5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does the demo version of Stellar File Eraser do?

The demo version of the software only allows you to select and list traces of files, folders, web browsers, applications or systems files. To perform any erasure, you must purchase and register the software.

2. Why do I need to use Stellar File Eraser?

When you delete a file from your system, the data is not actually erased. It is just marked as deleted and the space it was using is made available for other files to be stored. This means that the data can still be recovered by using data recovery software. Stellar File Eraser helps you to securely and permanently erase files, applications and internet traces from your system thereby ensuring your data privacy. Also, the 'Erase Free Space' feature of the software completely erases data in the free space (free hard drive space) which leaves no possibility of data to be recovered. 

3. Does Stellar File Eraser remove data beyond recovery?

Yes, BitRaser File Eraser removes data beyond recovery.

4. Does erasure cause any harm to my hard drive?

Erasing data using Stellar File Eraser does not cause any harm to the hard drive.

5. Can I erase a specific file using Stellar File Eraser?

Yes, you can erase specific files by adding them to the erasure list or dragging the items and dropping them to the software or you can also erase selected files through Search & Erase option. 

For more information, refer to Erase Files and Folders section.

6. What if data of the application traces are not erased after the complete erasure process?

It happens in case you have not closed the application during the erasing process or if you are viewing newly created files and folders after the application has restarted on completing an erasure process.

7. What if the data of System Traces are not erased after the completion of an erasure process?

This problem arises if you view the recently created files or folders, as the operating system automatically creates some system traces at different time intervals.

8. What are passes in Erasing algorithms?

Passes in erasing algorithms are number of times overwriting process is repeated. For example, in Peter Gutmann method, a series of 35 patterns is written over the region to be erased. 

9. Which algorithm should I choose for the best erasure?

It depends upon how many times an algorithm overwrites the data precisely or the number of passes used to erase the data. The more the number of passes used by the algorithm, more effective it is. Each algorithm performs a different set of features from which you can choose the suitable algorithm as per the requirement. See List of Erasure Algorithms and their Descriptions, to know more. 

10. What if the software is taking too long to erase the data?

It depends on the size of the data you are erasing, the configuration of the system and the algorithm you are using to erase the data. A large amount of data, lesser configuration and more number of passes may consume more time for erasure.

11. If a single overwrite can erase hard disk securely enough, why are there so many data sanitization algorithms?

Not everyone agrees on a data sanitization algorithm that will prevent all possible methods of recovering the data. Since many advanced, hardware based methods of extracting information from hard drives exist, several governmental organizations and researchers have independently devised certain methods of overwriting data that, according to their research, should prevent these advanced recovery methods from working. 

12. which types of files cannot be erased using Stellar File Eraser?

Systems files are critical files that are used by operating systems to run your computer. So it is not possible to erase system files.

13. Is it possible to erase specific internet activities instead of clearing all of them?

Yes, you can choose specific items or internet activities from the list of browsers you want to erase. See Erase Internet Traces, to know more.  

14. Can I use Stellar File Eraser to erase the free space on the primary partition of my hard drive? 

Yes, it is secure to use Stellar File Eraser to erase data in the free space of the hard drive's primary partition as it removes the free space left after deletion of files and folders.

15. What is the process for scheduling an erase traces task for a specific browser?

To schedule an eraser task for a specific browser, you need to configure the default settings for that browser in the Stellar File Eraser settings. After that, you can schedule the eraser task using the schedule erasure tab for the desired duration.

Follow the steps below to schedule an erase traces task for a specific browser: 

1. Click on the Settings icon displayed on the screen.

2. Select Erase Traces tab from the Settings window that appears next. 

3. Select Internet Activity tab.

4. Choose the browser you want to schedule to erase traces and click OK.

5. Select Schedule Erasure from Select Option displayed on the left pane of the screen.

6. Select Erase Traces tab from the right pane of the screen.

7. Choose the required frequency period and specific time for running the eraser task.

8. Click OK to schedule.

Once you have schedule the erase traces task for the particular browser, it will run automatically at the designated time and date, erasing all the traces of your browsing history, cookies, and related data.

To know more, please refer to Set Schedule Erasure for Erase Traces section.

16. Is it possible for the software to automatically erase traces of any files or folder?

Yes, Stellar File Eraser provides an option to schedule eraser task to perform automatically at predefined period. Refer to Set Schedule Erasure for Files and Folders section to schedule erasure task automatically.