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How to delete deleted files (so they cannot be recovered)

Good time!

Not so long ago, an acquaintance of mine was selling his computer and asked me to clean the hard drive of the PC (so that the buyer could not view any personal data and access his accounts).

And it was a revelation for him when I dropped a few words that after deleting the file (and emptying the recycle bin), the file does not disappear anywhere from the disk, and if desired, it can be restored ...

Actually, this article will discuss exactly how to clean the disks so that they cannot recover information from them (of course, the information in the article is relevant for users who are not hiding from professionals in this field, who can piece together a magnetic disk). Otherwise, only complete physical destruction of the drive (to smithereens, and burn the remaining pieces ... ✌).

And so, closer to the topic ...

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How to delete files so that they cannot be recovered

It is reasonable to split the current article into several parts, since different drives operate on different principles (and the delete operation will differ).

HDD (hard disk)

The most common storage type today. And at the very beginning of the article, I think it would be right to make a small footnote to tell in a nutshell how files are deleted from it ...

Probably, many have noticed one "moment": copying new information to disk takes much longer than deleting it. Why?

The fact is that when files are deleted, they do not actually disappear from the HDD, just the Windows OS thinks that this part of the disk (which these files previously occupied) has become free and new information can be written to it. That is, in fact, the information will be deleted only when new files are written instead of old files (moreover, in the "same place" of the disk).

Of course, until this "overwrite" occurs, the old information can be restored ...

By the way, when the disk is formatted quickly (which is performed by Windows), the information also does not disappear anywhere, and it can also be restored ...

It follows from the above that if we do not want someone to restore our old deleted files, we need to erase (overwrite) all free space on the HDD. In Windows, there is no such function for working with a disk, so you have to resort to third-party products ...

Option 1

If you need to delete a specific file or folder on the disk, then a set of utilities can be a very good choice. Advanced system care... In tools you can find File Shredder (the program allows you to permanently delete any data in 2-3 mouse clicks).

File Shredder / System Care

Please note that you can delete both arbitrary files and folders, and what has already been deleted earlier (and is located in the trash). Among the removal methods, there is an opportunity to use the Gutman method (considered one of the safest).

Safe Removal / System Care

Option 2

The free space cleaning function is also present in one of the most popular Windows optimization utilities - CCleaner... This tool is in the section "Service / Erase Disks" .

Please note that in the CCleaner settings, you can specify the number of passes that will be used to erase the disk (the more, the higher the erasure reliability).

Service - erase disks - clean up free space - 3 passes (CCleaner)

SSD (solid state drive), USB stick

The principle of operation of an SSD drive is significantly different from a hard drive (and therefore, all of the above in relation to it is not entirely correct).

What is the point: inside the HDD there are magnetic disks on which information is recorded using the head (see photo below) and, if necessary, this area can be easily rewritten hundreds of times.

HDD and SSD (what's inside the drives)

In the SSD, the information is stored on a special.microcircuits (memory cells) that have a certain number of write / rewrite cycles (after which they wear out and the disk becomes unusable). And for this reason, the SSD uses various "things" (auto-garbage collection, TRIM, etc.), designed to wear out the drive evenly - ie. so that different memory cells are always used (so that the disk will work longer and its performance will be higher). For this reason, Windows cannot "directly" access the desired "section" of memory ...

What's the solution here:

  1. use a utility from the disk manufacturer (if they have one) that caneverything overwrite memory cells with zeros. For example, Intel (Intel Solid State Toolbox), CORSAIR (CORSAIR SSD TOOLBOX), etc.
  2. use a special distributionParted magic... This complex must be written to a USB flash drive, boot from it and click on the tool "System Tools -> Erase Disk" (left, bottom) - select "Internal: Secure Erase" (Important! All data on the SSD will be deleted!).

    Screen of work Parted Magic

By the way, all of the above about SSD applies to ordinary USB flash drives. Honestly, flash drives, memory cards, etc. (on which you have documents, passwords, etc.) I would not recommend at all either to sell or donate to anyone ...

CD / DVD (compact discs)

One of the easiest and most reliable ways to delete information from CD / DVD disks is to physically destroy them. The method is not original, but all the others do not give guarantees ...

Important! Do not try to break CDs with your hands - there is a high risk of cutting yourself (and debris can fly off the disc and get into your eyes).

What is the best way to do this then:

1) If you work in an office, you may have a shredder (a device that cuts paper / CDs into pieces) .

Shredder (device for cutting paper, discs)

2) You can drill several holes in the disc with a conventional drill (wear protective goggles when drilling);

Discs destroyed ...

3) Wrap the disc with a rag (2-3 layers on all sides), and then break it with a hammer (this way you will protect from fragments).

Actually, there is one rather funny article on WikiHow (there you will find several more ways).

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That's all for now. Good luck!

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