What happens to computer files once they are deleted?

Question

After you emptied the trash. And how do you get rid of them permanently.

Answer 1

Believe it or not, when you delete a file, nothing happens to it. It is STILL THERE! Here is how the deletion process works in Windows (Note this is a broad description for those who don't want TOO much detail - So if you are a details freak, this explanation may cause you pain)

When you delete a file and the window pops up and asks if you want to send the file to the recycle bin, and you answer yes. All that occurs is that the data that keeps track of what folder the file is in changes to the Recycle bin folder. That's all. You don't free up ANY hard drive space, the file doesn't REALLY move just the description of which folder it is a member of changes.

When you go to the recycle bin and delete a file from there, the file STILL doesn't get erased. What occurs then is that the 'keep track' data is erased and the physical space on the hard drive that the file is taking up is returned to the pool of unused disk space. The actual data in that file remains untouched at deletion time but the physical space it took up is now available for reuse.

In other words, since the computer OS can no longer keep track of the data in that deleted file, it justifiably thinks that it can use the old space as needed for new stuff because the OS can't see files not described in the 'keep track' data.

This is why it is possible to frequently recover 'erased' data. If you can use a special program to read the data on a disc drive (without using the data that the OS uses to keep track of files) BEFORE the OS has a chance to reuse all or part of the recycled space, then what ever hasn't been reused will still have the deleted stuff still on it. Sometimes you can only do a partial recovery because some of the freed up space has already been used.

Answer 2

even if you delete from the recycle bin, they are not removed from the hard disk. They remain as long as there is space available, and overwritten by other files as new files are created. Therefore you can retrieve any deleted file even after a long time. If you are looking for a tool to permanently destroy a file then use a free program simple file shredder
http://www.scar5.com/
It can shredd a file unrecoverable.

If you are looking to remove already deleted files completely from the hard disk then use a free program called restoration
http://yanswers.blogspot.com/2006/09/file-recovery-and-file-destruction.html

Answer 3

Even after you delete something , an advanced PC user can stil laccess the file. It is very hard to completly remove a file from your Harddrive. I know there is a program called "Pest Patrol" , it is for spyware , but it comes bundled with a feature to "shred" files when you delete them. I dont know how well it works , but I guess its better then nothing. Hope that helps!!

Answer 4

They are stored on the hard drive, but inaccessible to the average computer user, there are programs you can download to access the files for a price but I don't know what they are you could try googling (retrieving deleted files)! Peace!