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Contents > ZDelete Wizard > Step 4

Step 4: Auto-Cleaner - Disk Wiper

In this step, define a set of hard drives to be wiped when ZDelete Auto-Cleaner is started.

ZDelete Disk Wiper is a secure utility that will "wipe" all the free space on a drive, making it impossible to recover files that were previously deleted. Wiping the drive does NOT delete existing files on it, but makes it impossible to recover any file that was previously deleted, even if using recovery tools. In other words, the surface of the disk that is not occupied by any currently existing file is cleared of data residue that may still exist.

If you have been using the Windows delete command, prior to installing ZDelete, your drives will contain data residue from previously deleted files. These files can easily be restored by someone using a data recovery utility. If you are dealing with secure or sensitive data, it is better to run Disk Wiper on all drives to secure deleted files. Once this process is complete, it will be impossible for anybody to restore any document deleted before you started using ZDelete and your privacy will be protected.

ZDelete Disk Wiper can be used manually from a Microsoft Explorer context menu, or automatically, when you run ZDelete Auto-Cleaner as a scheduled task.

A figure of the Disk Wiper screen appears below:

Figure 2-6 Auto-Cleaner - Disk Wiper

Wiping the disk is a lengthy procedure, and does not need to be performed frequently. It is a useful feature if you have recently completed the ZDelete installation. Wiping all drives is an extra precaution that you might find useful.

Enable the checkbox next to all drives that you want to Disk Wipe.

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