ParetoLogic Privacy Controls > Tutorials > Removing Disk Error Log Files

 

Removing Disk Error Log Files

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Disk Scanning And Error Log Files

The Windows operating system can manually or automatically perform a disk scan or disk check. When the system is switched off without going through the full logging off procedure some Windows systems will attempt to force a scan of your computer when you next log on. Alternatively a disk check can be run through the Windows control panel.

Why Scan Your Hard Drive?

Scanning your hard disk can help to identify a number of problems, namely software conflicts and problems with the Windows registry. Once you have found these problems it is possible that Windows will perform the appropriate actions in order to fully recover your registry to a workable condition. This can prevent error messages, software failure, and can improve the performance of your system.

Disk Error Log Files

When you have completed a disk scan or disk check the results are stored as a file within the Windows registry. These files are often found in the registry for some considerable time even after you have acted on the errors. This can result in a poor performing PC and a number of other problems with your system. It is a good idea to regularly clear your system of these disk error log files.

1 – Opening ParetoLogic Privacy Controls On The Options Screen

Once you have opened ParetoLogic Privacy Controls click on the Options link at the top left of the main window.

 

 

 

2 – Windows Options

 

 

 

Deselect all of the main options except for the Windows box.

Click the dropdown next to the Windows box and click the dropdown next to the Windows Entries box. This will give a list of twenty-three possible actions to take.

3 – Selecting Disk Error Log Files

Deselect all of the options except the Disk Error Log Files option.

 

 

4 – Choosing A Deletion Method

You can also select whether you wish to do a standard deletion of any resulting files or if you would like to use the Advanced Shredding option in order to securely and safely delete the files from your computer. Secure shredding enables you to completely remove the files and any traces they may leave behind. Files can often be restored using specialist software unless they are overwritten and shredded.

 

 

The When Erasing: box in the bottom right corner of the screen lets you choose between four deletion options:

• Delete Files Without Overwriting will delete the files and place them in the recycle bin of your system. This is the same as highlighting a file and clicking the delete button.
• The Quick option overwrites files once before securely shredding them. This option is a quick method of securely deleting files.
• The Safe option overwrites files three times before deletion. This is a more secure alternative to the Quick deletion or standard deletion but can take a little longer to complete.
• The most secure method is called Thorough. This includes seven overwrite passes to ensure that the contents of the file cannot be retrieved using any specialist software or any other technique. This is also the slowest method.

5 – Scan & Erase

 

 

Once you have selected the Disk Error Log Files option and chosen the appropriate deletion method click the Scan & Erase link in the top left of the screen to be taken to the scan page.

6 – Start Scanning

Click Start to begin the scanning process.

7 – Scan Results And Erasing

Once scanning is complete you will be presented with the scan results page that displays how many error logs were found and enables you to double click on an individual log item to see its contents. Select and deselect the entries depending on the actual files you want to delete and once you have made the appropriate selections click the Erase button to start the file erasing process.

8 – Confirm Your Actions

Once you have clicked the Erase button you will be asked to confirm your action by clicking on the Yes button. Do so to begin erasing.

 

 

Clearing out obsolete files and registry entries is a good idea. It prevents Windows errors and helps to improve or restore the performance of your PC and system. You are unlikely to need to run this scan often but you should certainly do so when you have run a disk scan on your computer. In order to protect your personal data you should use the Advanced Shredding options in order to overwrite files and securely delete them from your system without leaving behind traces

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