In order to really eradicate data you need to use data-shredding software. Simply deleting a file from your hard drive doesn't mean it's no longer there – it just means the computer doesn't know where to go and look for it.Ī forensic expert, digital criminal or any ne’er-do-well with the right equipment could easily access every single detail even from deleted hard drives that look empty to the untrained eye.Įven if you're only passing an old laptop on to a relative, it's still worth taking precautions, in case they don't wipe the machine when they upgrade. Data recovery software is simple to use, after all.ĭispose of your computer responsibly with our guide to recycling an old computer This presents a real risk of personal information falling into the wrong hands. Yet every year thousands of hard drives end up undeleted on the scrapheap or sold second-hand. Our computers and mobile phones contain all manner of personal data, from documents featuring details of your date of birth and address to financial records and family photos. Follow our step-by step guide to make sure your data is gone

If you have synced your OneDrive to your desktop/hard drive, use File Explorer (or Mac Finder, if you're on a Mac) to find and delete the file, photo, or folder.If you're getting rid of an old device, it's important to securely wipe your data from it first. You’ll still see the file in the OneDrive folder on your computer, but it will take up zero hard drive space.ĭelete from both your OneDrive and your hard drive If you want to keep a file, photo, or folder on your OneDrive, but not on your computer (because you don’t want it to take up space), put the file in your OneDrive folder, then turn on Files On-Demand (Windows) (or Files On-Demand (Mac)). If you want to keep a file, photo, or folder on your computer, but not on OneDrive, use File Explorer (or Mac Finder, if you're on a Mac) to move the file outside your OneDrive folder to a different folder on your hard drive.ĭelete from your hard drive but not your OneDrive Delete items from your OneDrive, your hard drive, or bothĭelete from your OneDrive but not your hard drive

Note: Once you delete files from the OneDrive recycle bin, there may be a short delay in seeing that reflected in your OneDrive account's storage availability.

Clearing a hard drive