Windows Live Gallery

[trish1234567]

I have just purchased a brand new computer and I am in the process of attempting to clear all information off the old one.

However, I happened to view one of my photographs on Windows Live Gallery by accident (because I never use this programme) and was horrified to see every single picture I have ever downloaded on this computer together with scanned copies of correspondence and bills, etc. dating back to 1999. The whole Windows Live Gallery resembled the Picaso 3 format except that each item was itemised with the actual day, month and the year downloaded. Obviously I don’t what this stuff out there, I already worry about Google seeming to know everything!

What puzzles me is that I was confident that I had removed all from my document and picture files onto an external disk. Should I format the C drive? What is the correct procedure for clearing personal stuff from a PC? Any help please!

[AlBags]

Format the drive .. or shred the spare space with Eraser ..
http://eraser.heidi.ie/

[trish1234567]

Thanks Albags. I knew one of you regular techies would know the answer. Didn't know about 'eraser' - that seems to be the anwer!

[LeMarchand]

Did you MOVE it to another disk, or COPY it? The latter leaves the data in place.

Formatting the disk will leave the computer unusable (until you reinstall Windows) and the data may still be recoverable by anyone who really wanted to try. Using something like Eraser to wipe the entire disk before re-installation would make it VERY difficult to recover data. Best way to be sure is physical destruction of the disk.