How to completely delete files

[banana]

I want to make sure I have completely deleted program files from my computer. I used add/remove programs to get rid of them but when I do a search the files can still be found. Is just deleting to the Norton protected recycle bin okay? Or is there another -better method i can try?

[stoo_pid]

when you uninstall a program various folders, files etc are often left behind on the PC. If you're certain the prog has been completely uninstalled & you no longer need those folders then just delete the relevant items. If you want to be more thorough empty your recycle bin afterwards. If you're not sure whether you should delete a particular file/folder then generally speaking, the best option is to leave it where it is.

[booksworth]

How paranoid are you about this? _Nothing_ is ever deleted from a PC hard disk until something else is saved over it. The data is still there: all that deletion ever does is remove the reference to the file in the FAT or the MFT. You may also need to dig things out of the registry to completely cover your tracks, since these are programs. Not a very helpful answer, I'm afraid.

[trojan10_om]

some ones got the ol' porno stuck on their computer

[banana]

Looks like I have to bite the bullet .Not porn actually -just a program I have on trial and dont want to have to buy.Tried deleting and reinstalling a new trial but the wily programmers have got my number.Rats!

[stoo_pid]

The file that tells your software that your trial period is over will be somewhere else on your PC, probably somewhere in the System folder, with possibly even an entry on the registry.  As you've discovered uninstalling & reinstalling won't make any difference even if you've completely deleted all the obvious program folders.  You would have to know precisely which file it is to be able to delete it.  Whatever you do, don't try & guess which one it is - that could cost you a lot more than the price of paying for the software.

The only thing you could try is to change the system date on your PC (backdate it to a date before you first installed the program).  Don't be surprised if they haven't already thought of that though...

[jonelless]

have a look at ''Evidence Blaster''