Is there such a programme?

Question

Hi all, was just wondering if there is such a programme that completley removes all unwanted/deleted items from the hard drive.
Aware that when we delete items they stay within the P.C...
Hence the need to fully clean!!!!

Thanks, all answers gratefully received!!

Answer 1

No. The best way is to physicallt the hard drive and destroy it.

Answer 2

There are comprehensive Hard Disk wiping progs available. These conform to American Security Services requirements.

However, this does not mean that your computer is then resistant to a forensic search, but most buyers would not know how to start anyway!

It is probably best to start your disk cleaning by removing all programs, except the OS.

Next, clear all search and Internet histories. Also clean your disk in the normal manner.

Then, using a program like Ashampoo, clean up your Directory.

Next, carry out a complete disk defragmentation.

After all this, load the disk wiping prog. on floppy disk and wipe the PC.

My method is a bit loaded toward overkill, but it ensures that just about every contingency is accommodated.

Answer 3

To completely remove all data on your hard drive you can download a free low level formatter from the manufacturer of your disk drive. It will remove (write nulls) to every track and sector and surface of your hard drive and so will take quite a time for a large capacity disk and there isn't anything that could recover the removed data.

Answer 4

there are two ways of doing this:

first way is that you can use disk cleanup.don't be freaked by the name .it will not wipe off your hard drive but will search for useless files on it.for using it ,go on my computer,select one of the partitions of your hard drive say drive C.right click on drive C.you will see a window popping up.on that window,you would see the disk cleanup tab.click on it.it will then search for unused or useless files on that drive.once it has finished up its work ,you can permamentaly delete files from that drive by tick marking the box which appear there.you can do this on all of your hard drive partitions.

second way is that you can use CCleaner(download it from www.CCleaner.com)to remove the useless ones.this method can be difficult but you will get used of it.CCleaner can also repair registry issues of your computer.

after doing this defrag your hard drives.this may speed up your computer.don't use the windows defragment tool.it can take upto hours as i have used it.use the auslogics disk fragmentator.it will also take time to defrag your hard drives but slightly less than the windows one.download it from www.download.com

Answer 5

Very Good Question! I do not know of a program, However i am planning to sell my computer soon, and i was worried about this very thing, i know it IS possible to bring back deleted files, I have done it before, I will watch this question for an answer as well, best of luck to you.

Answer 6

Eraser will do it; so will File Shredder free here
http://www.fileshredder.org/

install and run ; click on "shred free space" - that's it

note: if you have a large hard drive with a lot of free space, this will take a considerable amount of time; if you don't require a high security level, click shredder settings>algorithms and select a lower setting.

Answer 7

windows washer. When you delete something, the data isn't exactly overwritten, but the space is flagged as available. Windows Washer writes blank data over HD space flagged as available, and its free.

Answer 8

you should have been given a "return to factory settings"
disk when you bought your computer ..it completely wipes everything off the hard drive (remember to keep a copy of everything first) you can purchase a disk in PC WORLD

Answer 9

http://sourceforge.net/projects/eraser/