How to delete files on computer

[HiJackThis1.99]

I am giving away one of my laptops to a friend of mine. It has Windows Vista operating system. In good condition but I do not need it (as I have replaced it by an ultra-powerful Alienware gaming laptop!).

The other person is of course trustworthy but just to be safe I want to get rid of personal files from my computer. I have some straight and gay porn ( I am bi ), I have some games, I have some personal information.

I can simply delete all of that. But I know that it is not really gone from the computer as it is still hidden in the harddisk in some way. How can I delete files completely while preserving the operating system so that he can use the computer just as it was before?

 

[WinXPert]

Select all files for deletion and press {shift-del}

DL and launch CCleaner, Run CCleaner to get rid of temps, then at the Tools Tab select Driver Wiper
Wipe free spaces only
Simple overwite 1 pass
Check the drives you want wiped
Click Wipe

 

[SNGX1275]

There is a program called Eraser that will integrate with Explorer. Then you can right click and delete with eraser - it has a ton of secure wipe options from 1 to 35 passes. If you have gigs of data to be deleted and you need it done within a day I definitely would not choose more than 7 passes. Depending on how many gigs you might only want a 3 pass.

 

[HiJackThis1.99]

Which one is the most secure option, the one WinXPert says or the one with using the program Eraser?

 

[WinXPert]

It's up to you, CCleaner's wipe option is up to 35 passes, and you won't be needing that, 3 passes should be enough. I don't use Eraser but since it integrates with Explorer, that may be easier for you to use.

 

[blaacksheep]

You can just create a new user account with administrator priveledges on the machine and then delete your old account telling it to delete the files when asked. That and CCleaner should do it.

 

[HiJackThis1.99]

How do I safely clean the Registry from all its information?
Such as file directories that are no longer present?

 

[WinXPert]

Run CCleaner. Click Registry | Scan for Issues | Fix selected issues... | No | Fix all issues | Close
Repeat above until all errors are resolved.

/edit/

Before running CCleaner,

at the Cleaner | Windows | Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer and System tab | check all boxes.
at the Advanced tab | check Old Prefetch data and Menu order Cache
at the Applications tab, check all boxes

then run cleaner

or you can use AFT (google for link)