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Windows Vista File Management Issues or questions in relation to Vista's file management. (microsoft.public.windows.vista.file_management) |
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File Encrytion
Is there a way to encrypt all the files on my hard drive? I know my word
processing and spreadsheet files have a Microsoft Office option but how about e-mails and other non-Microsoft applications? If not, what is the best way to wipe my hard drive completely clean? Many thanks for your suggestions. Gene L. |
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File Encrytion
Sorry for my poor spelling, I meant "Encryption"- Thanks
"Gene L." wrote in message ... Is there a way to encrypt all the files on my hard drive? I know my word processing and spreadsheet files have a Microsoft Office option but how about e-mails and other non-Microsoft applications? If not, what is the best way to wipe my hard drive completely clean? Many thanks for your suggestions. Gene L. |
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File Encrytion
Sorry for my poor spelling, I meant "Encryption"- Thanks "Gene L." wrote in message ... Is there a way to encrypt all the files on my hard drive? I know my word processing and spreadsheet files have a Microsoft Office option but how about e-mails and other non-Microsoft applications? If not, what is the best way to wipe my hard drive completely clean? Many thanks for your suggestions. Gene L. |
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File Encrytion
There are different methods/techniques available. Deciding which is the best
depends greatly on the purpose and ease of use needed. Windows 2000 Professional, Server, Advanced Server and Datacenter editions Windows XP Professional, Tablet PC Edition, Media Center Edition, Professional x64 Edition Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2, in both x86 and x64 editions Windows Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions[3] Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 can all use the Encrypted File System. It is provided as part of those systems but is not turned on by default. You can use the help system, BING to Google to get information on it. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...ile-System-EFS For file archives, you can use a simple file compressor option that includes password protection. It is not the same as encryption/decryption, of course but it might serve the intended purpose. http://techblissonline.com/password-...windows-vista/ Note: the references are intended as examples and are by no means exhaustive let alone complete. Tom "Gene L." wrote in message ... Is there a way to encrypt all the files on my hard drive? I know my word processing and spreadsheet files have a Microsoft Office option but how about e-mails and other non-Microsoft applications? If not, what is the best way to wipe my hard drive completely clean? Many thanks for your suggestions. Gene L. |
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File Encrytion
There are different methods/techniques available. Deciding which is the best
depends greatly on the purpose and ease of use needed. Windows 2000 Professional, Server, Advanced Server and Datacenter editions Windows XP Professional, Tablet PC Edition, Media Center Edition, Professional x64 Edition Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2, in both x86 and x64 editions Windows Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions[3] Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 can all use the Encrypted File System. It is provided as part of those systems but is not turned on by default. You can use the help system, BING to Google to get information on it. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...ile-System-EFS For file archives, you can use a simple file compressor option that includes password protection. It is not the same as encryption/decryption, of course but it might serve the intended purpose. http://techblissonline.com/password-...windows-vista/ Note: the references are intended as examples and are by no means exhaustive let alone complete. Tom "Gene L." wrote in message ... Is there a way to encrypt all the files on my hard drive? I know my word processing and spreadsheet files have a Microsoft Office option but how about e-mails and other non-Microsoft applications? If not, what is the best way to wipe my hard drive completely clean? Many thanks for your suggestions. Gene L. |
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File Encrytion
Do you plan on ever using the files?
If you aren't you can use the File Menu Tools Shredder utility. http://www.lopesoft.com/en/index.html "Gene L." wrote in message ... Sorry for my poor spelling, I meant "Encryption"- Thanks "Gene L." wrote in message ... Is there a way to encrypt all the files on my hard drive? I know my word processing and spreadsheet files have a Microsoft Office option but how about e-mails and other non-Microsoft applications? If not, what is the best way to wipe my hard drive completely clean? Many thanks for your suggestions. Gene L. |
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File Encrytion
Do you plan on ever using the files?
