How to wipe files completely from laptop?

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  1. Posts : 1,035
    Windows 10
       #1

    How to wipe files completely from laptop?


    I have document on my computer and they are documents and also pictures/videos on my computer. Many of the documents are private documents so i just axcrypt to encrypt it. However, how do i delete all these files without any trace on computer? Do i just press delete, recycle bin and thats all? I cant imagine that would work as you could somehow always recover it right? The thing is certain documents that are axcrypt, there is an an option when you right click and it says secure delete. Can someone explain to me what this setting is with axcrypt? So if you want to want a document completely from your computer with no trace, should you axcrypt every document/video. Then you secure delete it?




    Another thing i want to ask is how do you not have any of these documents shown on your recent documents etc?How
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  2. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Securely wiping files on a hard disk means writing a variety of patterns over where the file content is located - multiple passes. A hard disk, unlike a SSD, is essentially a statistical thing- in a way, almost analogue rather than digital, as each bit is made up of many many mini magnetic dipoles.

    There are many programs around that can securely delete files.

    You can delete your Windows recent document list.
    Reset and Clear Recent Items and Frequent Places in Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials
    You may find other programs record their recent history separately.

    I don't know of a way to add exceptions to that being recorded.
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  3. Posts : 1,035
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi there. I basically just want to delete these files. So i can't just do that by deleting and empty recycle bin? These documents are already encrypted with axcrypt. Someone on anotehr forum suggusted privazer and I googled privazer and i read there is possible virus with it? So thats why i dont want to try it yet.
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  4. Posts : 194
    Windows 10
       #4

    There is no virus with Privazer if you download from their own website, I've done it many times.
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  5. Posts : 17,838
    Windows 10
       #5

    Something else to look at:

    SDelete Secure Delete Application
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  6. Posts : 516
    Windows 10 Professional 64bit
       #6

    If the files are encrypted already, technically deleting them off the hard drive using the standard Windows delete option would suffice. Even if somebody pulled them back up, they would be useless without the encryption key.

    To get a secure wipe of deleted files, delete them like you normally would and use a tool like CCleaner or Revo Uninstaller to wipe the free space.
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  7. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #7

    Something like this may help: Download Alternate File Shredder - MajorGeeks it can overwrite files being "Shreded" or you can just delete them and wipe free space.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 41,412
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #8

    Please update the specs in the "My Computer" section:
    System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums:
    System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums Windows 10 Tutorials
    In the left corner below in your post you find 'My System Specs'.
    After clicking it you can find a link a little below that says 'Update your System Spec', click on this link to get to the page where you can fill in your system specs.
    System Info - See Your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums

    There are different options available on computer's depending on the manufacturer and model.

    There are some manufactures that have a large number of government accounts. The computers have erase tools to meet the government erase requirements.

    https://www.us-cert.gov/sites/defaul...icesSafely.pdf
    DoD 5220.22-M Data Wipe Method [US DOD Wipe Standard]
    Last edited by zbook; 05 Mar 2018 at 04:26.
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  9.   My Computer


  10. Posts : 234
    Microsoft Windows 10 Home x64
       #10

    paulyjustin said:
    I have document on my computer and they are documents and also pictures/videos on my computer. Many of the documents are private documents so i just axcrypt to encrypt it. However, how do i delete all these files without any trace on computer? Do i just press delete, recycle bin and thats all? I cant imagine that would work as you could somehow always recover it right? The thing is certain documents that are axcrypt, there is an an option when you right click and it says secure delete. Can someone explain to me what this setting is with axcrypt? So if you want to want a document completely from your computer with no trace, should you axcrypt every document/video. Then you secure delete it?




    Another thing i want to ask is how do you not have any of these documents shown on your recent documents etc?How
    PaulyJustin, Avast Premier has a Data Shredder if that's any help.

    Attachment 179789
      My Computer


 

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