How to Permanently Delete Pictures and Files From Memory Cards

Let's say you have some files or pictures on a memory card or memory stick and you want to lend it to someone or sell it. How do you permanently delete files from the memory card to prevent recovery?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• memory card or memory stick
• digital camera
• PC

1. The increased popularity of digital cameras, due to their ease of use and convenience, has created a problem that many people overlook. There may be pictures and files created over time on the removable memory card that should not be shared with the rest of the world. Programs exist that allow the recovery of deleted picture files from memory cards. This article covers several ways to permanently remove the files and pictures from the memory card without damaging the card for further use.

2. Digital cameras provide a "delete" feature that will enable a user to remove pictures and files from a memory card. The problem is that these files are not actually removed from the memory card until the space is overwritten by another file. Using easy-to-find software that is available for free on the Internet, another user may be able to recover pictures or files that have not been overwritten. This is a great tool for those who accidentally delete a picture and want to recover it. This is a horrible thing for someone who lends their camera to another person with hidden pictures that they assume were gone forever.

3. 
   This solution works for all types of removeable media.

   Transfer all pictures from your memory card that you want to save into a folder on your PC. Once all of these files are "removed" from the card, format the card. This may be done by accessing your digital camera's settings. After formatting the card, switch the camera back to "picture taking" mode. Take pictures of the floor or the wall until the memory stick has been completely filled. Format the memory card again.

4. Perform a search on the Internet for picture recovery software. There are some free versions available that work very well. Try to recover the pictures that you deleted and see what happens. If you can recover them, then someone else can too. Don't assume that other people aren't curious and that they will not attempt to see your hidden picture files.

5. Another option is to format the memory card and then transfer as many files as possible from your PC back to the memory card and then format it again. The idea is to replace the important pictures and files with less important pictures and files that you do not mind people finding.

Tips & Warnings

• It is easier to recover files and pictures than many people realize.
• Never hand over your personal pictures or files to someone on a memory card that has not been "cleaned."

Resources

• How to Make Money With Your Digital Photos
• How to Clear Cookies, History, Temporary Internet Files, etc. in Internet Explorer 7 with a Single Click.
• How to Make Objects Disappear from Photos Using Photoshop
• How to Protect Pictures and Video of your Family
• How to Take Pictures at a Nude Beach

[nethopperz]

on 10/24/2007 There is a German company named Convar that offers a free (at least up until now it's been free) program called PC Inspector / File Recovery. I've been able to recover pictures that I thought were gone for sure using this software. That's what prompted the idea for this article. I thought, "wait a minute... that was a little too easy..."

[favefive]

on 10/24/2007 Great tips. I too had accidentally deleted some photos that I thought I saved on my computer. If I can still recover them from my memory card then hat would be awesome.

[princessbride42]

on 10/11/2007 Thanks for the tips; these are some good ideas and things I hadn't thought of. It's too late for some of my pictures, but hopefully I can prevent that in the future.