When you delete a file/folder on Windows and then delete the content from the trash, where do the contents go?

Question

Where do files or folders go in Windows XP or other Windows OS when you delete them from the trash bin? They don't just fly away from the trash bin they must go somewhere? And if they do get stored somewhere on your computer, how to permanently delete them so they can not be traced again? Is there some free software out there to do this delete files permanently so no one can access them?

okay, but where does the file or folder go when you delete it from the trash bin? I want to be able to see part of the file and then just delete it. How do you know those software will wipe out the file(s)? And what best freeware software is there?

Answer 1

"A common misconception is that the data is actually removed from the hard drive (erased) when you delete a file. Any time that a file is deleted on a hard drive, it is not erased. Instead, the tiny bit of information that points to the location of the file on the hard drive is erased. This pointer, along with other pointers for every folder and file on the hard drive, is saved in a section near the beginning of the hard drive and is used by the operating system to compile the directory tree structure. By erasing the pointer file, the actual file becomes invisible to the operating system. Eventually, the hard drive will write new data over the area where the old file is located. "

There are 'shredding' utilities that can help make a file less recoverable. Mcaffe has one in their security suite.

Answer 2

The file or its contents don't go anywhere... only the pointer pointing to the beginning of the file is removed indicating that the space is available for writing and so when other stuff is saved, it partially or fully overwrites the file. Nothing is in a sense permanently deleted... there are tools that can recover everything.

BTW, if you want to delete files on your drive somewhat permanently, try Eraser tool -- its a freeware, also format your drive at least six to seven times.

Answer 3

First if a file is deleted in the trash bin, its completely erased from memory and off the hard drive. Second once the file has been completely erased there will be no trace of it.

Answer 4

well you are right, it doesn't go anywhere, actually operating systems(OS) maintain something called as 'File system' which keeps records of all files/folders/directorys/permission and other stuff for OS. once you delete a file and then empty trash it deletes an entry from file allocation table (FAT) which is in file system. the contents is still stored in the harddisk.

their are programs available that can re-write garbage value to FAT which cannot then keep track of old records. however writing new data in harddisk can be assure that old one is deleted. such software can be found from 'www.downloads.com'

Answer 5

Think of it like this: you scribble on a piece of paper. Then you erase it. Where did the words go?

Same idea.

However, there are remnants of the file on the drive. You need a scrubber program to rewrite all the "empty" space. That will clean them out.

Some systems actually do completely erase files on deletion so they cannot be recovered. Windows is NOT one of those.

Answer 6

yup .. I agree with the guys who say that the data is actually not removed if you empty the trash ,, the simplest way to see is by using any data recovery tool say like using the notron system works software that actually make your recycle bin to norton protected bin .. but it's not like it's not going to save it rather, it tries to locate the data based on their structures unless they are already overwritten when a new file requires data region

Answer 7

You are only deleting the entry from the file allocation table. the file will still be there in the hard disk. to remove it , you will have to do a low level format of the hard disk.

Answer 8

those files will be stored in the seprate portion which cannot be accessed by the os.the only way to erase those files is to format ur hard disk

Answer 9

They stay in your Hard drive, part of the filename is erased so the space can be used again.

Answer 10

Excellent question. I really don't know, but would like to. I will be checking for answers on this one. Also, you may want to present this question in the computer forum.