I know that files are not permanently deleted, and I'm getting ticked because despite having so much space on my C drive, my computer just is acting too slow, so I want to know how to permanently get rid of files.

So let's say I have a folder on the desktop named abc and inside, there is a file called zoolander.mpg
What would I type in the command prompt to get rid of it using Cipher (I THINK it does a perma delete, please help me clarify)

Thank you in advanced~

You are correct. Windows does not actually delete files, however they get overwritten eventually.

Here is a Microsoft Knowledge Base, on how to properly use it. It's pretty straightforward, but a techie here might be able to assist you if you need help.

Using your example, I believe it would look like this:
cipher /w:C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Desktop\abc

It doesn't permanently delete something, it overwrites already deleted files; clearing already free space...


Anyways, I don't believe space is the issue. How much RAM do you have installed? 512mb is minimum for XP. 1gb is great.

If I were you, I would leave the files be.. I don't think their doing any harm.

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,...escription.html
You could use Cipher, or this free utility. It will make sure that your file is overwritten so well, that it is beyond recovery.

So windows eventually automatically overwrites files to the point you can't recover them?

Please download CPUz from my signature below

1: Save it to your desktop.
2: Click on the icon it creates and let it run
3: I need the following information from it.
4: First click on the Mainboard tab at the top of the window and give me Manufacturer and Model number it shows
5: Cllick on the Memory tab and give me the Type and Size of memory it shows.
6: Click on the SPD tab and get me the Max Bandwidth line information.

Lets take a look at the hard drive and see what you have.

Go to
1: Start
2: My Computer
3: Right Click on "C" drive
4: Click on Properties
5: In this field it will tell you total drive space and also free space



Please include results in your next reply

Over time, data is written to where the original file was. This data will make the file much harder to recover over time. Once a file is deleted, Windows will overwrite it once, but most recovery programs will be able to find traces of the file and put the back together. With time though, more data is written over the file you want to recover, and those pieces are harder to find and piece together.

Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Model: 0CG815
Type: DDR2
Size: 1024 MBytes
Max Bandwidth: PC2-3200 (200 MHz)

Total Drive Space: 74.4 GB
Free Drive Space: 54.0 GB