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Alternate File Shredder
What it is
Alternate File Shredder is a free Windows program for permanently deleting files and folders. It can also overwrite a drive’s free space to help prevent recovery of previously deleted material. For overwriting, users can select a specific value, random values, or file content as the template. It does not wipe entire drives or schedule shredding. The maker describes the program as freeware and open source. Listed supported systems are Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11, and Server; .NET Framework 2.0 is required, and the maker says it is included in Windows since Vista. The page lists 20 languages, including English, German, Spanish, French, Chinese, and Japanese. Its listed version is 3.100, dated 13.02.2026. The maker cautions that users act at their own risk and should carefully choose which files to delete. A contact page provides a form for messages.
For and against
For
- Deletes files and folders permanently.
- Can overwrite a drive’s free space.
- Offers specific-value, random-value, and file-content overwrite choices.
- Freeware and open source.
Against
- Does not wipe entire drives.
- Does not schedule shredding.
- Requires .NET Framework 2.0.
- The maker places use at the user’s own risk.
The verdict
Alternate File Shredder covers file and folder deletion as well as free-space overwriting, but not whole-drive wiping or scheduled tasks. Its Windows requirements and the maker’s deletion caution are worth noting before use.
Who it suits
It suits Windows users who need to permanently delete selected files or folders, or overwrite unused drive space. Users should be comfortable choosing files carefully and taking responsibility for deletion.
Plans and prices
Freeware
Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 and Server · .NET Framework 2.0 · 2.4 MB download
Read 14 Oct 2026 · alternate-tools.com
On the record
- Activity log
- Softpedia says users can inspect logged activity information after shredding operations.softpedia.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Adware and telemetry statement
- The maker says its programs do not install adware, alter browser settings, phone home automatically or inspect private user data.alternate-tools.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Current listed version
- The page lists version 3.100, dated 13.02.2026.alternate-tools.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Current version
- The official page lists version 3.100, dated 13 February 2026, with a 2,460.05 KB file size.alternate-tools.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Deletion confirmations
- Softpedia reports an option to turn off deletion confirmation prompts.softpedia.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Distribution rights
- The maker says its programs may be copied and shared freely but may not be sold or rented.alternate-tools.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Drag-and-drop
- Softpedia describes adding files and folders to the task list by dragging them into the main window.softpedia.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- File and folder deletion
- The program permanently deletes files and folders so they cannot be recovered.alternate-tools.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- File-name shredding
- Softpedia reports that the application can overwrite file names as well as file contents.softpedia.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Free space wiping
- It can overwrite a drive’s free space to prevent recovery of previously deleted files.alternate-tools.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Independent changelog detail
- Softpedia lists custom color support as a version 3.100 change.softpedia.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent performance praise
- Softpedia’s reviewer reports no freezes, crashes or error messages and says CPU and memory use stayed low during testing.softpedia.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent recovery test
- In Digital Citizen’s test, Recuva detected the 120 test files but could not recover any usable content after shredding.digitalcitizen.life · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent review praise
- Softpedia rates the application’s tested feature set as powerful and easy to use for securely deleting files and folders.softpedia.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent usability praise
- Digital Citizen characterizes the interface as simple and friendly for deleting individual files and complete folders.digitalcitizen.life · read 14 Oct 2026
- Languages
- The maker lists 20 included languages, spanning English, German, Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese and 14 others.alternate-tools.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: erasure algorithms
- Digital Citizen reports that the tested version offered only random-data overwriting, although users could choose the number of passes.digitalcitizen.life · read 14 Oct 2026
- MajorGeeks description
- MajorGeeks describes repeated overwriting and free-space wiping as intended to prevent recovery of deleted files.majorgeeks.com · read 14 Oct 2026
