Any program to make the delete button actually delete the files?

Energize · 29 Jul 2007 at 03:23

Is there a program that integrates with windows so that when you right click on a file it permanently deletes it, ie overwriting the sectors with 0's?

Dureth · 29 Jul 2007 at 09:16

I used to use BC Wipe for this many moons back but I think it was free then. After looking at the page now it seems to require a licence, although the download is freely available. Might be worth checking out to see if the licence is applicable for home users.

DavidMarq · 29 Jul 2007 at 09:34

Try this Eraser

Free industrial strength file deletion.

eXor · 29 Jul 2007 at 09:59

Energize said:
Is there a program that integrates with windows so that when you right click on a file it permanently deletes it, ie overwriting the sectors with 0's?

Eraser does the job, though with Windows, some fragments ( or whole instances ) of the deleted file may exist elsewhere on the drive.

NathanE · 29 Jul 2007 at 10:06

If you just want to skip the Recycle Bin then press SHIFT+DELETE.

Dutch777 · 29 Jul 2007 at 11:21

I use CCleaner it does secure deletion with 7 passes dont know how secure that is though but its free.

stoofa · 29 Jul 2007 at 11:24

There are a few commercial packages out there which will make the file "vanish" to the point where most commercial retrieval packages won't be able to get it back.
The only sure way of destroying the data is by actually having the heads in the HD ground down to shavings (as per an NSI document from a few years ago).

IAmATeaf · 29 Jul 2007 at 13:41

stoofa said:
There are a few commercial packages out there which will make the file "vanish" to the point where most commercial retrieval packages won't be able to get it back.
The only sure way of destroying the data is by actually having the heads in the HD ground down to shavings (as per an NSI document from a few years ago).

Why would grinding the heads destroy the data on the platters?

IAmATeaf · 29 Jul 2007 at 13:42

I am the only 1 wondering why an average home user needs secure deletion?

M0KUJ1N · 29 Jul 2007 at 13:54

IAmATeaf said:
I am the only 1 wondering why an average home user needs secure deletion?

4 letter word, sounds like a crustacean commonly used in Oriental cuisine?

MarcLister · 29 Jul 2007 at 13:58

Corn?!

IAmATeaf · 29 Jul 2007 at 18:40

M0KUJ1N said:
4 letter word, sounds like a crustacean commonly used in Oriental cuisine?

Ahhhh Prawn! I've got some prawn scattered around my hard disks but nothing that I'd want perm deleted if the thought police paid a visit.

MarcLister · 29 Jul 2007 at 19:55

Just found this on Lifehacker. http://lifehacker.com/software/privacy/the-windows-file-shredder-right+click-edition-272437.php

Greenlizard0 · 29 Jul 2007 at 20:01

DavidMarq said:
Try this Eraser

Free industrial strength file deletion.

That's what I have used in the past.