east-tec Eraser removes Windows privacy traces and overwrites data that ordinary deletion can leave recoverable. Privacy Guard targets browser records and Windows traces. It also handles records from supported applications. Erase Files and Folders handles selected live items. Erase Deleted Data works on free space and file slack. It can also target recoverable filesystem information. east-tec Eraser is not an undelete utility; a completed wipe aims to prevent later recovery.
These modules act on different objects. Wiping free space does not erase existing allocated files. Erasing a live folder does not automatically clean every trace that a browser or another application stored elsewhere. The target and module must match the data the user wants to remove.
Exclusions can preserve data inside a selected category
File Exclusion accepts masks and wildcard characters. Folder Exclusion protects a chosen path. Deep Protect extends that protection through contained files and subfolders. Data Retention can keep targeted items newer than a selected number of days.
Those policies run before Privacy Guard removes data. A browser category may appear selected while a matching exclusion or retention rule preserves some entries. The documented default removes targeted material without a retention period, so adding a policy changes the result and needs a later audit.
Free-space wiping temporarily consumes the space
Erase Deleted Data creates .WIP files in the drive root and fills the available free space, then deletes those temporary files after the pass. Windows can report the drive as full during this process. That state comes from the wipe operation rather than from permanent user files suddenly appearing.
File-slack wiping works on unused allocation space at the ends of existing files without deleting those files. east-tec Eraser can also scramble recoverable names and sizes of deleted entries. It can scramble their dates as well and work on the NTFS transaction log. These tasks take longer than removing one visible file because they cover storage areas rather than one directory entry.
More wipe passes cost more time
A job can use a standard wipe method or a custom pass count and data pattern. The ISAAC pseudo-random option raises the documented sanitization level and slows the operation. Buffer choices can also affect performance and the responsiveness of other programs.
Running several passes repeats the overwrite work on the selected target. The pass count and data pattern determine that repeated operation.
Ignore locked files means leave them unerased
The command-line runner accepts automation, module and module-parameter arguments. Its /I option ignores locked files. east-tec Eraser does not queue those files for deletion after restart, so a successful automated run can still leave the locked items in place.
The scheduler can start an erase task at a time, event, logon, startup or idle trigger. Scheduling moves the destructive action into the future; it does not validate a mistaken folder, mask or retention choice. The scheduler uses the saved task definition at its next trigger.
Quick optical erase is for reuse, not complete sanitization
Media Wiper handles removable devices and accepts method, logging and formatting controls. The documented quick erase for rewritable optical media can leave user data in the disc’s program area. It suits routine reuse rather than a requirement for complete removal.
Privacy Guard also depends on definitions for recognized applications and custom targets. east-tec Eraser’s application list follows those definitions. A custom target can add selected files or folders to the privacy-cleaning scope.
