How do you fully get rid of deleted files?

GLD · Dec 2, 2012, 08:51 PM

I recently found the program Recuva from Piriform. I ran the scan for pictures and was surprised at the "deleted" pics in found on my computer. Pics I never downloaded. Pics that must have been in the background of web pages I have visited, image searches etc. I see in the progy I can overwright the files to make them unrecoverable, but is it possible to fully remove the files (pics, docs, vids, etc.) so they don't keep showing up in a scan?

FordGT90Concept · Dec 2, 2012, 08:55 PM

Eraser

That's the best you're going to get without destroying the drive. Do not use programs like that on SSDs.

qubit · Dec 2, 2012, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordGT90Concept

Do not use programs like that on SSDs.

If I remember correctly, that would quickly wear out an SSD, wouldn't it? A single pass erase should be fine though.

FordGT90Concept · Dec 2, 2012, 09:10 PM

Yes, additionally, SSDs have physical bits in them: they can't simutaneously store two values like a magnetized plate can. That's why they're easier to "erase" but they also have limited number of writes so one should refrain from doing so unless absolutely necessary.

natr0n · Dec 2, 2012, 09:20 PM

If you run ccleaner for example and use secure deletion in the settings you wont see anything left.

GLD · Dec 3, 2012, 12:48 AM

Thank's guys. Just plain 'ole sata drives in my system.

HossHuge · Dec 3, 2012, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natr0n

If you run ccleaner for example and use secure deletion in the settings you wont see anything left.

If I use secure deletion on an SSD drive will that damage it at all?

Aquinus · Dec 3, 2012, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HossHuge

If I use secure deletion on an SSD drive will that damage it at all?

It won't "damage" it if you do a single-pass but you will most likely reduce your SSD's life every time it is done which could eventually cause it to fail.

Drone · Dec 3, 2012, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HossHuge

If I use secure deletion on an SSD drive will that damage it at all?

It's not actual deletion. It just overwrites data with random jibberish stuff or 1s and 0s (depends on data killing method).

Dec 2, 2012, 08:51 PM	#1
GLD Join Date: May 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 955 (0.37/day) Thanks: 60 Thanked 119 Times in 69 Posts System Specs	How do you fully get rid of deleted files? I recently found the program Recuva from Piriform. I ran the scan for pictures and was surprised at the "deleted" pics in found on my computer. Pics I never downloaded. Pics that must have been in the background of web pages I have visited, image searches etc. I see in the progy I can overwright the files to make them unrecoverable, but is it possible to fully remove the files (pics, docs, vids, etc.) so they don't keep showing up in a scan?

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Dec 2, 2012, 08:55 PM	#2
FordGT90Concept "I go fast!1!11!1!" Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: IA, USA Posts: 10,648 (6.23/day) Thanks: 1,785 Thanked 2,632 Times in 1,986 Posts System Specs	Eraser That's the best you're going to get without destroying the drive. Do not use programs like that on SSDs. __________________ Golden Rule of Programming: Never assume. try { SteamDownload(); } catch (Steamception ex) { RageQuit(); }

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Dec 2, 2012, 09:10 PM	#4
FordGT90Concept "I go fast!1!11!1!" Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: IA, USA Posts: 10,648 (6.23/day) Thanks: 1,785 Thanked 2,632 Times in 1,986 Posts System Specs	Yes, additionally, SSDs have physical bits in them: they can't simutaneously store two values like a magnetized plate can. That's why they're easier to "erase" but they also have limited number of writes so one should refrain from doing so unless absolutely necessary. __________________ Golden Rule of Programming: Never assume. try { SteamDownload(); } catch (Steamception ex) { RageQuit(); }

Dec 2, 2012, 09:20 PM	#5
natr0n Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: FL,USA Posts: 1,172 (2.32/day) Thanks: 261 Thanked 597 Times in 311 Posts System Specs	If you run ccleaner for example and use secure deletion in the settings you wont see anything left. __________________ My Youtube Channel

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Dec 3, 2012, 12:48 AM	#6
GLD Join Date: May 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 955 (0.37/day) Thanks: 60 Thanked 119 Times in 69 Posts System Specs	Thank's guys. Just plain 'ole sata drives in my system.

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