Skip to main content

Repair information on hard drives or hard disks. Hard drives are magnetic data storage devices. They are used in most desktop, laptop, and server due to their low cost and high data density.

143 Questions View all
Question Closed

Permanently deleting files on my Windows PC?

I have a few private pictures I'd like to ensure are permanently gone. From what I know the gutman method is supposed to be efficient - any ideas?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Score 0
Add a comment

1 Answer

Chosen Solution

There are many programs implemented with the Gutmann method you've mentioned, especially by overwriting file patterns. If you only want to erase multiple files and not wipe the entire drive, use Eraser. Not sure if you already know this program, but it's essentially a file shredder. It is a freeware and open source security tool to completely remove certain data from HDD. It can overwrite data several times using randomised patterns of binary code.

Block Image

Or, you can use Recuva to find any files that have already been supposedly deleted but still are recoverable, and then securely overwrite them. Be sure to set Recuva to a high number of passes for secure overwriting as well. It'll overwrite the portion of the hard drive where the file lives repeatedly until it "decreases" its chance of recoverability

Hope that gives you a bit of ideas

Was this answer helpful?

Score 2

1 Comment:

Hey Roochie, thanks a lot for the advice. Both of the programs are exactly what I was looking for! Thanks mate. :)

by

Add a comment
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 0

All Time: 137