I'm selling a computer and want to make sure all the files I deleted are gone for good.?

Question

I've read some of the previous questions but can you please confirm which software (free) I can use to make sure the deleted files stay deleted. I am also leaving some files on the computer for the new owner and I want to make the new files or the software (MS Office, etc.) DOESN'T get deleted. Is the software something you just download and it automatically does it's thing? I'm no Bill Gates so I need the 1st grader instructions. Thanks!

Answer 1

Down load Secure clean pro. I could give yopu a better more direct link but my government firewall prevents me..

Anyway Install it, run a scan... then you may have to look under cleaning options.. and have a nice 3 times overwrite.. This will take car of any thing. Anyway its a 30 day demo , I liked it it so much I bought it... Try it... you will like it..

Assuming you figure it out haha Look for "Try It DEMO" on the left side

Answer 2

The answer regarding the level of information that you are trying to protect is correct.

If it is nothing more than a few files with no sensitive data in it, then emptying the recycle bin should accomplish the task.

Deleted info is not deleted per se, it is merely renamed and shoved off to a corner of the hard drive that is rarely used.

I personally either a) do not sell my used desktops with my hard drive in it, or b) if I do, I use a program called System Mechanic, and perform what is commonly referred to as the Gutmann wipe, where the deleted data is overwritten a total of 35 times.

For your situation, where it seems like you merely want to make sure that you're data is gone while leaving the system files and programs intact, the best bet may be to scrub the hard drive, if you have really sensitive information, then buy a commercial program that can perform the wipe (there are more out there than just System Mechanic), and reinstall the OS and programs.

Here is a good forum dealing with just this issue:

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=99943

Computer security is a funny thing, generally misunderstood, and very dangerous when it is.

Answer 3

Reformatting your hard drive isn't a sure thing. Even if you do that you'll still have fun reinstalling the operating system (the computer will be hard to sell without one)

The only way to make sure there's no sensitive information is to take the hard drive out of the computer, take it apart & then beat the platters with a hammer until they break (unless you have a welding torch.....)

Your best bet is to use Control Panel -->Add/Remove programs to remove the programs you're not selling with the computer.

Then get a file shredding/wiping program and use it to clear out any sensitive data. These work by repeatedly writing random numbers to the area where the file is stored. This puts garbage on it.

At least one encryption program has the option of just shredding files. As far as I've been able to tell it is free of spyware/jtrojans & junkware.

Answer 4

If offered it as a pre-equipped laptop that got here with Vista pre-put in, a device restoration will delete each and everything different than in spite of application got here pre-put in on the no longer easychronic. In different words, you need to do a device restoration and Vista could nonetheless be on the laptop and your neighbor ought to apply it.

Answer 5

Reformat the hard drive, that will get rid of everything. You can find out how on the Microsoft help board at the Microsoft corporate website. It is dead easy.

If you know how to get to "DOS" you can do it just by typing at the arrow

"format c"

It will ask for a confirm, you have to type "yes"

Warning: your computer will be completely unusable after you do this and your hard drive will have to be reformatted by using a special disk before someone can download "BIOS" onto it again and then go from there. So make sure you don't wan't to use it before doing this.

But reformatting is the only way if you want to use the drive again. The only other way is to de-magnatize your hard drive but that makes the hard drive totally useless forever.

Some computer stores have a machines that de-magnatizes hard drives and once done they hand it back to you for disposal. It can never be re-magnatized, it's just junk but it is 100 percent effective.

Answer 6

Look, there are two methods of doing this:
It depends on how sensitive your data is

If it is not sensitive(like no terrorist data:)) then it is safe to delete it by right click & empty the recycle bin afterwards

But, the data can be recovered

If U have sensitive data that u dont want even the top intelligence agencies to get, u probably might have to get software to accomplish that

U can try www.killdisk.com- a good software to permanently erase all traces of any data

Or might try 'System Mechanic 7'-the trial version is enough for U- it can erase specific files as well as whole drives

U might even like to try 'Tune Up Utilities 2007-trial" that has a similar uility

For more software, u can google your search-'hard disk erasers'

Formatiing cannot ensure COMPLETE data erasal.

But, if u or ur buyer dont understand anthing of the above procedure, then

RIGHT-CLICK- DELETE / EMPTY RECYCLE BIN
ADD-REMOVE PROGRAMS / REMOVE

That's all that i can do for u buddy!

Answer 7

Honestly their is no way to do that

the only way is to Reformat your hard drive, Reinstall window and then reinstall all those programs. That is a pain in the ***.