Hello

I deleted some data which included videos, Excel sheets, and Word documents around 14 months back. During this time I used my computer regularly but my use mainly included using Skype and Microsoft Outlook. This use also included one Windows reinstallation.

For some reason my hard disk is no longer with me any more. My question is is it possible that such old data be recovered?

The only way to find out would be to use recovery software.

Those files may been overwritten, but I would say it still could be recovered.

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I think she doesn't have the disk any more, that's why she is worried of her sensitive data.
If data hasn't been overwritten it is still recoverable, time doesn't matter.
DRUG
Whats the use of quoting a full preceding post?

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Skype's conversation history is stored on Skype's cloud for only 30 days c here, but even if you set your computer to save your chat history for longer, is it stored in your local HDD

since your HDD doesn't exist anymore, then it's gone

regarding Microsoft Outlook, you can try to search with software that can recover from pst files

there are still chances to recover some files, but not all and everything depends which recovery software you use.

I too think she gave the drive somewhere/someone took the drive which used to have some files that doesn't want to leak away.

IMHO if that someone attempts to recover your data and look at them, their success rate depends on a number of factors, like:
Capacity of the drive
Volume of your data
Volume of the data that were written after the deletion
Experience of "someone"
etc

Anyhow, I believe * some * data can be recovered.

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if the settings on skype wasn't set to save history on the computer the data isn't gone, it didn't exist on the HDD in the first place, it's stored on skype's cloud

but with Microsoft Outlook it's another story

the way the .pst file work is that they increase the size as long as you continue to add to them.
Once you take away from them, they retain their size, that's why the chances to recover is high

i didn't used Microsoft Outlook for years, and maybe, on this days, the default settings on outlook is to compact the PST file automatically, after closing the program or @ X size or whatever (don't have it to check it out)

Possible - Yes
Probable - No

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Luke
Recovery Force Data Recovery

I guess the real question which we are all waiting for clarification on is: Are you looking to recover the data yourself, or worried about someone else recovering it?

To recover anything yourself, you'd need the hard drive back. If you're worried about someone else doing it, see Luke's comment above mine.

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As far as recovering deleted files is a trivial task, and it's quite possible to restore (unformat) data even after reformatting the disk surface (nullifying, overwriting with zero's or a pattern), I also think that only SecurityErase and like routines work the best. Hopefully you didn't store your important passwords and credentials and other sensitive data open/non-encrypted.

Why, in Windows XP and on even NTFS provides a decent locking and garbling feature. Everyone is to assess the risks: the more important data, the more comprehensive and multi-layered protection should be.

Actually, that's why so many youngsters and surfers prefer either virtual boxes or Live systems (e.g. from USB sticks), which leave *almost* no recoverable traces.