Permanently deleting files

[Guest]

Does Vista permanently delete files when they are deleted from the recycle
bin so that they can never be recovered?

Thanks!

 

[Ken Blake]

Does Vista permanently delete files when they are deleted from the
recycle bin so that they can never be recovered?

No, it does the same thing that all other versions of Windows and DOS do.

Here's my standard post on this subject:

"Deleting" a file doesn't actually delete it; it just marks the space as
available to be used. There are third-party programs that can sometimes
recover deleted files. The problem is that the space used by the file is
likely to become overwritten very quickly, and this makes the file
unrecoverable.



So your chances of successfully recovering this file are decent if you try
recovering it immediately after deleting it, and rapidly go downhill from
there. If you've been using the computer since then (for example to write
this question and read this answer), your chances are probably very poor by
now.



But if the file is important enough, it's worth a try anyway. Stop using the
computer in question immediately, if you haven't done so already. Download
an undelete program (here's one:
http://www3.telus.net/mikebike/RESTORATION.html but there are several others
to choose from; do a Google search) on a friend's computer and bring it
yours on a floppy to try.



If this fails, your only other recourse is to take the drive to a
professional file recovery company. This kind of service is very expensive
and may or may not work in your case.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply. I really wanted to make sure the file cannot be
recovered. To be sure, I will get a program that permantly deletes the file.
From what I understand, these programs actually write over the space of the
deleted file.

Cheers!

 

[Ken Blake]

Thanks for the reply.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

I really wanted to make sure the file cannot be
recovered. To be sure, I will get a program that permantly deletes
the file. From what I understand, these programs actually write over
the space of the deleted file.

Yes. However, note that these programs make the file much more difficult to
dlete, but not impossible. Professional data recovery companies, using
expensive and sophisticated techniques and equipment can often recover even
overwritten files. For that reason the US Government does *not* rely on such
software for really sentistive data, but physical destroys the drive in a
furnace.

Only you can know how sensitive your data is and what risks you are willing
to run. For most of us, overwriting is good enough, but it may not be for
you. But always remember that nothing you can do, short of physical
destruction, is perfect.

 

[Huib]

Hi,
If you are using Vista Ultimate than a function "Shadow copies" is included
and a deleted is stille available.
Vista Premium hasn't that function.

Huib

 

[Michael]

I have read that the saving of old copies does exist in vista home premium,
just the ability to recover the old ones is left out.
Reports have been that after upgrade to ultimate from home premium the
ability to get previous versions (before the upgrade) was magically there.
(Just rumor, I have not done an upgrade as described so cannot confirm).
Michael

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

On Tue, 17 Jul 2007 17:43:12 -0400, "Michael"

I have read that the saving of old copies does exist in vista home premium,
just the ability to recover the old ones is left out.
Reports have been that after upgrade to ultimate from home premium the
ability to get previous versions (before the upgrade) was magically there.
(Just rumor, I have not done an upgrade as described so cannot confirm).

Yep; I raised that as item 3 of 4 "shadow copy" issues here:

http://cquirke.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!C7DAB1E724AB8C23!191.entry?_c=BlogPart

My other 35 or so "Vista wishes" are here...

http://cquirke.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!C7DAB1E724AB8C23!336.entry

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When Occam's Razor meets the Halting Problem,
the Halting Problem wins

 

[Guest]

Yes it does,any Windows will permanently delete files that are deleted once
they are in the Recycle Bin and you can never get them back. Hope this helps!

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

On Fri, 20 Jul 2007 06:52:03 -0700, Rick

Yes it does,any Windows will permanently delete files that are deleted once
they are in the Recycle Bin and you can never get them back. Hope this helps!

How does that work with direct deletion (e.g. from CMD or automation)
that bypasses the Recycle Bin?

AFAIK, the SR engine has always operated "below" the Recycle Bin
level, and probably sees "recycling" as a generic move operation.

AFAIK too, Recycle Bin is still something that works at a higher
(shell) level, and does not "catch" all deletions.

So if something is deleted "below" the shell but "above" the SR engine
(as everything within an OS runtime generally is), then such material
will not be in Recycled to "really" delete, yet may be retained by the
SR (now generic "shadow copy") engine.

Has anyone tested this stuff and can fill us in?

---------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -

When Occam's Razor meets the Halting Problem,
the Halting Problem wins

 

[Marcin Domaslawski]

Hi,

cipher /w:c:\

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/298009
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/814599


Marcin Domaslawski