Permanetly deleting certain entries-Windows 7 universal search

[pittguy578]

I am trying to delete anything regarding my recent medical history from my desktop so I can give it to someone without having to do a fresh install. I do a universal search from Windows Start and looking for the name of my doctor "Smith". I deleted all documents, but the search results are still showing up-when I click to open folder to delete it the folder is no longer in existence. I am not sure what else to do in order to permanently erase any semblance of these files from that function.

 

[zigzag3143]

I seriously doubt you will get all the references. The will be temp copies that search wont find, backup copies if you use office, etc.

Plus, unless you format, the op can do an undelete, or use a file recovery app.

 

[JMH]

I am trying to delete anything regarding my recent medical history from my desktop so I can give it to someone without having to do a fresh install. I do a universal search from Windows Start and looking for the name of my doctor "Smith". I deleted all documents, but the search results are still showing up-when I click to open folder to delete it the folder is no longer in existence. I am not sure what else to do in order to permanently erase any semblance of these files from that function.

FYI...
The only way to be absolutely, positively sure that not a trace of your history is on the computer is to wipe the drive clean, format it and reinstall Windows.

Quite often, I get this question with an additional caveat - how to remove all of your personal information while leaving Windows installed.
“Well ... how paranoid are you?”

You can't.

The problem is that even after removing all of your data - even if you remember to remove every scrap and even after removing every single application - some of your personal information will still be left on the machine.

If nothing else, there's likely to be random information left in the Windows registry, and unless you take additional steps, all of those files that you carefully deleted could potentially be recovered.

How should I erase my hard drive before I give it away?