Alternate File Shredder vs R-Wipe & Clean

Alternate File Shredder is a free Windows program for permanently deleting files and folders. It can also overwrite a drive’s free space to reduce the chance of recovering files that were previously deleted. For overwrite patterns, users can choose a specific value, random values, or file content. It does not wipe entire drives or schedule shredding tasks. The maker describes the program as freeware and open source. Its listed systems are Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11, and Server;.NET Framework 2.0 is required, and the page says it has been included with Windows since Vista. The maker lists 20 languages, including English, German, Spanish, French, Chinese, and Japanese. The listed version is 3.100, dated 13.02.2026, and the freeware plan costs nothing. The maker warns that users run the program at their own risk and should take care when selecting files to delete. A contact form is available for messages.

R-Wipe & Clean removes unnecessary files, frees disk space and clears privacy-related traces from online and offline activity. It can clean browsing history, cookies, download and document lists, caches, temporary files and traces from many third-party applications. Users can create cleaning lists for unsupported applications and combine jobs to run immediately or at scheduled events such as startup, shutdown, logon or logoff. The Windows edition offers strong or fast file and free-space erasure methods, including DoD-approved algorithms. It recognizes SSDs and defaults to wiping only necessary data to reduce additional wear. Many Windows operations can be launched from Windows or File Explorer, and tasks can also run from a command line. The Windows version includes password protection, stealth mode and a Boss Key. The Mac edition cleans traces from more than 100 native and third-party applications and lets users inspect details of many items before erasing them. Both editions have fully functional 30-day trials. When the Windows trial ends, the software becomes Lite, which continues cleaning essential traces. Listed Mac requirements cover macOS 10.7 through 10.12.