BleepingComputer.com: How do you permanently erase empty hard drive space on XP

DaChew, on 22 October 2010 - 01:13 PM, said:

Older versions, the one I run, did`t. When did that start.
Another option is CleanUP Gonna cover my tail this time with a disclaimer. I do not know if this version contains any 3rd party software so do not get click happy during the install.
@ Chew, I see you attempt to avoid Net and software that requires it too.

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I like to wait until they get the bugs out?

skymaster191, on 22 October 2010 - 10:36 AM, said:

Not via a specific function for the purpose.

But as DaChew said, if you copy a large amount of data (ie multiple large files) to completely fill the drive, then delete these files, the empty space will then contain the data that was in those files, not what was there previously. The erasure won't be as thorough as DOD erasure, but this basically means expensive (ie multi-thousand dollar) laboratory forensic recovery could possibly recover the previous data, but file recovery software cannot do so.

If the name of the deleted file is significant, this process doesn't remove the evidence of the file having previously existed. Also if the file was small enough to have been stored in the MFT, its contents will likely still be preserved.

So overall, a secure erase program like Eraser is a better way.

This post has been edited by Platypus: 22 October 2010 - 05:07 PM

Hey, thanks very much for your responses everyone

One last suggestion should you decide to go with Eraser or similar program. I always defrag prior to running the program then one more time after running it.

Just one more step, probably not necessary, to rewrite data to where data has been erased from.

Defrag? That's a good idea. My hard drive is overdue for a defrag anyway

It seems the newer version of eraser has a lot of negative reviews?

http://download.cnet.com/Eraser/3000-2092_4-10231814.html

I found an older version?
5.8.8?

This whole thread got me to thinking. I had`t installed it since my last fresh install of XP. Found a 5.7 version that works well.

If you go here > SourceForge and scroll down 5.8 & 5.7 are available.

1. the cipher command has something to do with encryption status of files.
2. i've heard the same thing about 'eraser' as budapest states.
3. i also think chewy's suggestion is a valid one.

ThunderZ, on 22 October 2010 - 08:38 PM, said:

If DOD or Gutmann standard erasure is important, it would be best not to defrag. Immediately following file deletion, the file locations are known to be in free space, so free-space overwrite will shred them. During defrag, fragments of current files could be moved to where the previous files were deleted from. Those locations will only have a single overwrite of the new data, rather than say 35 overwrites with Gutmann.