How do you permanently erase empty hard drive space on XP

#1 skymaster191

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Posted 21 October 2010 - 04:12 PM

How do I permanently erase deleted files from empty hard drive space on Windows XP, without buying software? Can this be done through command prompt?

This post has been edited by skymaster191: 21 October 2010 - 04:17 PM

#2 thrillhouse

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Posted 21 October 2010 - 05:32 PM

go to start, run, type cmd and press enter. Type
format c: /U
and press enter and all the info will be erased.

#3 Eyesee

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Posted 21 October 2010 - 05:51 PM

"format c: /U
and press enter and all the info will be erased."

Thats exactly right, and so will everything on the hard drive!!!
I would NOT execute that command unless you are prepared to reload the system!!!
If you do execute the command, that is exactly what you will end up doing!

In the beginning there was the command line.

#4 Budapest

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Posted 21 October 2010 - 05:56 PM

skymaster191, on 21 October 2010 - 04:12 PM, said:

How do I permanently erase deleted files from empty hard drive space on Windows XP, without buying software? Can this be done through command prompt?

Eraser can do this. I'm not sure about using the command prompt.

_{The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who haven't got it.

—George Bernard Shaw}

#5 Eyesee

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Posted 21 October 2010 - 06:14 PM

You said you want to "erase deleted files from empty hard drive space on Windows XP.
Not erase the entire hard drive right?

Please clarify and explain further

In the beginning there was the command line.

#6 skymaster191

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Posted 21 October 2010 - 07:02 PM

Eyesee, on 21 October 2010 - 06:14 PM, said:

You said you want to "erase deleted files from empty hard drive space on Windows XP.
Not erase the entire hard drive right?

Please clarify and explain further

#7 skymaster191

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Posted 21 October 2010 - 07:05 PM

No. I don't want to erase the entire hard drive. Just deleted files from the empty hard drive space. I believe there might be a command with the word "cypher."

#8 thrillhouse

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Posted 22 October 2010 - 09:44 AM

You don't want to erase the entire hard drive, so don't reformat. You cannot delete anything from empty hard drive space, it's empty, that doesn't make any sense. I don't know what cypher is. Not sure what you are talking about.

#9 skymaster191

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Posted 22 October 2010 - 10:32 AM

thrillhouse, on 22 October 2010 - 09:44 AM, said:

#10 skymaster191

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Posted 22 October 2010 - 10:36 AM

When you delete a file, it's not completely deleted. It can still be retrieved from the hard drive

You can completely erase or overwrite deleted files from the hard drive. There is software for this. But I was wondering if this could be done through the operating system itself

This post has been edited by skymaster191: 22 October 2010 - 10:40 AM

#11 thrillhouse

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Posted 22 October 2010 - 11:26 AM

I read you. I doubt it, I have always used HDD Low Level Format Tool or ERD Disk Wipe. The latter implements the US Department of Defense clearing standard DOD 5220.22-M and you can specify how many over passes you want. Both programs are free and ERD is from Microsoft. Hope that helps.

#12 hamluis

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Posted 22 October 2010 - 11:31 AM

You cannot eliminate images of files...from a partition/drive that is currently being used.

To obliterate such, the partition structure must be obliterated or written over.

Data recovery software is often able to recover files/images even when the partition has been reformatted or written over by users.

Louis

EDIT: Pardon, never used Eraser, finally read up on it...seems like Budapest's suggestion was a good one.

This post has been edited by hamluis: 22 October 2010 - 12:10 PM

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