go for the full version.
Few of its basic features:
- Is compatible to run on all the latest Mac desktops and laptops with operating systems such as Leopard, Snow Leopard and Lion
- Fastest way to clear contents from Trash permanently
- The application is also available for computers running on Windows
- Also helps in making free space on Mac hard disk and in turn increases the speed of your Macintosh
- This application is free of cost
Learn how to permanently delete Trash on Mac:
Step1: First download Remo More software and install it your computer. Launch the application and select 'Manage' option from the main screen as given in .
Step2: From second screen select 'Data Wipe' option as given in .
Step3: From third screen choose 'File Eraser' option as given in .
Step4: Now select the 'Erase Trash Files' option to wipe mac trash permanently as given in .
Step5: Once you click this, the tool will begin erasing the trash files.