How can I permanently delete files that were already "deleted"?

Question

I'm trying to find a way to permanently delete files I already deleted from my laptop because I have little disk space left. All what I can find are programs that will permanently delete files you already have stored on your computer but that is not what I'm looking for. I'm trying to find a way to delete files that I already "deleted" throughout the past year. Thanks.

Answer 1

If you already deleted them, they're not taking any space - the space they were in is marked available, so it's part of the free space on the drive.



If you didn't delete them, but sent them to the recycle bin, that's where they are - in the recycle bin (which is just another folder). Right click the recycle bin and empty it.



(Files never get "removed", the space they're in gets reused. There are bytes in every sector of the hard drive. Whether they're a deleted file or random bytes makes no difference. If the space is part of the free space on the drive, it's free.



If you're afraid that someone can search the drive and find them, search for file shredders. Some of them "shred" free space too. That will keep them out of the eyes of a casual looker. If you want to keep them out of the government's eyes, you have to destroy the drive's platters (the "disks"). Hammering them to small pieces, then heating the peaces to red heat will do it. (Even if you wiped the disks with a magnet, they can be read in a lab.)

Answer 2

When you delete a file, all your computer does is erase the name of the file from the "list" so to speak. You need a program that will overwrite that area with a bunch of random stuff that doesn't mean anything. It may be very hard to erase the actual data you haven't "permanently" removed, but most data sectors are overwritten within a week or so after you have deleted something. I would recommend either



A) Saving anything you want to keep to disc, and doing a reformat several times.



or



B)Start using a program like Eraser http://eraser.heidi.ie/ from now on. Programs you pay for will work much better, but I can tell you now, that someone with the right tools can dig past several overwrites and get things you deleted years ago.



I'm assuming you've looked at or stored things that could get you in trouble, as most people would even think about looking for files you've deleted unless you are a child molester, terrorist, or international spy. Since none of these are likely, I wouldn't worry about it. If it is your parents you are worried about hiding your porn from, get a flash drive.

Answer 3

download and install Ccleaner not only does it delete deleted files but also will delete other files that are no longer needed but are taking up space.

Answer 4

Go for ccleaner great program for cleaning out the hard drive

Answer 5

Uh....empty the recycle bin like everyone else does?

Answer 6

right click u r drive and click disk cleanup

it restore some memory to you