"Marked for Deletion"

What exactly does Marked for Deletion mean? My index.dat is always flagged with this so I am not sure if it is actually erased beyond recovery!

"Marked for deletion" means the files in question are in use by the operating system at the time and so cannot be deleted "immediately"

instead, Windows has a special registry setting where files can be set to be deleted on the next boot - that's what happens to these index.dat files - they only get deleted when you next boot the PC (but rest assured, they do get deleted!) - Internet Explorer will subsequently recreate new versions of these files when you start using it again.

"Marked for deletion" means the files in question are in use by the operating system at the time and so cannot be deleted "immediately"

instead, Windows has a special registry setting where files can be set to be deleted on the next boot - that's what happens to these index.dat files - they only get deleted when you next boot the PC (but rest assured, they do get deleted!) - Internet Explorer will subsequently recreate new versions of these files when you start using it again.

but this should mean that the index.dat files aren't erased beyond recovery, which is what the OP seems (partly) concerned about. My guess is the file is just marked as deleted (not securely deleted) and is lying in free space, meaning it can be recovered.
but this should mean that the index.dat files aren't erased beyond recovery, which is what the OP seems (partly) concerned about. My guess is the file is just marked as deleted (not securely deleted) and is lying in free space, meaning it can be recovered.

then go to Ccleaner, go to options, then secure deletion.

put it on secure, 7 passes.

run Ccleaner then reboot.

*Note: this wont necessarily delete the files beyond recovery either.

this just means it will overwrite where that data is, 7 times.*

if you want a secure file deletion program, check out eraser.

its all a matter of how many times that empty space is over-written.

-aaron