Are files ever truly deleted?

When you permanently delete a file, the storage drive makes its space available for new data. However, the file is not deleted. It remains on the hard drive; only the file pointers get deleted. (The File pointer shows you where the file exists and keeps track of it being accessed.)

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Where do permanently deleted files go?

When you delete a file from your computer, it moves to the Windows Recycle Bin. You empty the Recycle Bin and the file is permanently erased from the hard drive. ... Instead, the space on the disk that was occupied by the deleted data is "deallocated."

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Can deleted files ever be recovered?

Can files be recovered once deleted? Yes, files can be recovered after being deleted. The level of difficulty depends on how long ago the file was deleted, however, and you may need to use specialized tools if trying to recover data that has been corrupted.

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Can forensics recover deleted files?

Data recovery and forensics software can recover deleted files (on Windows/NTFS) by looking for entries in the file table that have not been overwritten. If the entries are still in place, they will show the locations where the file was stored.

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Can I recover deleted files from 2 years ago?

So, can old deleted files be recovered on Samsung, LG, Huawei, Motorola, or other Android devices? The answer will be absolutely YES if you've backed up the years ago deleted files and the backups are still accessible. You can simply restore files deleted from Android 2 years ago or even longer.

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Where Do Deleted Files Go?

20 related questions found

How do I permanently delete files forever?

Select the file you want to permanently delete and press Shift + Delete together. Windows will ask you to confirm. Click Yes. When you delete files through keyboard shortcuts, the entire “Recycle Bin” step is skipped.

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How long does deleted files last?

Files in trash will be automatically deleted after 30 days. You can restore files from your trash before the 30-day time window. You can also permanently delete them to empty your trash. If you delete, restore, or permanently delete multiple files or folders at once, it might take time for you to notice the changes.

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Are deleted files ever completely removed Why or why not?

Even if you immediately empty the Recycle Bin or Trash folder, all your deletion does is earmark the space that file takes up on your hard drive as vacant. Until another file or application comes along to make use of that room, the old data will remain.

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Can a hacker see my deleted photos?

You can only retrieve the data from Google Drive if you factory reset the Android. Hence, a hacker intending to access your deleted photos backed up on Google Drive can factory reset the Android. After factory resetting the phone, he can easily access and misuse your deleted photos.

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Can hackers see your deleted search history?

In technical terms, your deleted browsing history can be recovered by unauthorized parties, even after you cleared them. Why is it so? Let's explore how Windows deletes confidential information and you'll know the answer in a short while. But first, let's have a look at what browsing history actually is.

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How do you delete a file permanently and make it unrecoverable?

In Windows Explorer, click on the file to select and press the Shift+Delete key on your keyboard. Now, you'll see a popup asking whether you want to delete the files permanently or not. Select Yes on the popup, and the file will be permanently deleted and won't go to the recycle bin.

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Are downloads gone forever if you delete them?

Deleting downloads is permanent

Only delete files when you won't need them later.

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How do I permanently delete files after emptying the Recycle Bin?

2. Permanently Delete Recycle Bin on Windows 10 Using Settings
  1. If you are using Windows 10, go to "Settings" > "System" > "Storage".
  2. Then, select "This PC" and click on "Temporary files". In the new window find and click the option "Empty recycle bin".
  3. Press Delete to confirm.

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Can you permanently delete files stored in the cloud?

You can delete files you no longer want to store in iCloud Drive. Important: When you delete a file from iCloud Drive on iCloud.com, it's also deleted from all your devices that have iCloud Drive turned on.

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How does permanently deleting files work?

When you delete a file, the operating system marks the area where that data resides on the hard drive disk (HDD) as available, and logistically removes it from the file tree structure. The magnetic data still resides on the disk, but the pathway to accessing the data has been removed from the operating system.

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How do I permanently delete downloads from my computer?

How to select or highlight multiple files and folders.
  1. Press Delete to send the files to the Recycle Bin.
  2. To permanently delete the files, right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin in the drop-down menu that appears.

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Are downloads permanent?

While there is not a hard-and-fast rule for how different companies use these terms, in general, a download is a permanent copy, a cache is a temporary copy and a stream is only copied as it is used. To download the data means to have a permanent copy. The full data is kept on a local device.

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When you delete a video is it gone forever?

If you delete a photo or video that's backed up in Google Photos, it will stay in your trash for 60 days. If you delete an item from your Android 11 and up device without it being backed up, it will stay in your trash for 30 days.

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Can data be recovered after a factory reset?

To recover data after factory reset Android, navigate to the "Backup and Restore" section under "Settings." Now, look for the "Restore" option, and choose the backup file you created before resetting your Android phone. Select the file and restore all of your data.

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Which makes data unrecoverable after removing?

To answer you question generally, residue purging and physical destruction will make your data irrecoverable, the specific processes required to do this will depend on the storage medium.

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How do I make a file impossible to delete?

Deny Security Permission to Make Files Undeletable. Right-click the file or document on your PC > choose "Properties". In Security, tab "Edit" to change permission > select "Add and enter Everyone". Press "OK" and select the group to change Full control permission to Deny.

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Is it better to delete or clear history?

In order to be as safe as possible online, it is necessary to delete your search history frequently. Failing to do so makes it much easier for hackers to collect enough of your personal information to scam and deceive you.

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Can anyone see my history after I delete it?

Deleting and disabling your history does NOT make you invisible to Google. If you delete and disable your search history, you are not invisible to Google—especially if you maintain an account for using various Google apps and services, such as Gmail and YouTube.

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Can my wife see my Internet history?

If you're not careful, almost anyone can see your internet activity. Wi-Fi admins can see your activity through router logs, while websites, apps, ISPs, search engines, and advertisers all have means of tracking what you do online. Your devices and browsers keep records of what you do on them too.

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Can someone see what I'm looking at on my phone?

Long story short: yes, someone can monitor your phone to keep tabs on all your activities. This includes phone calls, texts, browser activity, photos, videos, apps, and more. This is often done via spyware, a form of malware designed for monitoring a device's activity remotely.

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