how do I erase my personal computer files before I recycle on old computer?

Question

I want to get rid of an old computer. Is there a program that will delete my personal info/files before I turn it over to a stranger?

Answer 1

delete everything you want into recycle bin but then use a secure deletion method - ccleaner (www.ccleaner.com) is quite a nice little utility - to delte items from there. You could also try and download a trial version of something like Tune Up Utilities, which has a great secure data deletion application (it's what I use) and then uninstall it before handing it over. Head over to http://www.download.com/TuneUp-Utilities-2008/3000-2094_4-10206416.html and have a look.



Hope this helps

Answer 2

Down load and burn the .iso file to a CD for a program called Dban and boot the computer. This is a secure hard drive erase and wipe program. Once finished you will need to format the drive and install the Windows back on the computer. Using the Factory Default Recovery will return the computer back to the way it was when you bought it and should be alright. Average computer users do not have the knowledge or skills to get information back,so this should be fairly safe. I work on computers, I have programs people don't have and a few that can not be down loaded any more.

Answer 3

You have to perform a "secure delete" to remove information permanently. This is the only real way to erase information off of magnetic media. This works by encrypting the data and deleting it many times over until its nothing more than unreadable code. Shredding is another technique but not nearly as effective. Also. The US Dept of Defense endorse "secure delete" as the only way to permanently remove data. Check out this link.

http://www.delete-computer-history.com/secure-file-deletion.html

Answer 4

My advice use a hammer. Even then some crook will probably be able to find something somewhere on some chip you forgot to smash. Maybe a better idea is to keep it in the basement so you can use the parts to build a space ship after the nukes fly and we are all looking for a way off the planet.

Answer 5

hey listen just format and give your pc away and if you have any files you want scan with a good anti virus then burn it on a dvd or a few cd's but if the stranger wants to see whats in you pc he can by using a restoring program so its impossible to delete in any way so that its 100% safe

Answer 6

Go to this link and download "dban" . Put it on a Cd or Floppy and reboot your computer and fallow instructions. What that program does is overwrite your hard drive so no data can be recovered.OK it takes time-but it's worth it.

Answer 7

You could download ultimate boot cd http://www.ultimatebootcd.com and use the disk wiping tools menu under hard drive tools. This will wipe and overwrite any info on the hard drive. It's better that just deleting files

Answer 8

I Reccomened trying webroot windows washer below are its features one of its main features is deleting an entire OS



Total System Erase

Window Washer can be set to fully erase your hard drive, files, programs and operating system for easy re-formatting. Consider using this feature if you're donating or selling your PC and you don't want your files to be seen by strangers.



Extensive Wash Areas

Window Washer scrubs hundreds of areas on your PC to remove unnecessary files to ensure your privacy and free up valuable disk space.



Browser Activity Eraser

Window Washer cleans all aspects of your browser activity, including Internet history, address bar, cache, cookies, and more. Firefox users now enjoy the same online privacy protection that users of Internet Explorer, AOL and Netscape already enjoy.



Permanent Bleaching

Bleach, an encryption feature, completely overwrites files with random characters to make them unrecoverable. This feature is so powerful it exceeds the tough standards of the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency.



Free Space Cleaner

Free space on your computer contains portions of old and previously deleted files and documents. Window Washer now cleans this area making the files you deleted earlier permanently unrecoverable.



One-click Shredder

Window Washer lets you simply and conveniently shred a folder and all of its contents, or just a single file, in one step. Just a simple right-click will permanently overwrites these files, making them unrecoverable.



Critical File Protection

Window Washer includes built-in safety features to help prevent you from accidentally removing important files. Alerts prompt you to confirm your request to delete special folders, like system folders, My Documents, My Photos, and others, so they remain safe from unintentional deletions.



Smart Cookie Saver

Window Washer deletes the cookies you don't want and lets you keep and save those you do. That way you maintain your preferred Internet settings and log-ins for all your favorite sites.



Flexible Washes

During a wash, Window Washer automatically cleans the latest versions of your favorite programs such as Microsoft Office, Google Search Toolbar, iTunes, Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Acrobat and hundreds more, to keep these programs running smoothly.



Automatic Wash Cycles

You can set Window Washer to automatically clean your system at specified intervals, like at shut down or start up. For added security, we recommend setting Window Washer to wash when you close your Internet browser.



Heres the link to the site:



http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer-products-windowwasher.html#



And heres the download link for a free trial



http://www.webroot.com/shoppingcart/tryme.php?bjpc=4060&vcode=DT01



Hope this is what your after

Answer 9

the best thing to do would be to reformat your computer so go and ask someone who has a VISTA or xp whatever cd and then put it in and go through the process It dose not take very long

Answer 10

I know source of your answer