SDelete
SDelete securely overwrites files and cleans free disk space of previously deleted data, according to the Microsoft Sysinternals page.
About SDelete
SDelete is a command-line utility from Microsoft Sysinternals for Windows. Version 2.06 by Mark Russinovich is documented on Microsoft Learn and is intended to overwrite deleted file data so it cannot be recovered with disk editors or recovery tools. The download is listed as 328 KB.
With SDelete you can securely delete one or more files and directories, including support for wildcards and subdirectories. You can also cleanse the free space on a logical disk or physical disk, and zero free space for virtual disk optimization. The page describes use with compressed, encrypted, and sparse files, and notes it follows the DOD 5220.22-M clearing standard.
It suits Windows users who work from the command line and need to remove sensitive file contents or clear unallocated disk space.
Key features
- Securely delete files and directories via command line
- Cleanse free space on logical and physical disks
- Zero free space for virtual disk optimization
- Supports wildcards, subdirectories and overwrite passes
- Handles compressed, encrypted and sparse NTFS files
Best for: Windows command-line users who need to overwrite sensitive files and clear free disk space.
Good for
- Follows DOD 5220.22-M clearing standard
- Deletes files and cleans free disk space
- Addresses compressed, encrypted and sparse files
Watch out for
- Does not remove file names in free space
- Requires command-line use
SDelete at a glance
- Category
- Software & Utilities › File Utilities
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web, Windows
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Guides for File Utilities
SDelete alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
Alternate File Shredder permanently deletes files and folders and can overwrite data, according to its software page.
CompactGUI uses Windows APIs to compress games and programs on disk while keeping them usable, according to its project description.
Open source
24 alternatives
Microsoft Learn documents Robocopy, a Windows command for copying file data between locations.
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SDelete FAQ
What is SDelete used for?
SDelete is used to overwrite files and clean free disk space of previously deleted data. It is intended to make deleted file data unrecoverable.
Does SDelete delete file names?
No. The page states that SDelete securely deletes file data, but not file names located in free disk space.
How do you use SDelete?
SDelete is a command line utility that accepts files, directories, drive letters, and physical disk numbers. Options include overwrite passes, recursion, and free-space cleaning or zeroing.
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