I've just made an interesting discovery about my Word 2007, Windows Explorer, and Asstr.org.
I used to be able to easily delete files in Word, and I could easily find the file path. Now, I can't. I also used to be able to locate files very easily in Windows Explorer, and now I notice that there are some files that I can see In "Recent Documents" in Word 2007 that I can not find with Windows Explorer, and that leads me to suspect that they are in actuality "Links" to those files. I have opened a couple of them and watched Word, go to the internet and download those files from ASSTR.org.
So, for the time being, I can not delete these, "pseudo files". Most professionals will tell you that the only way you can truly delete a file is to use some really sophisticated software to do a DOD erase, but then it could really still be there for some really smart people. So, really the only way you can delete a file is to get a new hard drive and even then, it is probably still in existence out there on the net somewhere.
I am not very worried about all this. I am sure that if Big Brother thought I was a threat, or something, they'd be doing something. The loss of control, so it is right in my face is irritating though.
Gwen
Comments
There is another way...
OK, so the only way you can really eliminate all traces of a file is to completely and utterly overwrite it - or destroy the hard drive.
But for casual cleaning up of clutter (like the MRU lists, Recent Documents, temporary files and suchlike) there are numerous freeware tools you can download. CCleaner's pretty good and often finds its way onto the "Recommended" section of freeware sites as well as computer magazine CDs/DVDs. It will also clear out clutter (like history, cache, temporary files, download history) from the top five web browsers (IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera). It also has a very small footprint and is very easy to use.
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
deleting files
When deleting files in windows the best way if you want them permanently gone but without using DOD methods is hold the shift key while pressing the delete key. In windows this is called a permanent delete and it is not sent to the recycle bin. As far as word goes in addition check the options menu in word to see if backup files are created. If they are created then you need to delete them using shift+delete combo to delete them. If you upload them using a browser to the net then make sure you clear your browser cache also stores a copy there also. This is why windows is known as ever growing operating system. I have seen windows cache files exceed 100gb which is ridiculous.
Hugs,
Jenna From FL
Moderator/Editor
TopShelf BigCloset
Hugs,
Jenna From FL
Moderator/Editor
TopShelf BigCloset
It is a long road ahead but I will finally become who I should be.
Windows Cache files
Really annoying is when the VSS (volume shadowcopy service) takes almost 600 GB out of a 2 TB drive...
But onto the matter of Gwen's files: MS SysInternals has a free tool named SDelete that securely deletes and overwrites local files, although she needs to remove the mru list or at least edit it, which means either editing the registry or finding a utility to do it.
Gwen, hope this helps
Hugs
Diana
Why no "Delete"
It seems really strange to me that MS Office would have a version of Word 2007 out with the delete capability absent. What is the objective of that?
Gwen
Computer insanity!
Apparently I have not made myself clear. The older versions of Ms Word allowed a file to be deleted, by simply using a "File/delete" command. Now in the old days, when a file was deleted, actually what happened is that the first letter or two of the file name were deleted and to the operator, the file was gone.
We actually knew it was not gone, but at least it was in a place where we could ignore it.
In the mid 80's I could often go undelete a file by finding it and putting those letters back. There used to be a neat utility made by a company in Central Point, Oregon that let you do all that stuff.
Well, as the years have worn on, I have had less and less interested in BDSM software writing, and sort of left it all to steam off into the night. I just can't understand why this ability could be dropped? What do you do with old files that you don't want anymore?
I don't understand, what am I missing?
Gwen
http://help.lockergnome.com/office/DELETE-FILES-MS-OFFICE-WO...
The files in Word's or the
The files in Word's or the start button's Recent Documents are only links, the links remain if the original file is deleted. From XP on any file can be deleted (sent to the Recycle Bin) from any file list window in any program. Simply right click the file and choose delete.