"Men don't care what's on TV. They only care what else is on TV."
"Men don't care what's on TV. They only care what else is on TV."
Windows XP help - How do I permanently delete files in Windows?
When You Delete A File In Windows It's Not Really Deleted
When you delete a file in Microsoft Windows it goes into your Recycle Bin.
The Recycle Bin temporarily stores your files until you decide to really delete them, or restore them. 
It's a kind of a safety-net in the event you change your mind and want your file back.
By default, Windows will automatically 'empty' the Recycle Bin when the contents reach 10% of the total available storage space on your hard drive. For most systems this means there can be a lot of old files in the Recycle Bin at any time!
You Can Manually Empty The Recycle Bin By Following These Steps:
- Find the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and right-click on it with your mouse button.
- On the menu that appears, select "empty Recycle Bin"
- A message will appear asking you to confirm that you really want to delete all the files in the Recycle Bin. If you're sure, choose YES.
Even After Emptying The Recycle Bin Files Aren't Really Gone!
Did you know that even after you empty the Recycle Bin your files and data are still on your hard drive, and still easily accessible to anyone with access to your PC?
This is because of how Microsoft Windows 'deletes' files. When Windows deletes your files from the Recycle Bin it does not 'wipe' from your disk, it only removes the location of where your files were from it's File Allocation Table (FAT). Removing the file information from the "FAT" means that Windows no longer recognizes the data as being available, but the data is still on your hard disk and can easily be recovered using recovery software or hacking tools!
It Is Possible To Fully Erase Your Data For Security And Privacy Reasons
Fortunately for those concerned about their privacy, there are utility programs available to fully and securely wipe old files from your hard drive. These utilities wipe the actual data information from your disk by using complex 'hashing' and encryption that makes your old files and information completely unrecoverable - even by the FBI! It has been rumored (although we have no way of knowing if this is true) that Al-Qaeda used these techniques on computers recovered in Iraq and Pakistan, making it impossible, or at the very least, difficult for the CIA and FBI to recover the data on the computers. One very good "privacy" program is Evidence Eraser. Evidence Eraser scans your PC and securely removes all your "tracks". You can download a Free-Trial of Evidence Eraser by clicking here: Click here for the Evidence Eraser Free Trial
Internet safety tip:How to stay safe on the internet
Keep your internet surfing private
Technical info:How does data recovery work?
How to reformat Windows
re: erasing files
For future reference,old school style....If your worried about "red dye" dont rob the Bank.
~~~
...Freedom isn't Free...
Google Something like DOD
Google Something like DOD Delete....
so if I use recovery software.. It'll ALL be back on?
Submitted by kaitiekatt on November 10, 2006 - 11:33pm.
Okay, so I have some annoying files that I deleted that I really don't want back on (files that caused a mini virus, that stuff) so if I use recovery software, or a hacking system... EVERYTHING including the annoying file will be back on?
Or do I have a choice?
Recovery software
it really depends on the recovery software.. it is possible that some recovery programs will recover everything - including things that you don't want..
Completely Erase Files
Submitted by zmgrant on October 16, 2006 - 7:55pm.
Write a quick cmd line script to write the whole drive to ones or zeros ur choice
thatl get rid of everything
Erasing files from hard drive
IF you can do this, what software is safe to use that won't destroy your computer?
Really erase files from your hard drive
All the 'professional' programs are safe, and wont destroy your computer.. You can download them from the net for around $20 (some cost a little more).. i always stay away from the free ones because i dont trust them (spyware, no support, etc)..
I havnt used one in a long time (i got nothing to hide!) or i would tell you which one i used.. but i cant remember now!
Securely permanently erase files in XP
Submitted by Trev (not verified) on July 24, 2006 - 10:13pm.
I'm sure that if the FBI or CIA found osama bin laden's hard-drive, they would be able to get ANYTHING out of it.
Permanently Erase Files
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on June 22, 2006 - 8:49pm.
Delete from recycle bin if you dont already know that...but it is still recoverable if the user is computer savvy.
Other ways:
-Soak it in HCl acid.
- Delete files using DBAN. It is effective but erases the entire hard drive.
Peace.
Permantly delete files in xp
Submitted by Jensen (not verified) on July 8, 2006 - 10:01pm.
ok, i tried the HCI acid but now windows won't boot, and the skin is peeling off my fingers LOL!
if your files/data/kiddy porn is THAT secret you should not be using Windows!
Permanently Erase Files in Windows
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on July 20, 2006 - 8:55pm.
LOL!
Use erasing software before the HCI !
permantly erasing files
what are a listing of some programs and utilities that totally hash and encrypt the files so the fbi can't even recover them?
for future reference