Looking for help from the computer geeks in deleting files that won't delete.

[CobraBob]

OK, so my brother-in-law just got let go from his printing management job as a result of the COVID-19 mess. The company has recently laid off a lot of people, so he knew it could happen but was hoping he'd be one they would keep. He has been working at home since the COVID-19 shutdown, using a company provided computer since he was forced to work at home. He found out on Tuesday that he's laid off effective immediately, and he has to turn his computer in next Monday. He has some personal files on the computer like emails sent to friends when his mom passed and probably some Word documents, and other miscellaneous files. Nothing that would be an issue with the company. Just personal stuff he'd prefer was deleted before he turns in the computer. Well, apparently the computer permissions (?) won't allow him to delete any files. Nothing. It's always been that way apparently. I'm thinking that since the computer is owned by the company he worked for, they might not want any users deleting files. Anyway, whatever the reason, the Recycle Bin is locked. He can't delete anything. Is there any easy way for him to unlock the Recycle Bin and gain back the ability to delete those personal files? And then, I guess, re-lock the Recycle Bin when he's finished? He'd prefer to not use a special APP to do this since he doesn't have that much to delete.

I know this is kind of a strange deal, but trust me, this has nothing to do with covering up something illegal, nothing malicious, etc. He simply wants to delete any personal files he created. Oh, and there's NO PORN on his computer! LOL.

Can anyone offer up any advice for him? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[HEMIHUNTER]

How well does he know the company’s
IT guy?
Maybe he can take it to him personally and the IT guy can wipe it in front of him.


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com

 

[Machdup1]

How well does he know the company’s
IT guy?
Maybe he can take it to him personally and the IT guy can wipe it in front of him.


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com

This. Or get a DOD wipe program and wipe it clean.

 

[Deceptive]

Move the file from the computer to a USB?

 

[bglf83]

Dell and HP machines can be wiped using the BIOS if it’s not password protected.

 

[CobraBob]

I had thought about doing a MOVE to a USB drive vs. a delete. I'll pass that along to him.

He doesn't want to wipe the drive since it's a company computer. They want it back intact with the existing OS and files. He just wants to get rid of the personal email (not the company email) and personal files.

 

[01yellercobra]

I never understood why people do personal things on work computers. I had a work phone and computer in the past. The most personal thing on both was me visiting this site.

 

[CompOrange04GT]

I never understood why people do personal things on work computers. I had a work phone and computer in the past. The most personal thing on both was me visiting this site.

yup it’s why I refuse when a company says “ we will pay your cell bill if you use your phone “

Nope I’ll carry two phones.

 

[jshen]

Move the file from the computer to a USB?

You can move- but computer always keeps a copy

 

[jshen]

I had thought about doing a MOVE to a USB drive vs. a delete. I'll pass that along to him.

He doesn't want to wipe the drive since it's a company computer. They want it back intact with the existing OS and files. He just wants to get rid of the personal email (not the company email) and personal files.

Pick & choose files is the booger here. Eastech file shredder will allow you to select files...but with the Adm blocking access to do so...I would call your IT guy if he is trustworthy, and if he won't help, call Eastech..I have used them for years as I have had a lot of confidential govt files that have to be erased beyond DOD.

I must admit, all of my confidential stuff now goes on a laptop that I own.

 

[jshen]

yup it’s why I refuse when a company says “ we will pay your cell bill if you use your phone “

Nope I’ll carry two phones.

Good for you!!! So many people get caught up on this...Once the company pays for your phone and service...they own all the rights to content..tracking, etc. I bought my phone and got govt rate for service- but it was and is still mine. The "govt" has extraordinary ability with cell phones...

 

[FIVEHOE]

First off, try to boot the laptop into recovery mode. Depending on what kind of device you will need to press like f8 or something until the screen pops up. See if he has permissions to restore to factory defaults.

If not, it’s gets much harder, but you can bypass security things using batch scripts. I’m not going to explain how to do it, but google will have the answers if you do care to look for them.

 

[olympic]

May be a long shot but try using the command prompt. Use the cd\ command to navigate to the folder with the file you want to delete. Then type "del" followed by the file name including the extension, example: "file.doc" or use *.* to delete everything in the folder.

 

[Machdup1]

He doesn't want to wipe the drive since it's a company computer. They want it back intact with the existing OS and files.

What are they going to do if it is wiped?

I doubt they can fire him again.

 

[hotcobra03]

I say just keep the pc.

Parting fee

 

[98 svt]

Tell him to keep his porn on a seperate burner laptop.

 

[13COBRA]

@CobraBob I would strongly recommend getting a hold of Hillary Clinton. She'll get it taken care of for him.

 

[CobraBob]

Thanks to those who provided helpful suggestions. Yeah, I was thinking that he is either going to have to just turn it in with his "harmless" personal files/email, or wipe the hard drive (if that's even possible depending on what rights he has as Administrator). He can't keep it because it is company property and he's required to turn it in. I seriously doubt he wants to engage in a legal battle over the computer.

 

[Booky]

@CobraBob I would strongly recommend getting a hold of Hillary Clinton. She'll get it taken care of for him.

 

[SonicDTR]

This is by design, especially after notice is given. If the files are harmless then let it go, the PC will be wiped by company IT and reissued. If he insists they be deleted, then he should be able to work with his manager or IT folks to both review the files in question and then permanently delete them. Even if he finds a workaround to wipe it, they're most likely backed up on company servers and could be retrieved.