How do you fully get rid of deleted files?

GLD · Dec 2, 2012

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? :confused:

FordGT90Concept · Dec 2, 2012

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

FordGT90Concept said:
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

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

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

GLD · Dec 3, 2012

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

HossHuge · Dec 3, 2012

natr0n said:
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

HossHuge said:
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

HossHuge said:
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).

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How do you fully get rid of deleted files?

GLD

FordGT90Concept

"I go fast!1!11!1!"

qubit

Overclocked quantum bit

FordGT90Concept

"I go fast!1!11!1!"

natr0n

GLD

HossHuge

Aquinus

Resident Wat-man

Drone

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