Hidden personal info in Windows

[Viking]

Did you know? When you think you have cleaned up, there is still a ton of hidden info left. In places you can not reach with Windows Explorer!
You don't use Windows? Congratulations. But if you use it, or if you are curious, read the article behind this controversial address:

http://www.****microsoft.com/content/ms-hidden-files.shtml

[Viking]

Nope, they don't show even if you turn on "show hidden...". Not THESE files. They can not be accessed or deleted by Windows Explorer or Internet Explorer. The only way is by DOS, if you know exactly where they are. You can't even find them by executing the "DIR" command... :inquisitive:

And the reason to delete them is not so much privacy. Just doing a virus scan take alot more time when there is thousands of old files to search. (And yes, just doing a normal delete doesn't actually remove them).

I personally don't bother so much deleting that junk, but it's still interesting to know about it.

[Viking]

I run XP with SP1.
I admit that I have not tried to find those files on my pc, I just assumed the article was right also about XP.

I couldn't resist to dig up some more info, and I found that the article "probably" don't apply for XP. So you're most likely right, Vincent. The article apply more to older Win versions, take a look at this forum.


We shouldn't fear that MS plan to take over the world... they did long ago. An old melody comes across my mind:

He's got the whole wide world,
In His hands,
He's got the Win and the drain,
In His hands,
He's got the every little bug,
In His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.

Mr Gates, I dedicate it to you  :-D

Edit: I just had to edit the song

[Viking]

In some cases data can be restored on a formatted disk. Also if the disk have been overwritten with 0's and 1's several times.
For the paranoid user, there is only one secure way. The disk has to be removed and annihilated.
(If you consider to do this I'll suggest that you call your doc  :-D )