[SOLVED] "Shredding" free disc space

On my laptop, I have a program installed called "File Shredder", there's not a Windows 7 compatible version. But from another OS, you can check to shred free space on all partitions. It gives you the option to "shred" from one, three, seven and thirty five times. What does this accomplish, and is it bad on the hard drive? Right now, it's "flushing disc buffers". This is only an option of the product, it's primary use is to shred files beyond recognition.

CCleaner has options to do the clean or shred the free space on the hard drives and partitions with the different options of wipe-over.

What free space wipe or shred does is to clean the entire free space of the hard drive and / or partition to completely eliminate any trace(s) of deleted files, folders, etc.

However shredding is only needed on files you don't want placed in someone else's hands. There is no need in the common person frequently shredding the whole drive or shredding every file.

On my desktop, I don't delete every file in such a manner, but I do things with my laptop that I wouldn't do on my desktop, anyway. I try new things, run multible programs at once for long periods of time, trying to make it crash. I know that Nibiru doesn't like Dell products, but this one has been through sheer hell and still runs fine. Better yet, it's still under warranty. But I was wondering about the claims of this program, because I've already shredded the free space four times, using the Guttman method, yet I'm still able to find deleted files on it. I suppose nothing will buff everything from a drive totally.

That is your prerogative, but it is not necessary as c_c stated. At best the 3 wipe D.O.D method is more than sufficient to completely eliminate traces of old files, folders, etc. Unless you're completely paranoid about the N.S.A. coming to take all your drives and use electron microscopes to analyse the platters, then the Guttman method will do the trick.

I believe the point that c_c and myself are trying to make is that what you are doing is overkill to say the least! In addition, you're stressing your hard drives and this will make them wear out sooner.

The bold is my emphasis to point out what I have been stating.

Catilley - I appreciate your concern for security and such, but what you're doing is not necessary by any stretch of the need to "securely delete" files, folder, etc.

Thanks Niburu!
I too was wondering what that feature did when I was exploring CCleaner for the first time...

Cheers,
Fire Cat

It's a good feature, but when running it, you do have to watch it, especially when it reaches 85% or so. After that, it will begin to delete your restore points. So if you do use the function, and it runs to 100%, all of your restore points are gone. I know this firsthand. Sometimes, when you're approaching 100%, your disc warning light will flicker, and you'll get a warning that your disc is full. So for safety's sake, stop it around 85%.

Thanks cat!
Yep, I did notice that my HD was suddenly filling up, with 52% = 53 GB ( I have 100GB free space). That freeked me out a bit, so I stopped it there.
Anyway, that problem I had with windows not booting deleted all my system restore points, so nothing would have happened anyway.

Cheers,
Fire Cat

I don't know why the program doesn't stop on it's on, but the same happened to you that it did to me. CCleaner is normally a very safe program to use, but some of these optional functions (like the disc wiper & registry cleaner), you have to watch it. And if you do use their registry cleaner, it offers you the chance to backup first. It's wise to do so, it will store the file in your documents (or whatever place you choose). If you happen to need it, you can open the file and select "Merge", and it will be restored to it's original place(s).

The program is not filling up space, it's just rewriting the free space. Your free space doesn't change; it's just cleaned that all.

What you're seeing is a progress meter or bar, that's all.