Empty Trash vs. Secure Empty
What is the difference between normally emptying the trash, and going to finder, file, secure empty trash? Which should i do?
Macbook, Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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You can delete files, folders, and other items on your disk that you no longer need.
You may want to store a backup copy or an archive of important items if you are trying to clear space on your hard disk for other things.
Drag the items to the Trash (at the end of the Dock).
Any files or folders you drag to the Trash remain there until you empty the Trash. If you change your mind about something, you can still retrieve it from the Trash if you haven't emptied it yet. Click the Trash icon to open the Trash window, then drag items back to your home folder.
Choose Finder > Empty Trash.
Even after you empty the Trash, deleted files may still be recovered by using special data-recovery software. To delete files so that they cannot be recovered, choose Finder > Secure Empty Trash. Files deleted in this way are completely overwritten by meaningless data. This may take some time, depending on the size of the file. To prevent the recovery of files you deleted previously, open Disk Utility (in Applications/Utilities), choose Help > Disk Utility Help, and search for help on erasing free disk space.
If an item is locked, you cannot put it in the Trash. Select the item and choose File > Get Info, then deselect the Locked checkbox in the General pane. If you do not own the item, you may need to provide an administrator's name and password to put the item in the Trash.
Press the Option key when you choose Empty Trash to prevent the warning message from appearing. You can also turn off the warning in the Advanced pane of Finder Preferences.
-Bmer
Mac Owners Support Group
Join Us @ MacOSG.com
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You may want to store a backup copy or an archive of important items if you are trying to clear space on your hard disk for other things.
Drag the items to the Trash (at the end of the Dock).
Any files or folders you drag to the Trash remain there until you empty the Trash. If you change your mind about something, you can still retrieve it from the Trash if you haven't emptied it yet. Click the Trash icon to open the Trash window, then drag items back to your home folder.
Choose Finder > Empty Trash.
Even after you empty the Trash, deleted files may still be recovered by using special data-recovery software. To delete files so that they cannot be recovered, choose Finder > Secure Empty Trash. Files deleted in this way are completely overwritten by meaningless data. This may take some time, depending on the size of the file. To prevent the recovery of files you deleted previously, open Disk Utility (in Applications/Utilities), choose Help > Disk Utility Help, and search for help on erasing free disk space.
If an item is locked, you cannot put it in the Trash. Select the item and choose File > Get Info, then deselect the Locked checkbox in the General pane. If you do not own the item, you may need to provide an administrator's name and password to put the item in the Trash.
Press the Option key when you choose Empty Trash to prevent the warning message from appearing. You can also turn off the warning in the Advanced pane of Finder Preferences.
-Bmer
Mac Owners Support Group
Join Us @ MacOSG.com
YouTube.MacOSG.com
iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
An Apple User Group