Solved Does Windows keep a cache of original versions of images?

[cbiweb]

When I right click an image and choose "Edit with Notepad++", it opens to a mass of code that makes up the image.
If I delete all that code, then save the image file, it then cannot be opened ever again since the data is gone, as expected.

My question is, is there a Windows cache -- hidden or otherwise -- that keeps the original version of the image? If so, where can I find it?

 

[Kari]

You do of course know that Notepad++ is only meant to create and edit text files? It cannot open images, nor can it be used to edit images.

When you open an image with Notepad++ and delete the code, you naturally destroy the image.

Notepad++ being in the context (right click) menu does not mean it can be used to open any other file types than plain text files.

Here's a tutorial to show you one possible method to recover your lost images: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85679-previous-versions-restore-files-folders.html

Kari

 

[cbiweb]

Yes, I am fully aware of what Notepad++ is meant for and what it can and cannot do. I edited the images that way for a reason, as part of a larger experiment.

My goal is to NOT be able to recover images that are deleted in this manner, which is why I wanted to know about caching.

I'll read the tutorial anyway, to see if anything comes up that helps answer the question.

In the meantime, if anyone else happens to know for sure...

 

[Kari]

I am just wondering, isn't that quite obvious that if you somehow open the code that makes the image, and you then delete said code, the image is destroyed.

Images are not "cached", backed up by the system. You can of course backup them to another location before testing what deleting the image code does.

 

[cbiweb]

I'm just trying to cover all possible bases. I figured that the image would be completely destroyed, but Windows sometimes has features that aren't commonly known, so I had to ask. From what you're saying, though, it would seem that removing the image code via Notepad++ leaves no trace of the actual image anywhere on the system. The file is still there, but empty of course.

 

[Kari]

It's not different than for instance opening a Word document, deleting all text and saving it. The document exists but has no content.

Again, as if it was like any other document, if you have not backed the file up or created a copy, when the content is deleted the only way to get it back is to use the Previous Versions feature.

 

[cbiweb]

Thank you for your help.