Securely deleting files

I am selling my old PC to a neighbour and have already deleted all data files by simply using the Recycle Bin. I am only leaving Windows XP on the machine and would prefer to completely remove all traces of the data I have deleted, even though the chances of my neighbour discovering a way to undelete them would be extremely slim.
Can anyone recommend a software (free if poss) that will do the job?

 

Many thanks. Not sure if they will be able to eradicate traces of files I have already deleted manually but I'll take a look.

 

To add a bit of explanation to Steves statement;

"... when you 'delete' something on windows the space it occupied is then classified as 'free' space ..."

but the data is still resident in that space until that space is overwritten. Deleting just changes the first character of the file (usually to a $ or #), and lists the remaining space of the file on the media as "free" in the FAT. (File Allocation Tables - there's two).

So doing as Steve suggested is the way to go. It would take expensive forensics (or access to programs used for such) to retrieve the data once a secure "wipe" has been performed.

 

>> I am selling my old PC to a neighbour and have already deleted all data files by simply using the Recycle Bin. I am only leaving Windows XP on the machine and would prefer to completely remove all traces of the data I have deleted. Can anyone recommend a software (free if poss) that will do the job? Franco50 <<

You could also use the freeware program called Disk Redactor which is a "wipe utility" that allows computer users to securely erase any old files and prevent them from being recovered. The program will not delete any of your existing files; it only wipes files that have already been deleted.

All private and/or possibly sensitive (previously deleted) insecurely erased information will be wiped from free unused space on your drives to ensure complete data destruction. Additionally, all of this "free space" on your hard disk will be wiped clean.

How to use Disk Redactor:

1). Run Disk Redactor
2). Use the Wipe Disk button to select the disk you wish to wipe (erase deleted files) and then...
3). Answer "Yes" to confirm.
4). Wait until the progress bar reaches 100%

Side Note: Since wipe utilities can take some time to thoroughly and completely wipe clean the entire drive; you might want to start the process at night just before you go to bed and then it's all done when you wake up in the morning.

Good Luck!

 

My personal fav: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Dariks_Boot_and_Nuke_d4596.html

 

Thanks for the answers guys. I'll go along with one of Steve_East's suggestions. I know that I should have used one of these programs from the outset but that's hindsight for you!

Cheers