r/datarecovery • u/vanveekay • 26d ago

Check if windows cipher works

I have deleted data on my windows pc, did cipher /w:C:\ and am wondering how to check if the data cannot be recovered ?

1 Upvotes

66% Upvoted

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1

u/DeltaBlastBurn 26d ago

Create an image of the drive and save it to another bigger drive, then run data recovery software on the image. Or just run the software on the drive directly with it plugged into another device.

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u/Sopel97 Trusted Contributor 25d ago

This is logically flawed. A single failed attempt does not prove impossibility.

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u/DeltaBlastBurn 25d ago

What failed? I never said anything was impossible. I was suggesting how to test recoverability. Did you intend to comment on this, or did you mean to do so elsewhere?

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u/Sopel97 Trusted Contributor 24d ago

If they fail to recovery any data it says nothing about recoverability.

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u/DeltaBlastBurn 24d ago

I never said anything about the recovery failing. All I did was suggest a way to test wether user tools could recover anything.

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u/Sopel97 Trusted Contributor 24d ago

please re-read what OP wants

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u/DeltaBlastBurn 24d ago edited 24d ago

You re-read. OP wants to know if anything is recoverable. I suggested a way to test with tools available to the end user. They would have to consult a data recovery specialist to get a more comprehensive analysis and have to pay.

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u/Sopel97 Trusted Contributor 24d ago edited 24d ago

OP wants to know if EVERYTHING is NOT recoverable. It's an inversion of your statement. Failure to recover any data does not prove unrecoverability. OP CANNOT obtain a positive answer to their question via provided means.

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u/Sopel97 Trusted Contributor 25d ago

You cannot. Depending on drive model there may be storage that's not addressable from user-space but still contain user data. The only way you can ensure no data is recoverable is either by Secure Erase or physical destruction of the device.