News

Utility Makes Sure 'Deleted' Files Really Are

German utility firm 1-abc.net announced it is shipping a new product aimed at making sure that files you delete stay deleted.

File Washer 1.0 provides eight different ways to delete files, all of which start by actually overwriting the old file before removing it, according to a statement from Oldenburg, Germany-based 1-abc.net.

One way, known as the “Gutman Method,” overwrites the file data 35 times. An additional feature lets you overwrite deleted files with another file so that any recovery attempts yield only the replacement file, not the originally-deleted files.

The utility works on hard drives, floppy disks and USB memory sticks. It can be installed on memory sticks, floppy disks and virtually any other rewriteable media.

File Washer 1.0 costs $14.95 and runs on Windows 2000 and Windows XP. The download is 101 KB.

About the Author

Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.

Featured

  • Report: Cost, Sustainability Drive DaaS Adoption Beyond Remote Work

    Gartner's 2025 Magic Quadrant for Desktop as a Service reveals that while secure remote access remains a key driver of DaaS adoption, a growing number of deployments now focus on broader efficiency goals.

  • Windows 365 Reserve, Microsoft's Cloud PC Rental Service, Hits Preview

    Microsoft has launched a limited public preview of its new "Windows 365 Reserve" service, which lets organizations rent cloud PC instances in the event their Windows devices are stolen, lost or damaged.

  • Hands-On AI Skills Now Outshine Certs in Salary Stakes

    For AI-related roles, employers are prioritizing verifiable, hands-on abilities over framed certificates -- and they're paying a premium for it.

  • Roadblocks in Enterprise AI: Data and Skills Shortfalls Could Cost Millions

    Businesses risk losing up to $87 million a year if they fail to catch up with AI innovation, according to the Couchbase FY 2026 CIO AI Survey released this month.