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When using a laptop, especially a MacBook for a long time, you can meet the problem of lack of storage. This is a cause of not working smoothly. So, what should you do now? The best solution is to clear the file which you do not need to save in your MacBook. Before you sell your MacBook, you also need to permanently delete your private documents, videos and photos to prevent potential data recovery.

In this article, we are going to show you some useful solutions to securely & permanently delete files on Mac. See and take notes on them now!

5 Easy Ways to Permanently Delete Files on Mac

1. Use A Mouse-Click To Delete

This is the simplest way to completely delete a file on a Mac. All you need to do is to decide what files you will delete first. Then, left-click your mouse in the file and choose “Move To Trash”.

Permanently Delete Files on Mac

After moving the files to the trash, you have to clean them again from the trash to ensure they are out of your Mac. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose the icon “Dock” on your home screen.

Step 2: In this step, there are two ways for you to clean the trash:

To clean one file from the trash, hold "Command" and select the file you want to clean. A warning will be given by the system, press "Delete" immediately to complete your manipulation.

If you want to clean all files on the trash, go to a “Finder Window” in the Dock, then choose “Empty Trash”.

However, when you do not clean the trash, the file on it will be automatically deleted after 30 days.

2. Use The Combination Of Command + Delete

Do you want to make a quick clean? We have a solution for you that is a combination of keyboard shortcuts.

Permanently Delete Files on Mac

Step 1: Select files that you need to delete and press "Command" + "Delete" at the same time.

Step 2: Go to the trash and confirm deletion to permanently delete files on Mac.

Just with two easy steps, you are able to remove unnecessary things from your Mac.

3. Finder Is Also A Good Choice

We can not deny the useful function of "Finder" on Mac. Besides adjusting the quick manipulation, such as making a new folder, or a quick look, etc., you can completely delete any files you want with this tool.

Permanently Delete Files on Mac

Step 1: On the "Dock", access "Finder" and choose what should be cleaned.

Step 2: Move the mouse to the file, and hold "Option" at the same time.

Step 3: Scroll down the mouse and press "Delete Immediately.

Step 4: You will see a warning notification, including "Yes" and "Cancel". Of course, you need to choose the "Yes" option.

4. Another Keystrokes Combination To Remove Files On Mac

Actually, there are many ways to delete files permanently on a Mac. Besides the three simple ways we have mentioned above, you can try this option which combines the Command + Option + Delete Keystrokes.

Permanently Delete Files on Mac

This solution looks like the second way, but these keystrokes are quickly manipulated. Follow how to do below:

Step 1: Select what files you want to clean.

Step 2: Hold the keystrokes "Command" + "Option" + "Delete" to completely remove all things you choose.

5. Permanently erase data with Mac data eraser

The 4 methods above can help you quickly delete files on Mac. However, these methods can’t erase the files permanently. The deleted files still can be recovered by data recovery software.

If you want to permanently delete files before you sell, donate or dispose of your Mac computer, you can use data erasure software to help you securely and permanently delete images, documents, videos and other files.

DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac is a powerful data erasure application. It can help you securely and permanently delete files or erase disk drive on Mac. Once your data is erased by DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac, the data will be lost forever, can’t be recovered by any data recovery software.

DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac

Follow the steps below to help you securely and permanently delete files on Mac:

Step 1. Run DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac on Mac, then add the files you want to permanently delete.

securely delete Mac files

Step 2. Click on Erase Now button. Then DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac will permanently erase the selected files.

securely delete Mac files

Once the process gets finished, the files will be gone forever, can’t be recovered by any data recovery software.

securely delete Mac files

Secure Mac data deletion solution can permanently destroy your files or data and overwrite the disk space of deleted data to avoid data recovery. DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac offers very easy way to securely delete Mac files. It is fully compatible with all Mac computers and all popular Mac OS X/macOS.

It also can securely delete files from storage media like USB flash drive, external hard disk, digital camera, SD card, etc. It is also the best solution to securely format Mac hard drive or format external hard drive under Mac OS.

DoYourData Author

Written & Updated by Shirly Chen

Shirly Chen has been writing data recovery, data erasure articles for DoYourData over 4 years. She has been working as a professional website content writer & editor for quite a long time. She also writes articles about disk clone, Mac optimization, disk backup, etc.

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