Data Cleaning in Windows 10 PC

Forums › Microsoft Windows › Data Cleaning in Windows 10 PC

DanielLogan

1 post

Wannabe Geek
Inactive user

#210378 24-Mar-2017 22:42

Hello All,

Kindly provide your valuable inputs for removing sensitive videos from my Window 10 PC (free if possible).

Further, please explain is my OS also deleted? By this. Any method by which I can save it.

Awaiting your responses!

alienwithin

136 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#1747333 24-Mar-2017 22:57

i've always used crap cleaner for cleaning sensitive files off my computers before selling them, doesn't delete your OS, but can be used to clean your HD before selling

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

solutionz

589 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1747334 24-Mar-2017 23:01

Delete the files as normal (remembering to empty the recycling bin).
If not already, enable BitLocker Drive encryption on the drive the files were stored being sure to select "Encrypt entire drive" (this will overwrite the empty drive space with random data).
If BitLocker is already enabled or as an alternative you can use a free tool to overwrite the empty space instead preserving your system data: https://www.raymond.cc/blog/make-your-recoverable-datas-unrecoverable/

Note evidence of the files could still remain in browser history, system thumbnail DB's, recent file lists and applications etc so you will need to take appropriate steps to address those as required.

The only fool-proof option for you would be to reinstall Windows and enable Bitlocker as above.

PaulBags

809 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1747351 25-Mar-2017 00:10

solutionz:
Note evidence of the files could still remain in browser history, system thumbnail DB's, recent file lists and applications etc so you will need to take appropriate steps to address those as required.

Also the filename(s) might still be stored in file tables/journals, and be discoverable in undelete programs. Renaming before deletion to obscure might be good enough, otherwise reformatting the partition - but the OS isn't going to survive that if it's on the same drive.

This is one of the reasons why, wherever possible, I'll keep OS/programs on a seperate drive/partition to user data.

Rickles

2938 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1747440 25-Mar-2017 10:33

Really depends on just how 'sensitive' you feel the videoos are, and to what degree you want any traces 'undiscoverable'.

Take a look HERE for what may be appropriate apps to do the job for you.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79297 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1747516 25-Mar-2017 11:58

This thread is locked. The OP is a spammer and banned. I did leave the topic visible though because there's some responses from our existing community.

(Classic spam thread: someone comes with a question such as "How do I recover Word files" and after a few days someone else, also a new member replies with a "Use this [unknown spammy application that no one should trust ever]")