Recycle bin info

T

Thefaint423

New Member
When u delete a file from the recycle bin, how long does it take before the computer actually completely deletes it? Also is there any program that will completely delete files, you already deleted using the normal windows method? I managed to find programs that will delete files totally that haven't been deleted yet... but not a program that will totally delete files that you had already deleted using the normal windows methods.
 
Files are never truly deleted in normal running of MS OS.

Unless you are on the FBI's Most Wanted list, sounds a bit paranoid. Ace utility to completely remove is to reformat your hdd.

You could try recovering the deleted file with a file recovery utility and then use a fileshredder but I would not guarantee nothing is left behind from the original deleted file. It should however prevent a normal person re-recovering the deleted file (or should that be re-re-?!).

If the file went via Recycle Bin it is no longer called the original filename, Myfile.doc is now DcXXXX.doc or DdXXXX.doc depending on the drive it was on. You will have to recover all similar files and root through them to find the one you want.

Starman*
 
There is a program called System Mechanic 6 Pro that will totaly wipe all files from the Recycle Bin, but I can not comment on a pro "Cracking open" your HDD.

This program is one of the best "All in one" programs that will optimize almost anything.
 
Adam135 said:
There is a program called System Mechanic 6 Pro that will totaly wipe all files from the Recycle Bin, but I can not comment on a pro "Cracking open" your HDD.

This program is one of the best "All in one" programs that will optimize almost anything.
Click to expand...
Wait... there is no program that will completey delete the files from ur HDD? thats seems strange that u can completely erase a file if u haven't deleted it yet... but if u deleted it using normal windows methods... there is no program to completely erase the file u already deleted using normal windows methods...
 
The file is gone until the space is over written. If you want to securely erase data on your PC, you shoulf reformat several times and use special utilities to write over the data.

Even after one format you can still get most of your data back.
 
[-0MEGA-] said:
The file is gone until the space is over written. If you want to securely erase data on your PC, you shoulf reformat several times and use special utilities to write over the data.

Even after one format you can still get most of your data back.
Click to expand...
can u give me info on how to do this?
 
A quick format does nothing except write a new partition header. All of the actual data is still there.

SDelete can securely delete files. After one pass, it will be hard to recover the data, but the more passes the better.

A defrag will normally move free space around so it is harder to recover data but it isn't something to rely upon.
 
I have worked for a few companies that have made us use Eraser. Do a search for it. I have it on my home computer for some state confidential documents that i deal with from time to time. You can download it from download.com. I am allowed to write that right? Some forums say that if i state where to get it i'm spamming. Well, i'm sorry if i just broke a rule. Anyways, with Eraser you can even "clean-up" empty file space. hope my 2cents helped
 
Computer Forensics. Yup, says it all.

Anyways, just keep formatting it, putting a bunch of stuffs to fill up your hdd and format it again.. All stuff that you delete are still there and will always be there unless the space allocating it gets overwritten by something else.. then it'll disappear.. other than that, most of the stuff that you have deleted will usually always remain there.
 
I've only used three programs to fool around with doing this, and so far, I can't tell if they did the job or not, but they have a "Government Whipe" standard. They also cost money.

The first product I used was Norton Wipeinfo. Norton Wipeinfo is, unfortunately, part of the Norton Systemworks suite, and that is enough to make it not worth installing. However, reviews have stated it does the job, and if you really need it, it may be worth installing it alone.
Norton Systemworks Premier

Next is McAfee Shredder. McAfee Shredder comes with Virusscan Pro, and along with Quickclean (also included with VSP). This basically does the same thing that norton does, with the government wipe, and is strikingly identical in terms of operation. It just looks different

McAfee Store Link, check out the learn more for VSP

Lastly, there's PCTools privacy guardian. Now, to be honest, I stopped using it two versions ago, so I don't know exactly what the most current version is like, and how it works. I do know, that it used the same type of government wipe setting system. Should you decided to concider this option, download the trial first and see if it is what you need.

PCTools Privacy Guardian

I hope this has helped.

sc7
 
This does not help Thefaint423 but I want to comment to others that shredders are not to be toyed with.

It sounds very handy/trendy to have a file shredder but if anyone decides to install one, they have to bear in mind the possibility of the harm it could do. Everyone has accidentally deleted a file. Do that with a shredder and you can't go to the Recycle Bin. It's gone.

I know you can ask to be prompted for confirmation by the shredder. People get into routines and don't realize they right-clicked the "Shred with FileBeGone?" option rather than "Add to Zip" and hit Enter/Enter without looking.

I've had some on my pc but decided they are not worth the risk and I just don't need one.

Starman*
 
As a precaution, delete files like normal so they go to the Recycle bin, then every few days or so, use Eraser or a similar program to wipe the contents.
 
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