Permanently deleting files?

Question

I was recently given a used PC as a gift.

Since it was given to me through someone else, I don't know the person who had it before I received it. Therefore, I'd like to clean it out just to be safe.

I understand how to permanently clean an entire hard drive, but I don't want to do that because I've already installed some programs and I don't want to go to the trouble of re-installing so much. (The erasure program I use is "Sure Delete," BTW.)
I've already used the "Recycle Bin" and the "Delete Cookies" and "Delete Files" options, but I understand that they don't permanently delete pictures and some other items from the hard drive.
How can I delete files that may have been downloaded online, if they've already been deleted through the "Delete Files?"
How can I find files that have been deleted through "Delete Files" but not totally deleted? I'd like to find and delete everything that was there before I got the computer (without deleting the hard drive).
Thanks.

Answer 1

I think you're solution will be more time-consuming than formatting and reinstalling everything. If you don't know what was there before, how will you know what to look for to delete?

I suggest you just make sure you have a super firewall, anti-virus, and spyware killers, run them, run disk cleanup, and forget about it.

If you suspect the previous owner was into porn or illegal stuff that you're afraid of, then best you decline the PC.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Download Tuneup Utilities 2007, there is tree version of deleting files. Any of that version is time limite, and if you wanna delete something for cca 99% you mus waiting longer (Gutmans version).