can someone explain where the data goes to when I delete data from my PC?
413945
It does not really go away. Inside your hard disk is a special file (you can't see or locate it) called a file allocation table. That tells the computer where the different files are stored on the hard drive. So when you ask the computer to open the file called "MyResume.doc" it knows which part of the hard drive to get it from. When you delete a file, the entry in the file allocation table that tells the computer where that file is, is deleted. The data is still there. You can get it back sometimes--- there is special software such as Norton Undelete (Symantec owns them now) that you can put on your computer IN ADVANCE so you can get your file back if you accidentally delete it, and forensic services that will help you get your data back if you need it bad enough to pay for it. Short of formatting the drive (erasing everything in a special way) though, the data is still there.   The only way you can get rid of it all the way is to 1. buy special security software 2. format the hard drive 3. destroy the hard drive all together.
61070
When you erase something, you flag the directory entry that "this is deleted".  The data itself is still there until you use the disk space for something else. \n\nFiles are stored in chains of clusters. The chain of clusters of data from that file is added to the list of "free space" clusters. When you write enough new files, you may get to and overwrite that data. "Eraser" programs fill that freespace with garbage.\n\nA disk consists of one or more platters, with concentric (not spiral!) tracks of data written like tape recordings in blocks (clusters are groups of blocks, usually lined up from several platters). There's also a theory that the heads can wander, and although the data track is written over, there may be remains of the old recording on one side or the other of the track which have the old data track still on them. A high tech lab might be able to read this side data and get some information. (I have never seen this actually done for any court case in the news, but who knows?). Thus, good eraser programs will overwrite data several times to ensure that everything is pretty much gone.\n\nIf a file isn't exactly the same size as x clusters, even the leftover bit at the end of the cluster might have some remnant data from previous use. Good erase programs can also do "cluster tips" (and blank out deleted directory entries, so you can't read the names of deleted files).\n\nAlso, when you visit a web site, the history is kept in IE's "history"; see the icon that looks like a clock with an arrow... The files downlaoded are kept in "cache" (Tools - Internet Options- Settings - View Files) so when you return, or go "back", the same file doesn't have to be downloaded all over again. This is from the good old days of modems, when downloading even a small graphic could take forever... And of course, all this is stamped with the date and time it was written, and on an XP NTFS disk, the userid that wrote it...\n\nYou also log files you've opened and saved in the "Windows Registry". If you have a program and under "File" see a list of the last few files you've had open with that program - that's stored somewhere, usually the registry.\n\nFrom all this, there's lots of clues what a computer's been used for.
719766
you can restore deleted data by two ways.\n\n.By restoring your pc.\n If you are running any windows  OS you can go to the safe mode which allows access to the restoring of your pc.\n\nIt requires a time and date.\nUsually you get to restore all data that would have been created about a 100 hours ago.But if you have installed any software after the restored time you will lose it.Better make  backup.\n\n.By using software.\n\nYou got special software which will allow the restoration of deleted files.\n\nBut nothing must have been installed after the deletion has taken place in your pc.
608059
It does a restore on your system up to the checkpoint that you restore it to. \n\nFor example, if you restore it to last week, you will lose all data and whatever else you had in your folders that you saved this week.\n\nIts not very safe or accurate to do system restore, sometimes there are bugs to it and you may lose all data. \n\nThat is not a stupid question =)
1113575
the software Recover My Files Data Recovery Software can do it:\n\nWhen a file is deleted from a Windows Operating System the contents of the file is rarely destroyed. If the Windows reference information remains intact, Recover My Files reconstructs the link to the deleted file to enable data recovery. Even if the reference information itself has been destroyed, data recovery software scans the storage media at a low level to locate "Lost Files" by their internal file structure. This allows Recover My Files to locate and recover files that other data recovery software programs could never know exist.\n\nFor example, the software Recover My Files data recovery software will quickly and easily recover deleted files emptied from the Windows Recycle Bin, or lost due to the format or corruption of a hard drive, virus or trojan infection, unexpected system shutdown or software failure.
