Permanently deleting files

[ColU_FC]

Can anyone recommend some software, preferably free, that will permanently delete files? I've got a new laptop that is acting up and I'm going to take it back to the shop and request a replacement. I want to make sure all my personal stuff is removed before I return it.

Thanks.

[Trilobite]

The free program SpyBot Search & Destroy has a file Shredding tool, although i have not used it my self !

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

[Trilobite]

You need to select Advanced Mode from the MODE menu, then click Tools to get to the Secure Shredder Tool.

You then Right Click the List box to add files to be shredded.

[ColU_FC]

Thanks Trilobite.

I now realise I have worded my question poorly. What I want to do is ensure that files that have previously been deleted cannot be resurected. Any ideas on how I can do this? I could restore the entire system to factory settings but I'm not sure whether even this guarantees that previously deleted files can't be restored.

[Trilobite]

You mean files you have already deleted right ?

I think a couple of us answered a same question a few weeks ago in here, i did post a link to something that was free and does what you ask, but i cant for the life of me remember what it was now !

[Trilobite]

Just remembered what it was, it was more than a few weeks ago, don't time fly eh

Prevent Undelete Being Run On My Laptop

[ColU_FC]

Perfect.

Cheers mate.

[brad89]

the only way to be 100% sure that data cannot be recovered is to physically damage the hard-drive so that it doesn't work.

If you format, or restore to the original factory settings etc, this should be enough in most cases

[AJ]

if you want to be sure, what you need to do to overwrite the disk space with random data.

Secure erase is fine for this, but if you want to be certain, you need to run it 7 times.

Anything less and data could be recovered.

[steveadam23]

Originally Posted by brad89

the only way to be 100% sure that data cannot be recovered is to physically damage the hard-drive so that it doesn't work.

If you format, or restore to the original factory settings etc, this should be enough in most cases

Files are easily recovered if you just do a format, using forensics software, so that is untrue.

When windows deletes a file it simply marks the space the file occupied as available - so it is simple to recover that way. As AJ said it has to be written over 7 times before it is really gone. The best software I have come across is Evidence Eliminator. It does cost to buy it - but if you look on some of the torrent sites there is a download there.

Steve.

[brad89]

Originally Posted by steveadam23

Files are easily recovered if you just do a format, using forensics software, so that is untrue.

When windows deletes a file it simply marks the space the file occupied as available - so it is simple to recover that way. As AJ said it has to be written over 7 times before it is really gone. The best software I have come across is Evidence Eliminator. It does cost to buy it - but if you look on some of the torrent sites there is a download there.

Steve.

In my post i said there is no feasible way to 100% permanently delete a file... i said IN MOST CASES, a format will be fine.