Hi!
I have some questions regarding the proper steps in secure file deletion as I'm getting a tad confused. I'm on Win7 64-bit, partitioned drive (C:, D:).
I started off using Eraser and was placing files/dirs in the Recycle Bin and using the shell option > Eraser, but when I used Recuva to verify the deletion I was finding the random names still in D:\$Recycle.Bin.
So I figured Eraser wasn't doing the job and used CCleaner with Wipe Free Space and Wipe MFT Free Space selected. Now, when I run Recuva, I'm seeing ZZZ file names and directories. I tried to Secure Overwrite these items in Recuva, but I receive the error, "File is Resident in the MFT."
I'm a bit baffled as to what the procedure is to a secure deletion and why I can't get rid of those ZZZ files now.
- Should I move files to the Recycle Bin to secure delete them or should I just delete the files from it's current location?
- What is the main difference between using Eraser and CCleaner and what scenarios garner when should I use one over the other?
- Should I be using Wipe Free Space?
- Does Wipe Free Space return usable/writable space or is it gone forever, meaning I actually lose space in the end - unless I format?
- Does Secure Deletion return usable/writable space or is it gone forever, meaning I actually lose space in the end - unless I format?
- Is there anyway to get rid of those ZZZ files?
- I only have one hard drive, so what if I needed to wipe the entire drive and start over - I assume I'd need another hard drive first?
I'm sure I'll have more newbie questions...
Thanks for any help you can give me!