Is there any good, free software for deleting files thoroughly, such that they are unrecoverable? Ideally it should follow some standard for deletion; at the least it should write over it with random bits or something.

I know there is one program called BCWipe that you can install and it lets you right click on a file and delete it. Unfortunately it only works for 30 days so it's not freeware.

Eraser

http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/

Zilla Data-Nuker

http://www.zillasoft.ws/

Thanks a lot, Eraser seems to work great.

Unfortunately Zila Data-Nuker is a 15-day trial. Also there website is bloated and slow. Blechh...

Hmm, the zilla data-nuker I have is free version.

http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/Zilla-Data-...2-10320324.html

But Eraser is better anyway, thats why I put it first.

You can actually make your own little 'program' for erasing. Just a little thing I made for fun

Just copy paste this in notepad and save it as (All Files) erase.bat

ren %1 §
echo ................................................................ > §
del §

Now copy erase.bat to your windows folder so that it will run anywhere. And you can further add it to your right click menu by applying this .reg file (copy paste to notepad, save as something.reg)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Erase\command]
@="\"C:\\WINDOWS\\erase.bat\" \"%1\""

Now this ain't going to protect you from the FBI , but atleast it protect ur privacy quickly

personally i use PGP Desktop from www.pgpi.com, and i like it. not only does it adhere to the DoD standards, but you can use it for almost all your security needs...

PGP does drives, files, floppies, whatever you want, and it can do it auto... its free and open source as well, although, if you want PGP Disk, you do have to pay(though im not sure its possible anymore NAI was doing something to it back in 2001...)

Thanks for the tips but will any of these work for a file that will not let you delete? "Access denied".

Internet-optimizer - I contacted the company twice - received the same auto response each time - to use the Add/Remove feature. I did but their optimizer.exe file remains and I cannot delete it. They offer no additional support - no phone, nothing.

Please advise.

Thank you - Jane

Simple File Shredder

and KillBox are good freeware standalone applications

http://standalone.atspace.org/Cleanup.html

CHECK THIS SECTION

I use East-Tec Eraser 2005. The GUI is kind of heavy and it isn't free, but it has such secure methods of file-wiping and so many applications and registry entries integrated that I can't do without it for security of file deletion. I'd use Eraser v5.7 (which is awesomely lite) but I don't know how to add in registry entries to my own "delete list". Plus, it takes longer to wipe files than ETE2005 does, but it's so lite that I'd use it if, as I said, I could put in reg entries. If I knew that, I'd switch instantly.

If its a trivial file (ie you dont need secure deletion), you can use my program ForceDelete. Just run ForceDelete and try to delete the locked file. ForceDelete will intercept your attempt and delete the file for you.

If you want to securely delete the file, but its locked, then you can use Unlocker first to unlock the file; then you can wipe it with any of the above programs.

Locked files? Can you explain? Do you mean, for example, the index.dat files that are always in use unless in Safe Mode?

This is a good post - thank you everyone - I'll make a list and try a few of your suggestions.

either that, or use the freeware program 'WhoLockMe' to figure out which process has locked the file, then kill that process, and do what you wish...

@dexter ty for that erase.bat code btw i do use cyberscrub quite gud if u r newbie into this thing then try tuneup 2004

I use East-Tec Eraser 2005. The GUI is kind of heavy and it isn't free, but it has such secure methods of file-wiping and so many applications and registry entries integrated that I can't do without it for security of file deletion. I'd use Eraser v5.7 (which is awesomely lite) but I don't know how to add in registry entries to my own "delete list". Plus, it takes longer to wipe files than ETE2005 does, but it's so lite that I'd use it if, as I said, I could put in reg entries. If I knew that, I'd switch instantly.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Anyone know how to erase parts of the registry manually (8-pass wipe method)?