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Cipher Command to Wipe a Directory


In Command Prompt you can use the cipher command to wipe a directory and prevent deleted files from being recovered. The cipher command will write random data to a folder that you specify. You simply need to follow these steps.

1. Go to Start and type 'cmd'. Windows command prompt will open.

2. Then enter:

cipher \w:c:\[your folder path]

This command will not remove active, undeleted files, but it will wipe any files which have already been deleted from this folder.


Sean O'Shea has more than 20 years of experience in the litigation support field with major law firms in New York and San Francisco.   He is an ACEDS Certified eDiscovery Specialist and a Relativity Certified Administrator.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the owner and do not reflect the views or opinions of the owner’s employer.

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