

Move the files into your trash (at the end of the Dock).IT will NOT be able to recover them afterwards! Method 1: Secure Empty Trash Warning! The following methods will PERMANENTLY delete the files in your trash and other files you have previously deleted. If you have been working on encrypted files or other sensitive data and see this folder in your trash, you should use the Secure Empty Trash option to securely erase them from your computer. Note: Mac OS can keep a copy of your files in a "Recovered Files" folder in the trash. If you have sensitive data on your machine and need to delete it securely, there are two methods to use: Search the Help Desk Search Securely Deleting Sensitive Data on a MacĮven after you have deleted files from your machine, they may still be recovered by special file-recovery software. Course Google Group Request (course email list).SenusAccess (accessible document converter).If the Security Options button is not available, Disk Utility cannot perform a secure erase on the storage device. Secure erase options are available only for some types of storage devices.

(Optional) If available, click Security Options, use the slider to choose how many times to write over the erased data, then click OK. If the Scheme pop-up menu isn’t available, make sure you selected the storage device you want to erase-it’s at the top of the hierarchy.Ĭlick the Format pop-up menu, then choose a file system format.

Ĭlick the Scheme pop-up menu, then choose GUID Partition Map. In the sidebar, select the storage device you want to erase, then click the Erase button. If you want to erase any other type of storage device: Double-click Disk Utility in the /Applications/Utilities folder. Note: If you want to get your Mac ready to trade in, sell, or give away, and your computer is a Mac with Apple silicon or an Intel-based Mac with an Apple T2 Security Chip, use Erase Assistant.
