Where do Deleted Files Go When They are Deleted?

Most PC users know that deleting a files doesn't completely delete it but instead moves it to the trash can (recycle bin)...... If you don't then you may want to take a look at yours now and see what's inside.

However emptying the trash (recycle bin) gets rid of it.. or does it? Well its certainly gone and it most circumstances you wont ever see the contents again.

But are the files really deleted? .. Well no.

Windows doesn't actually delete any files but simply forgets about them and allows them to be overwritten by other files. This means that, if they aren't overwritten, then they are still there on the disk.

This may be good news or bad new for you, depending on your perspective. if you deleted them by mistake, then they can probably be recovered. If you really wanted them deleted badly, then you haven't done it, and they may come back to haunt you.

Deleting Files Completely

The only really effective way of completely deleting data is to replace it with other data i.e. overwrite it. To make sure that it is completely unrecoverable even using forensic techniques you need to overwrite it multiple times.

This is effectively what Disk/file Wipe/shredding Software does. See Privacy Protection Software

Recovering Deleted Files

Unless files have been deleted using file deletion/shredding software they can be recovered. There are many vendors ( white canon ) selling file/data recovery software, most offer free trials that will show you the files that can be recovered but wont actually recover them. to recover them you will need to upgrade.

Unless files have been deleted using file deletion/shredding software they can be recovered. There are many vendors selling file/data recovery software, most offer free trials  that will show you the files that can be recovered but wont recover them.

Just running one of these programs will show you just how many files that you have on your system that you thought had been deleted.

Don't get Paranoid

Now you know what happens when files get deleted but there is no need to panic. If your data is vulnerable because you are giving your computer away or you are responsible for cleaning machines that are handed down to other users or you share a computer then get yourself some Privacy Protection Software.

For other users you should be aware of the problem and ensure that you wipe your disk before giving away your computer and you may want to consider encrypting personal data, especially if you are a laptop user.


 

Related Articles and Resources:

• Secure Internet Connections
• Temporary Internet Files
• Privacy Protection Software
• Using a Public Computer on The Internet