The answer is no, permanently deleted files are not really gone.
When you delete a file on your computer, it's not actually erased from the hard drive. Instead, the file's entry in the file system table is marked as deleted, making the space it occupied available for new data.
This means the data itself remains on the hard drive until it is overwritten by new data.
This is why data recovery software can sometimes recover deleted files. These programs can scan the hard drive for deleted file signatures and attempt to reconstruct the file.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Overwriting: Once new data overwrites the space occupied by a deleted file, it becomes much harder (and sometimes impossible) to recover.
- Data Recovery Software: Many data recovery programs are available online. However, it's important to use a reputable program and be cautious about potential malware.
- Data Security: If you are concerned about data security, consider using data encryption software or secure file deletion software that overwrites deleted files multiple times to make recovery nearly impossible.
Conclusion:
While deleting a file marks it as available for new data, the data itself remains on the hard drive until overwritten. Data recovery software can sometimes recover deleted files, but this becomes more difficult as the space is overwritten.
