Hard Disk Drives do not delete data, they simply overwrite them. All that was tempered with are the links to the data they contain. From the explanation above, you'll observe that the data is still there. What really happens when you delete a file is that the link is removed from the table in the File Manager System that's keeping track of the file.
When you delete a file, your OS simply removes the data it has stored about these links or inode values. File Mangers of your Operating System keeps track of your files by knowing the addresses or links to all the chunks mentioned earlier. Data chunks are usually scattered all over the memory architecture. Your files are saved on the hard disk in small pieces or chunks.
Part 1: What Happens When You Delete a File?įirst, it is important to know how your OS places files in your hard disks.
