what is the best way to make deleted data unrecoverable on my laptop?

Question

which software will do the job well. Most of the ones i have used are not very thorogh.

Answer 1

empty your recycle bin!..

Answer 2

Windows XP Professional and 2000 include a tool called Cipher to wipe out deleted files. Cipher is really an encryption tool—but one option allows you to use it to overwrite deleted files. Before using Cipher, make a backup of your files and folders.

To use Cipher: click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt. In the Command Prompt, you will notice the flashing insertion point. Type 'cipher /w:' (without the quotes) at the Command Prompt window. Then add the name of either your hard drive or an individual folder.

To overwrite your entire hard drive: type 'cipher /w:C:\' (without the quotes).
To overwrite an individual folder: type in the path (address) to that folder. The path should be in this format:
C:\folder name\folder name\folder name...

In the Command Prompt, if any of the folder names contains a space, put the path in quotes; for example:
“C:\folder name\folder name\folder name”

Cipher may take several hours.

Answer 3

The best way to accomplish the destruction of data you no longer need is to make use of a good digital file shredder. My recommendation would be to use a product like StompSoft's Digital File Shredder Pro. I have been using this to shred all of my electronic documents, that I no longer need. Not to mention, I have been unable to recover data that has been destroyed by this program. So, I think this is a good bet for your needs

Answer 4

There are several freeware applications that you can use to securely delete files. I recommend trying CCleaner (a.k.a Crap Cleaner). CCleaner can delete files with multiple passes. In addition, it also adds random data to the deleted file to make them even harder to recover. CCleaner can make three passes (meets Department of Defense standard) or seven passes (meets National Security Agency standard). You can download CCleaner at:

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/CCleaner_Crap_Cleaner/1100194579/1

Other worthy freewares are EZCleaner and Spybot Search & Destroy. EZCleaner can delete files with as many passes that you specify. Spybot Search & Destroy is an anti-spyware application but it does have a secure shredder feature. Like EZ Cleaner you can delete files with as many passes that you specified. You can find these two programs at www.majorgeeks.com

Answer 5

No commercial software will make deleted data unrecoverable, if a pro wants to get it back they could. I would burn the drive, then burn it again. Then the data would be safe.

Answer 6

Garo, that is not true. What do you think large companies or the government does when they need to replace computers. There may be sensitive data on those computers so they need to be cleaned. Sajr appearnlty knows a good one. Otherwise do a search for harddrive cleaner....and stop downloading all that porn :D

Answer 7

Simple File Shredder enables you to delete your files in a secure way, so they cannot be recovered by common undelete tools. It scrambles the file names and over-writes the files with random bytes before deleting them. Simple File Shredder provides a simple interface that allows you to select files via drag and drop, or Explorer right click menu, and lets you choose unlimited overwrite passes. Also includes an option to shred Firefox, Opera 8 and Netscape 8 browser junk files.

You can download it here, its free and legal:
http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/security/fwerase.html

Answer 8

There are loads of programs, try Window washer, and set the options to maximum, so it will write garbage over the sectors on your disc 3 times over any existing data before erasing.

Answer 9

an easy way is to delete and empy bin
copy a dvd to the same place and fill your drive up. then delete the dvd files
the files would have over writen that space
it does work

Answer 10

If you really want the files to be unrecoverable, burn the hard-drive in a kiln, that will make it impossible to read.

Answer 11

check into email encryption software. Some of them come as an entire package that will also do permanent deletions on the hard drive for security purposes.