How to Add a Desktop Trash Bin for Permanently Deleting Files on Windows 10 & 11
The Windows desktop includes a Recycle Bin repository for “deleted” files. However, dragging and dropping files onto that bin icon doesn’t truly erase them. Files dragged onto the Recycle Bin are stored until the bin gets emptied, and even after then, they’re still recoverable.
Would you prefer to have a bin on your Windows 10 or 11 desktop that truly deletes files dragged to it beyond recovery? If so, you could add exactly that to the desktop with Free File Wiper and Multi Trash. This is how you can add a desktop trash bin for permanent file erasure to Windows with those apps.
Standard Deletion vs. Permanent Erasure: What’s Wrong With the Default Recycle Bin?
The Recycle Bin is based on the standard file deletion method. It enables users to delete files either by emptying the bin or bypassing it by pressing theShift + Deletehotkey. Users can also select aDon’t move files to the Recycle Binoption for standard file deletion.
Yet, the Recycle Bin’s standard deletion method merely removes a hard drive reference pointer for a file. Doing so marks the drive space a deleted file occupies as available, but the data remains intact until it gets overwritten. This means that non-overwritten files removed with standard deletion can still be recovered with data recovery software. Our data recovery software guide tells you about some of thebest tools you can use for restoring files.
However, file shredder apps combat data recovery software by thoroughly eradicating files. Those tools permanently erase files by overwriting their data on hard drives. They do that with various data erasure overwrite standards, such as Gutmann’s and Schneier’s algorithms.
So, you’ll needthird-party file shredder softwareif you want to permanently erase files beyond potential recovery. Free File Wiper and Multi Trash are apps that add file shredder bins to the Windows 11/10 desktop. Those are bins you can drag and drop files to for permanent erasure.
Note that file shredders don’t work on SSD (solid-state drives). Such drives store data on flash memory, which is different from disk storage. However, you could still wipe solid-state drives with the software and methods covered in our guide onif SSDs can really securely delete data.
How to Add a File Deletion Bin to the Desktop With Free File Wiper
Free File Wiper is, as its title implies, freely available software for Windows platforms. That’s also a portable app for which no installation is required. This software has four options for wiping (overwriting) data thoroughly. you’re able to add a Free File Wiper bin to the Windows 10 and 11 desktop like this:
To permanently delete something with the shredder app, bring up Explorer, left-click a file, and then drag it onto the Free File Wiper bin desktop icon. A warning prompt will appear that says you won’t be able to recover the file after wiping it. SelectYesif you’re sure about permanently erasing the file.
You can change the wipe method for that bin via its context menu. Right-click theFree File Wipersystem tray icon and select theWipe methodsubmenu. Then choose one of the five options available there.Maniacal eraseis the most thorough shredding option with several passes.
Free File Wiper’s context menu also includes other options. There you can select alternative transparency levels for the bin icon. ClickAutostart with Windowsto add Free File Wiper to the startup items.
You’ll also notice that the menu includes anIntegrate in explorer “Send to” menuselected by default. That option adds Free File Wiper menu to theSend tosubmenu on the classic context menu when selected. It enables you to right-click a file and selectShow more options>Send to>Free File Wiper.
How to Add a File Deletion Bin to the Desktop With Multi Trash
Multi Trash is a gadget you can add to the desktop with the 8GadgetPack software. This desktop gadget is a 3-in-1 bin for recycling, deleting, and shredding files. When set to shred files, it will permanently erase them. This is how you can add Multi Trash to the Windows desktop.
Multi Trash is set to its Recycle Bin by default. However, you’re able to change its function by clicking the arrows on that gadget. Click that gadget’sleft arrowto turn it into a Shred bin.
The Shred bin will permanently erase files dragged onto it. So, go ahead and drag some files from Explorer’s window onto the Shred bin. A confirmation prompt will open that asks if you’re sure about permanently deleting the file. ClickYesto confirm as such.
This gadget has a few customization settings. Click itsOptionsbutton to view them on the Multi Trash window. You can change the bin’s color by clicking theShredder Glass Coloroption on theAppearancetab and selecting an alternative one on the palette. To change the bin’s size, select theLargeorSmalloptions on theSize of bindrop-down menus within theFunctiontab. ClickOKto apply new gadget settings.
Of course, the biggest beauty of Multi Trash is that it’s a 3-in-1 file deletion tool. You can also set it to be a recycle or standard deletion bin for different files. However, only the Shred bin securely erases files beyond recovery. So, use the Shred bin to erase files that include more confidential info.
Delete Your Files More Securely on the Windows 10 and 11 Desktop
Adding Free File Wiper or Multi Trash bins to Windows will enable you to delete files and folders more securely from the desktop area. Although there are many other file shredder utilities available, few of them have comparable drag-and-drop functionality. So, Multi Trash and Free File Wiper are more unique tools for shredding files in that respect.
However, remember it’s not always bad for files to be recoverable, in case you accidentally delete a file you want to keep. Or you might realize you should never have deleted a file later. So, it’s recommended to only permanently erase files you want to ensure other users can’t recover with data recovery software.
Did you know the default Windows Recycle Bin doesn’t erase your files the moment you hit delete? Here’s how to change that.
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