738030
it works like this: when u delete a file windows marks it as "Delete" its really not gone, it just pushes it to the end of the HDD. It can slow your computer down a lot!! If u are not good with computers u will need a software program to find those file for u, it searched each sector of the HDD for file marked "Delete"
61843
if you have been reformated your PC all your files will be DELETED.. so before you reformat your PC make a BACK-UP to those files that are very IMPORTANT to you..
794859
Define "completely deleted"....\n\nIf you simply delete a file, then the area of hard disk that it previously occupied is marked as unoccupied. The data is technically still there.\nIf you _shred_ a file, then the disk space is similarly marked as unused, but first it is overwritten with random nonsense several times, to obliterate any previous data or any signature of the previous data. Generally speaking people only do this when they have particular reason to - most users need not shred anything unless they're totally paranoid.\n\nRawlyn.
195895
If you are just running straight windows, then when you clear out your recylce bin, the files (or rather the pointers to the files) are actually taken out of the file index and that disk space is marked as free.  So while you're delete is in process, it can make your pc seem a bit slower but after it completes, you should be fine.  It's just the extra disk accesses and whatever CPU overhead associated with managing the file index that is slowing you down.  It's temporary.  Just a note, if you have not done so in a long time and you have deleted a bunch of data, (Emptied your recycle bin) you may want to consider de-fragging your hard drive.  Check the Windows help section for details.  It's easy and safe to do.
124632
If you deleted it, it's NOT gone forever.  You can get the data back.  There are companies that specialize in data recovery.  I actually own one.  We can get pretty much anything accidentally deleted back.  If you want to make sure you're data can't be retrieved then check out this free program from http://www.tolvanen.com/eraser/download.shtml\n\nWhen you install it set it to the 35 pass DOD standard.  Let it run for a few days, and your free space will be wiped clean.  The cool part is it adds a feature onto your recycle bin.  If you have files you don't want retrieved, you can right click on the recycle bin and select "erase recycle bin" which will permanentaly remove the data from the drive.\n\nBE CAREFUL WHEN RUNNING THIS PROGRAM!  YOU CAN ACCIDENTALLY ERASE YOUR ENTIRE DRIVE!!!
784450
before deleting data, plz save all ur necessary data.\n\n1. Right click on hard drive. e.g. C:&#92;> and click on "Format"\n2. Mark "Quick Format" and click on "Start" button.\n3. Repeat this process for every drive... thats it... \n\nThis thing u can also do from command Prompt\n\n1. C:&#92;> Format\nthat drive will be formatted\n\n2. apply 1st step for every drive.
180227
As far as Windows is concerned its gone for ever.\n\nThe data still remains on your harddrive after permanent delete. However, Windows deletes it from the harddrive directory and marks that space as 'empty'. So in future windows will use it to write new files (in that case it is permanently gone).\n\nIf no files ever get written on it; certain crude hard drive utilities can still recover that data.\n\nThe best way to remove data PERMANENTLY INDEED is to overwrite the full drive with something like multiple copies of a word document / music file until the drive gets full.
478356
Use an undelete programs like Restoration and PC Inspector File Recovery
81952
a total delete, meaning no one could ever recover the past data is tough.. \nBut to just reload an operating system is easy..  Requires the original CD's or a new Operating system CD like XP.\nwhen it ask's where the data is to be saved, his D for delete and L for being sure.. then enter on the new empty drive.\nEnjoy.
292303
If you do delete them, use a Data Recovery Software (it works if the sectors weren't zeroed or other)
921699
Your question is not clear\nbut assuming you have XP,\nwhen you have registered, system automatically makes a restore\npoint,\njust go to:\nstart menu > program files > system tools > system restore \nand choose " Restore to an earlier time "\nit shows you a time table which you can choose your restoration\ntime.\nBeware that you will lose your recent installed programs but your\ncopied data like mp3s,pictures and so on will not change.
53738
Well, it won't be in the trash bin because it recycles to the hard drive, so unless you want to waste 200 bucks taking it to a technician that will merely use high-tech equipment to restore it, I suggest you just don't bother.\n\nBesides, clearing your history can be good, the less space used on your computer the better!