How to Permanently Delete Files - Using Windows Secret Built-In Tool

You may or may not know that when you drag items to the trash on your computer, they aren't permanently deleted. Just watch an episode of your favorite CSI show, and you'll see that its possible to recover files that haven't been deleted properly. And while I'm sure you're not guilty of any CSI type crimes (or are you?), I'm sure you want to figure out how to permanently delete your files and keep your private things private -- after all everyone has to have some secrets!

Why emptying your recycling bin doesn't permanently delete your files

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When you tell your computer to empty its recycling bin, your operating system only deletes the records it has of the files you want to delete. Yet the files still remain on the hard drive memory.

Here's an analogy: If you think of your files as books in a library and you decide you no longer have use for a certain book. Emptying the trash is equivalent to removing the entry in the library's card catalog. The book is still there but not easily found by everyday visitors. But if someone really wanted to find it, and had a clue where to look, they quite possibly do so since it is still physically there.

What it means to permanently delete a file

To permanently delete a file, you need to not only delete its record, but also overwrite the physical portion of the hard drive where it lives. A low level format is equivalent to replacing your private file with random bits (1's and 0's). Continuing with the library analogy you need to remove remove the book, shred it, light up in flames and possibly replace it with a different book

A simple way to permanently delete?

According to Microsoft, there is a keyboard shortcut in Windows to, quote, "permanently delete files". You do this by selecting your file and hitting SHIFT+DEL. Convinced? Neither am I. What they're really explaining is a shortcut from having to move the item to the trash and then emptying the trash.

Take it a step further

Here's a poor man's version of permanent deletion. Delete your files, empty your recycle bin, and run Disk Defragmenter located in the Start menu under Accessories/System Tools. What this will do is optimize your hard drive by rearranging (most) of your files, and in doing so will most likely overwrite the files you want permanently deleted. Nice!

Do it right and do it better

While performing a defragmentation will probably do the trick, it's really not a viable solution. Waiting for disk defragmentation is not something I'd do every time I wanted to do a permanent deletion. The defragmentation process is way too long. The right way to how to permanently and quickly delete files is to use a program specifically designed for that purpose. You're in luck too because most Windows operating systems have a command line tool called CIPHER to do the trick!

Here's how to use CIPHER:

1. After closing all windows, open up a command window.

2. Type the following: cipher /w:�driveletter:�foldername where driveletter and foldername correspond to the drive a location of where your deleted file used to live.

3. Sit back and enjoy your freedom and privacy while your file is truly permanently deleted!

Here's an example:

I have a picture I want permanently deleted which stored on my computer at the following location:

C:�images�scandalous_picture.jpg

After deleting this picture and emptying the recycle bin, I would type the following (in a command prompt) to ensure that I can still run for senator (as long as they don't catch me in the airport bathroom):

C:>cipher /w:C:�images

I can then move on to my life of privacy and carefree surfing!

You can do better!

Although I'm comfortable working with the command prompt, you may not be. No worries, there are plenty of other graphical based software tools that perform true permanent file deletion -- not to mention they are much less tedious to use. The review at freedback.org/Reviews/Software/Permanently-Delete-Files.html gives a good overview of some of the most popular graphic-based file deletion software available.

How to Permanently Delete Files - Using Windows Secret Built-In Tool

John Cao is a full-time software engineer that specializes in high performance computing. While spending most of his waking hours in front of a computer, John helps others enhance their computer experience by recommending the latest software, hacks, and shortcuts. Visit freedback.org to read more about permanently deleting files and other tips.

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Secret Article Marketing Tips for Network Marketers

Article marketing tips, the best kept secrets for getting traffic, leads, sales, and new sign ups. A solid marketing plan for network marketing, MLM, or any and all online businesses

Finding The Right Keywords

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One of the most important article marketing tips to remember is the importance of using the right keywords. You must select keywords that are relevant, high traffic keywords, low in competition, and have high commercial value. The best way to accomplish all of these parameters is the use of keyword research tools, either free versions, or paid versions. Free/paid versions of research tools can be found on the Internet by doing a simple search for keyword research tools.

With keyword research you want to get highly targeted traffic, people that are ready to buy, and are searching for the content in your article. You want to choose keywords that also have a fair amount of traffic (no fewer than 100 searches per day) and are not so highly competitive that you can't compete. The goal is to beat out the competition and get your article on the front page of Google. The front page of Google is the Holy Grail for keyword research.

Finding out whether or not your key word has high commercial value can be as simple as doing a Google search for your keyword and noticing whether or not there are paid ads on the right of the page. The more paid ads on the right of the page the higher commercial value of your keyword. The more paid ads the better.

On Page And Off Page Optimization

Other great article marketing tips. On page optimization is essential to ensure that the search engines can access your article and determine its relevant content. To accomplish this using your keyword in the title of your article is a must, also the first and last paragraph of your article, and several times in between the first and last paragraph in the body copy. Also the keyword should be underlined, italicized, bolded, and put in quotes at least once throughout the length of the article.

Off page optimization can be greatly enhanced by submitting your article to high authority web sites for page rank and getting back links to you article. Some high authority websites are, EzineArticles PR 6, Squidoo PR 8. etc., Submitting to these sites gives you page rank over other article marketers using the same keywords.

For back links to your article, the more sites you submit to, such as blogs, forums, and article directories, the more back links you will get. One of the most important "article marketing tips" is, all other things being equal, he who gets the most back links wins the article marketing game.

Article Marketing Tools

Tools are a must if you don't want to spend most of your waking hours finding the best keywords, submitting articles, and getting back links, the more tools you have the less work you do to get these back links. You can find quite a few free tools on the net with a simple Google search for the tool that will perform the function which you are trying to achieve. If you have a small budget you can also purchase tools to automate the repetitive work of back linking. I would suggest using the free tools before buying anything. as you need to have the knowledge of what you are looking for in a tool before you lay out your hard earned money. Tools can help you automate most of the repetitive work, and free you up to do the more important work of creating informative, helpful articles that draw people to your site or business.

Be Consistent

One of the last "article marketing tips" is; stay consistent. Don't be disappointed if you don't see results immediately, expect to have a lag of 2 to 3 weeks before you see results after posting your article. Write and post articles daily, if possible, or at least several times per week. The fruit of your work will multiply over time, and once you are out on the search engines there is a cumulative effect to the amount of leads you will receive. The secret to article marketing is longevity, articles exist in perpetuity, and the great thing is, unlike paid advertising, the cost of these leads is next to nil.

Secret Article Marketing Tips for Network Marketers

Article marketing tips can ad many leads, sales, traffic, and sign ups to your business. Depending on the number of articles you write, you can ad hundreds of leads per day with well written, hard hitting, informative articles. The sky is literally the limit when it comes to article marketing leads. Insure your spot as a top earner in your network marketing, MLM, affiliate marketing business with the wealth of information and training provided at My Lead System Pro. Start today with an article marketing plan and virtually insure an endless stream of free targeted leads for your business for years to come.

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