Add Files, Folders, and Drag-and-Drop Targets

Applies to: All editions

Add individual files

  1. Open CertErase.
  2. Select Add Files.
  3. Choose one or more files.
  4. Confirm that each expected path appears in the Files area.

Adding a file does not alter it. Alteration begins only after the operator starts an erasure operation and accepts the irreversible-action confirmation.

Add folders

  1. Select Add Folder.
  2. Choose one or more folder roots.
  3. Allow CertErase to enumerate the folder contents.
  4. Review the resulting target list.

Folder enumeration is recursive. Inaccessible sub folders can be skipped during enumeration, which means the presence of a folder root in the interface does not prove that every descendant was accessible or added. Resolve permission and path errors before treating the operation as complete coverage of the folder tree.

After files are processed, CertErase attempts to remove selected folders and relevant sub folders. Folder removal can fail when a directory still contains an unprocessed item, is locked, or cannot be modified.

Use drag-and-drop

Drag files or folders from Windows Explorer into the CertErase target area. Review the paths after dropping them.

Remove or clear targets

Use Remove Selected to delete highlighted entries from the file list. Use Clear File List to remove all entries. These actions affect only the pending file list; they do not erase the files themselves.

Duplicate and changing paths

Before starting, check for:

  • Duplicate paths;
  • Links or junctions that could lead to unexpected locations;
  • Mapped drives whose destination may change;
  • Files moved or replaced after selection;
  • Folders receiving new files during processing;
  • Synchronized folders where deletion can propagate to other systems.

For controlled erasure, stop applications that can create or modify files in the target folder and capture a final manifest under the organization’s procedure.

Expected result

The Files area contains only approved targets, every path is accessible with the current operator account, and the operator can explain the scope of every selected folder.