Secure File Shredder

Requires Windows 10 or later.

Install from Microsoft Store.

When you delete a file normally, Windows only removes the pointer to the data. The actual bytes remain on disk until overwritten by something else — and can be recovered with widely available tools.

Traditional overwriting (writing zeros or random data over the file) works well on HDDs but does not reliably work on SSDs. SSDs use wear levelling and spare areas that redirect writes, so overwritten data may still exist in another block.

Secure File Shredder addresses this by using encryption on SSDs: even if file data remains somewhere on the SSD, it is designed to be unreadable without the destroyed key.

1. Launch Secure File Shredder.
2. Go to the File Shredder tab.
3. Add files by clicking Add Files or dragging them onto the window.
4. Click Shred.
5. Confirm the deletion prompt — this action cannot be undone.

The app detects each file’s drive type and applies AES-256 (SSD) or DoD 7-pass (HDD) automatically. Progress is shown in real time.

1. Go to the Recycle Bin tab.
2. The app lists what is currently in the Recycle Bin.
3. Click Shred Recycle Bin.
4. Confirm the prompt.

For full access to the Recycle Bin, run the app as Administrator (right-click the icon and choose Run as administrator).

The app blocks deletion of files inside protected system folders including Windows, Program Files, and ProgramData. This prevents accidental damage to your operating system.

If you need to shred files in other sensitive locations, ensure you have the appropriate permissions and run the app as Administrator.

1. Review every selected path and confirm that each file is no longer needed.
2. Check that you are using the intended tab: File Shredder for selected files or Recycle Bin for its contents.
3. Resolve any uncertainty about the selection before clicking the shred action.
4. Read the confirmation prompt. Shredding cannot be undone.
5. Allow the operation to finish and inspect its reported result.

• Recycle Bin access is incomplete: the documented workflow calls for running the app as Administrator for full access.
• A system-folder file is blocked: Windows, Program Files and ProgramData are protected by the app. Do not move system files to bypass that protection.
• Another location denies access: check that you have the appropriate permissions before retrying.
• Unsure which drive method to select: the documented file-shredding workflow detects the drive type and applies its method automatically.

Often, yes. Normal deletion may only remove the file reference, leaving recoverable data behind until it is overwritten or handled by the drive.

SSDs use wear leveling and internal management, so repeated overwrite passes do not behave the same way they do on HDDs.

Overwrite methods are most suitable for HDDs. For SSD workflows, the app uses a storage-aware approach designed to help reduce recoverability.

Yes. The app includes Recycle Bin handling for files that are waiting to be deleted.

No. Secure deletion is destructive by design, so only shred files you are certain you no longer need.