5 replies to this topic

[Claw]

There are many freeware utilities out there that let you wipe the free space. This will securely erase all trace of everything you have deleted. You also can't recover deleted files once this is done. When doing this Windows also will erase your Restore Points because it believes that you are out of disk space. I understand that the utility fills your disk with 0 value files and then deletes them. Clean disk space , but at the expense of your Restore Points. So before you think you are okay to take a risk , check System Restore first.

[Claw]

Just checked out my original diagnoses,,and I'm right. Lost all my restore points when I wiped free space. No major harm done , but it seems that is definitely removing them,,it was the only thing I ran. Check them before the wipe and they were there. Just had to let someone know.

[James (Jim) Hillier]

Claw, which software are we talking about here mate?

[Claw]

CCleaner,,at least the last 2 versions. I made sure to check Restore Points before and after I wiped free space. I'm pretty sure Windows gets the impression that the disk is full and automaticlly deletes them. That's my take on it, Jim. I read that it overwrites the free space with O's then deletes them.
Again,,that's what I read. You would know better than me, Jim!!!!

[James (Jim) Hillier]

Claw - This can happen when free space is getting low on the hard drive. It isn't actually CCleaner which is clearing the restore points, it's Windows. When you use the wipe feature in CCleaner it is writing a series of naughts to the free space - the higher the level of security you choose the more passes are made and more series of naughts written. Windows sees this as actually using up the free space so compensates by removing restore points in order to free up more space on the drive...hope that makes some sense.

If you use the one pass 'Simple overwrite' option this shouldn't happen - this is the option that should be utilized during normal cleanup operations anyway.

Cheers mate...Jim

[Claw]

Thanks Jim, that's what I figured was happening. My little sister says her husband has used it set on 'Simple overwrite' and it still deleted the points. I'm going to try it on my machine in a day or so myself. I will let you know. Thanks again,,pal!!!!