Windows 7: Best file shredder utility? If there is one...

Anyone have a favorite file shredder utility that actually works well without doing too much physical damage? is there such a thing?
I've used several over the years, but had no real scientific data upon which to assume that they actually did a good job. Generally, it is so-called 'impossible' to damage a file to the point of non-recoverability by such means - but we gotta try.



your fave?? and why if you happen to know...

Best Free Secure Erase Utility

It's a good idea to read through the user comments. Often you'll find a utility mentioned in a comment that's closer to your needs or even just flat out superior to the reviewed apps.

this is quite germane to the need, but the article's reference to pop programs is lacking evidence of effectiveness: Best Free Secure Erase Utility

several references point to this technique which is actually the work of the hard drive vendors themselves, but was/is so effective that the PC/system vendors defeated the feature for fear of accidental destruction. CMRR - Secure Erase

i dunno... i have a drive I'm going to use as a guinea pig, destroy all the data by using the iso at the latter link, then try some hardcore recovery tools

Ccleanner can shredder,some other utilities like advanced system care, tune up utilities,File Shredder also work. Try them out, find the most suitable one to you.

i have, but let me ask the question: how would you know that the files in question were, afterward, unrecoverable by any/all means available?

There are several shredder rules. Like the Gutmann 35 passea! 35!! Unrecoverable

I have East Tec Eraser, which is very good, but pay (I got several versions in giveaways over time). You can have a look at this small, free program:

FileKiller

A Guy

Some good suggestions here, but heres one that may be overlooked.

Do you by chance happen to be a Acronis user?
If so, it already has a file/folder shredder built in.
Look under: Tools & Utilities --> Security & Privacy.

This is the one I use simply because its already there
Does a good job for what I use it for.

One thing I don't like about CCleaner is that it renames any deleted/erased files in TIF for example with ZZZZZZ.ZZZ etc, getting ever longer as files are added. Why not use something like a random letter assignment as for example BCWipe does. I doubt it would take any longer.

As for erasing files well the older versions of Heidi Eraser used to work fine on XP but the latest version has quite a few problems with Windows 7. BCWipe costs but has quite a few advantages but it too has had problems. It is quite customisable though, something that Eraser has lost a little in its current version.

For whole drives: Darik's Boot And Nuke | Hard Drive Disk Wipe and Data Clearing
For individual files: Eraser

I wiped my SD card with eraser and then tried to recover the data with Recuva and GetBackData, of which neither of them were able to recover any files. I'm yet to try and recover the files with the Digital Forensics applications in BackTrack 5 (Sleuth Toolkit etc.).