If you aren't you can use the File Menu Tools Shredder utility. http://www.lopesoft.com/en/index.html "Gene L." wrote in message ... Sorry for my poor spelling, I meant "Encryption"- Thanks "Gene L." wrote in message ... Is there a way to encrypt all the files on my hard drive? I know my word processing and spreadsheet files have a Microsoft Office option but how about e-mails and other non-Microsoft applications? If not, what is the best way to wipe my hard drive completely clean? Many thanks for your suggestions. Gene L. |
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File Encrytion
God by definition is the uncreated creator of the universe "Gene L." wrote in message ... Is there a way to encrypt all the files on my hard drive? I know my word processing and spreadsheet files have a Microsoft Office option but how about e-mails and other non-Microsoft applications? If not, what is the best way to wipe my hard drive completely clean? Many thanks for your suggestions. Gene L. Why do you want to encrypt your files for? I read the following from somewhe 2. Reformat the Hard Drive and Re-install the Operating System Reformatting a disk prepares it to accept a new operating system. It also wipes out everything on the hard drive. That's your goal. Past versions of Windows (through Windows ME) allow you to create a start-up disk. You'll need one to reformat your hard drive. Click Start Settings Control Panel. Double-click Add/Remove Programs. Click Start-up Disk. Click Create Disk. On Windows XP, you'll need to download the disk information. Go to BootDisk.com and click "DOS - Windows 9X/NT4/2000/XP Excellent Bootdisks." Download the Windows XP Custom Install Disk and save it to a floppy. On all systems, shut down all open programs. Restart the computer with the floppy in the A: drive. At the A: prompt, type Format: C. Answer "yes" to the warning; you want to wipe out all the data. When the reformat finishes, put the Windows installation CD in the CD drive and remove the floppy. Restart and re-install Windows. Reformatting will keep most people out of your old files. But specialised shareware exists to reclaim files after reformatting. If you do not know who will get the computer - or you do know and you don't trust them - stronger measures are required. 3. Buy Software and Overwrite the Disk, Again and Again and Again If you don't know much about computers, this might be easier than Step 2. There are several programs that write gibberish to the hard drive. They promise that nobody will be able to find your files after the software is utilised. Norton's SystemWorks includes an application called Wipe Info. OnTrack's DataEraser offers a similar feature, as does Jetico's BCWipe. There are more such applications on the Internet. You can leave the operating system and other files on the hard disk, if you want. These programs can be set to overwrite only the unoccupied areas. The process can be slow, because they write to the disk repeatedly. You might want to run it overnight. 4. You're Totally Paranoid, so Get Out the Acetylene Torch I'm not kidding. The only absolute and assured way of protecting your data is to destroy the hard drive. To do that, you need to remove it from the computer. If you want to save the rest of the computer, touch the machine's metal frame before reaching in. Static electricity can wreck the circuitry. Unplug the wires on the hard drive and remove the mounting screws. The hard drive slides out from the back of its holder. The Pentagon shreds its hard drives. That should work, assuming you can find a hard-drive shredder. I've never seen one. You need to destroy the platters inside. Try smashing them with a hammer. Destroying them with a torch should work. Step 4 seems excessive to me. But you're right to be paranoid about this. Identity theft has become overwhelming. Personally, I would use Step 3. I believe in being careful, no matter who gets the computer. God Bless... |
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File Encrytion
God by definition is the uncreated creator of the universe "Gene L." wrote in message ... Is there a way to encrypt all the files on my hard drive? I know my word processing and spreadsheet files have a Microsoft Office option but how about e-mails and other non-Microsoft applications? If not, what is the best way to wipe my hard drive completely clean? Many thanks for your suggestions. Gene L. Why do you want to encrypt your files for? I read the following from somewhe 2. Reformat the Hard Drive and Re-install the Operating System Reformatting a disk prepares it to accept a new operating system. It also wipes out everything on the hard drive. That's your goal. Past versions of Windows (through Windows ME) allow you to create a start-up disk. You'll need one to reformat your hard drive. Click Start Settings Control Panel. Double-click Add/Remove Programs. Click Start-up Disk. Click Create Disk. On Windows XP, you'll need to download the disk information. Go to BootDisk.com and click "DOS - Windows 9X/NT4/2000/XP Excellent Bootdisks." Download the Windows XP Custom Install Disk and save it to a floppy. On all systems, shut down all open programs. Restart the computer with the floppy in the A: drive. At the A: prompt, type Format: C. Answer "yes" to the warning; you want to wipe out all the data. When the reformat finishes, put the Windows installation CD in the CD drive and remove the floppy. Restart and re-install Windows. Reformatting will keep most people out of your old files. But specialised shareware exists to reclaim files after reformatting. If you do not know who will get the computer - or you do know and you don't trust them - stronger measures are required. 