CCleaner: Safely delete free space - what does that mean?

The function in CCleaner is to safely delete the free memory. This will permanently remove your data, which is useful, for example, when selling a hard drive. This practical tip shows you exactly what is behind the delete method and how to use the function correctly.

CCleaner: Make deleted files and programs unrecoverable

If you delete a file under Windows, it is not really destroyed. Windows just hides the file and frees the space for overwriting. The files can therefore be restored using special recovery programs. However, CCleaner can overwrite this free space and make it impossible to restore the deleted files on your hard drive.

• The function for secure deletion can be found in the CCleaner under "Extras"> "Hard disk wiper".
• Using the dropdown menu, you can set different deletion methods from simple overwriting (1x) to very complex overwriting (35x).
• Easy overwrite: Deleted files that are in free storage are overwritten only once. Often they can be recovered using recovery programs.
• Extended overwrite: The free memory space is overwritten three times. Restoring is difficult, but is still possible.
• Complex overwriting: The free areas of your hard disk are overwritten seven times. It is now very difficult to recover deleted files. Special programs are already required and take a lot of time.
• Very complex overwriting: CCleaner cleans the free memory 35 times. It is now hardly possible even for professionals with special programs to read deleted files.
• Click the "Delete" button to start the cleanup. Please note: The more times the free memory is overwritten, the more time the process takes.

In the next practical tip you will find out where you can sell your hard drive and still make money. This article applies to CCleaner 5.05 (64-bit) on Windows 8.1.