Free Space Eraser

I use Windows XP SE and Firefox browser. I am trying to find a program that erases "free space" on the hard drive. I have other programs for cleaning and protection, but none erases free space. I have checked out the cleaning programs at this site, but can't seem to find one especially for free space cleaning. I just don't need another full program. Is there such a program out there or what do you suggest? Thanks for any help.
redryder

 

Okay, maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but why in the world would you want to ERASE free space? If you want to do that, simply create files in your free space! That will fill things up, I assure you!

More likely, you want to free UP space, no? If so there are WONDERFUL applications to do this for you.

I'd recommend CCleaner. It does an excellent job of removing temp files, and freeing up the space they occupy.

 

I think what he is looking for is a program that will wipe the freespace, and what I mean by that is...for security reasons, we all know that files do not disappear, the pc basically tells itself to not recognize the deleted file. There was a program put out by norton utilities that would sweep your freespace. they call it a military sweep or something like that. And what it does is takes the free space and code it with 111ooo1o1o1 or such over the deleted files to completely obliterate it. that way if anyone ever got a hold of the hard drive they could not run a program and recover old or deleted files. I also look for the same, Help if possible

 

Norton used to have a program as such, but it did not work with XP if my memory serves me correctly

 

Use the free version http://www.glaryutilities.com/ to wipe free space.

Go to Privacy & Security >> File Shredder >> Hit the Wipe Free Space TAB.

Cheers..

Old thread buy the way...

 

hi you could use a program called Eracer by Heidi. you can wipe free space on your pc (as you no just cos you press delete it doesn't mean its deleted) the program also adds eracer to your context menu (right click) on recycle bin with the choice of 6 cleaning options (1 pass up to 35 passes) it will also erace on boot up for files that don't want to be eraced, and best of all its free from

http://majorgeeks.com/Eraser_d4221.html

 

Yes its an old post but I would like to interject here that there is another reason to wipe free space besides security. When you go to backup your drive, your backup software creates an exact image of the drive or partition, and that includes unerased information in the free space which can drastically increase the size of your saved image. Wiping the free space first, or by writing 0's to it will make it much easier for your backup software to compress the remainder. When I make a backup image of my C drive I first do an uninstall of unneeded apps and a general cleanup and defragmentation then I run nullfile.exe from the root of C to write zero's to the free space of the drive (it will write zero's to what ever drives root you put it in). I can reduce the size of my image by half in many cases if my drive was older and hadn't been backedup in a long time. You can google nullfile.exe and look for the pascal one for windows. All you have to do is put it in the root of the drive, run it and drink fourty gallons of coffee cause with todays large drives it takes a long time.

 

:wave hi i noticed it was an old post too but still very relevant today and as wtdougherty had revitalized it "I also look for the same, Help if possible" i thought i would put my 2 pennys worth in and as Appzalien says you don't want to make a copy of all your deleted junk just to put it all back. for normal personal use then any of the above programs will do the job, but if your donating or selling your PC you might think about DBANing that hard drive and re-formatting with a fresh install of your chosen OS this will put your old data beyond the reach of the mere mortal (but not methinks beyond the reach of a forensic lab) after all its there job to be one step ahead of the bad guys:highfive