[tatumcpa]

I have google desktop search, i can find anything on there.

My question is when i delete files, where do they go?

These files are obviously still on my computer and taking up space, how do i delete files and get rid of them off of my computer forever?

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Depends on the Delete Utility used when you delete files. Some will delete files to the Recycle Bin, others will delete files by setting File Allocation Table for the sector(s) so the files can be later written over. If you wish to clean your HD:

Disk CleanupYou can use Disk Cleanup to free up space on your hard disk by removing temporary Internet files, removing installed components and programs that you no longer use, and emptying the Recycle Bin.

To start using Disk Cleanup, do any of the following:

Open Disk Cleanup.
Open Disk Cleanup Help.


Removing unneeded filesWhen running an operating system as complex as Windows, you may not always know the significance of all the files on your computer. Sometimes Windows uses files for a specific purpose and then retains them in a folder designated for temporary files. Alternatively, you may have previously installed Windows components that you are no longer using. For a variety of reasons, including running out of space on your hard drive, you may want to reduce the number of files on your disk, or create more free space, if it can be done without harming any of your programs.

Use the Windows Disk Cleanup Wizard to perform all of the following tasks to clear space on your hard disk:

Remove temporary Internet files.
Remove any downloaded program files (ActiveX controls and Java applets downloaded from the Internet).
Empty the Recycle Bin.
Remove Windows temporary files.
Remove Windows components that you are not using.
Remove installed programs that you no longer use.
Note

To start Disk Cleanup, click Start, click Run, and then type cleanmgr.

HTHs,

Ron

[Major Payne]

Depends on the Delete Utility used when you delete files. Some will delete files to the Recycle Bin, others will delete files by setting File Allocation Table for the sector(s) so the files can be later written over. If you wish to clean your HD:

Disk CleanupYou can use Disk Cleanup to free up space on your hard disk by removing temporary Internet files, removing installed components and programs that you no longer use, and emptying the Recycle Bin.

To start using Disk Cleanup, do any of the following:

Open Disk Cleanup.
Open Disk Cleanup Help.


Removing unneeded filesWhen running an operating system as complex as Windows, you may not always know the significance of all the files on your computer. Sometimes Windows uses files for a specific purpose and then retains them in a folder designated for temporary files. Alternatively, you may have previously installed Windows components that you are no longer using. For a variety of reasons, including running out of space on your hard drive, you may want to reduce the number of files on your disk, or create more free space, if it can be done without harming any of your programs.

Use the Windows Disk Cleanup Wizard to perform all of the following tasks to clear space on your hard disk:

Remove temporary Internet files.
Remove any downloaded program files (ActiveX controls and Java applets downloaded from the Internet).
Empty the Recycle Bin.
Remove Windows temporary files.
Remove Windows components that you are not using.
Remove installed programs that you no longer use.
Note

To start Disk Cleanup, click Start, click Run, and then type cleanmgr.

HTHs,

Ron