Cryptocurrency Q&A
Does deleting files actually free up space?
Does deleting files actually free up space?
Nicola
Tue Oct 08 2024
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7 answers
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Have you ever wondered if deleting files from your computer or device actually frees up space? It's a common misconception that simply deleting a file will immediately reclaim that space for use. But the truth is, it's not quite that simple. When you delete a file, it's not immediately removed from your storage device. Instead, the space that file occupied is marked as available for new data to be written over. However, until that space is actually overwritten, the deleted file can still be recovered using certain software tools. So, while deleting files does technically make that space available for reuse, it doesn't necessarily mean that space is immediately freed up and ready for new data. Understanding this distinction is important when managing your storage space and ensuring your data is truly deleted and unrecoverable.
7 answers
KDramaLegend
Wed Oct 09 2024
Until a file undergoes true deletion, its space is considered "available" by the file system, but it remains accessible to specialized software designed for data recovery.
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StormGalaxy
Wed Oct 09 2024
Disk space management on external drives can be confusing, especially when users expect immediate changes after deleting files. A common misconception is that deleting files immediately frees up space, but this is not always the case.
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Caterina
Wed Oct 09 2024
When a file is deleted from an external drive, it is not immediately removed from the disk's physical space. Instead, the space occupied by the file remains marked as available for reuse.
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QuasarPulse
Wed Oct 09 2024
The trash or recycle bin on operating systems like Windows serves as a temporary storage location for deleted files. In reality, it's a hidden folder located on the same hard drive where deleted files are moved rather than erased.
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CryptoWizardry
Wed Oct 09 2024
This explains why available disk space may not increase immediately after deleting files from an external drive. The files' data remains on the disk until it's overwritten or the drive undergoes a true deletion process.
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