3. Buy Software and Overwrite the Disk, Again and Again and Again If you don't know much about computers, this might be easier than Step 2. There are several programs that write gibberish to the hard drive. They promise that nobody will be able to find your files after the software is utilised. Norton's SystemWorks includes an application called Wipe Info. OnTrack's DataEraser offers a similar feature, as does Jetico's BCWipe. There are more such applications on the Internet. You can leave the operating system and other files on the hard disk, if you want. These programs can be set to overwrite only the unoccupied areas. The process can be slow, because they write to the disk repeatedly. You might want to run it overnight. 4. You're Totally Paranoid, so Get Out the Acetylene Torch I'm not kidding. The only absolute and assured way of protecting your data is to destroy the hard drive. To do that, you need to remove it from the computer. If you want to save the rest of the computer, touch the machine's metal frame before reaching in. Static electricity can wreck the circuitry. Unplug the wires on the hard drive and remove the mounting screws. The hard drive slides out from the back of its holder. The Pentagon shreds its hard drives. That should work, assuming you can find a hard-drive shredder. I've never seen one. You need to destroy the platters inside. Try smashing them with a hammer. Destroying them with a torch should work. Step 4 seems excessive to me. But you're right to be paranoid about this. Identity theft has become overwhelming. Personally, I would use Step 3. I believe in being careful, no matter who gets the computer. God Bless... |
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File Encrytion
"Parrott" wrote in message
... God by definition is the uncreated creator of the universe "Gene L." wrote in message ... Is there a way to encrypt all the files on my hard drive? I know my word processing and spreadsheet files have a Microsoft Office option but how about e-mails and other non-Microsoft applications? If not, what is the best way to wipe my hard drive completely clean? Many thanks for your suggestions. Gene L. Why do you want to encrypt your files for? I read the following from somewhe 2. Reformat the Hard Drive and Re-install the Operating System Reformatting a disk prepares it to accept a new operating system. It also wipes out everything on the hard drive. That's your goal. Past versions of Windows (through Windows ME) allow you to create a start-up disk. You'll need one to reformat your hard drive. Click Start Settings Control Panel. Double-click Add/Remove Programs. Click Start-up Disk. Click Create Disk. On Windows XP, you'll need to download the disk information. Go to BootDisk.com and click "DOS - Windows 9X/NT4/2000/XP Excellent Bootdisks." Download the Windows XP Custom Install Disk and save it to a floppy. On all systems, shut down all open programs. Restart the computer with the floppy in the A: drive. At the A: prompt, type Format: C. Answer "yes" to the warning; you want to wipe out all the data. When the reformat finishes, put the Windows installation CD in the CD drive and remove the floppy. Restart and re-install Windows. Reformatting will keep most people out of your old files. But specialised shareware exists to reclaim files after reformatting. If you do not know who will get the computer - or you do know and you don't trust them - stronger measures are required. 3. Buy Software and Overwrite the Disk, Again and Again and Again If you don't know much about computers, this might be easier than Step 2. There are several programs that write gibberish to the hard drive. They promise that nobody will be able to find your files after the software is utilised. Norton's SystemWorks includes an application called Wipe Info. OnTrack's DataEraser offers a similar feature, as does Jetico's BCWipe. There are more such applications on the Internet. You can leave the operating system and other files on the hard disk, if you want. These programs can be set to overwrite only the unoccupied areas. The process can be slow, because they write to the disk repeatedly. You might want to run it overnight. 4. You're Totally Paranoid, so Get Out the Acetylene Torch I'm not kidding. The only absolute and assured way of protecting your data is to destroy the hard drive. To do that, you need to remove it from the computer. If you want to save the rest of the computer, touch the machine's metal frame before reaching in. Static electricity can wreck the circuitry. Unplug the wires on the hard drive and remove the mounting screws. The hard drive slides out from the back of its holder. The Pentagon shreds its hard drives. That should work, assuming you can find a hard-drive shredder. I've never seen one. You need to destroy the platters inside. Try smashing them with a hammer. Destroying them with a torch should work. Step 4 seems excessive to me. But you're right to be paranoid about this. Identity theft has become overwhelming. Personally, I would use Step 3. I believe in being careful, no matter who gets the computer. God Bless... Thanks for taking the time to write. I have been slow in reading the replies but yours is very detailed and makes a lot of sense. I appreciate your expertise. I do not wish to appear mysterious because I am just an average old-timer who is considering the purchase of a new lap top. I would like to donate my present desk computer to the local school system but I do not want to have some personal information "pop up" accidentally. It would be just embarrassing - not criminal. With appreciation: Gene L. |
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