How do I delete files permanently from my hard drive? I installed extra effects for my photobooth, but the photobooth program crashes everytime I try to use them. I've deleted them to the trash, but the effects are still showing up in photobooth. How do I permanently get rid of them??

http://ezinearticles.com/?id=1145950 Personally, I use TrueCrypt which sets up an encrypted file (virtual drive) on my drive. Then no one can recover the files that where deleted in my virtual drive. http://www.truecrypt.org/

For a clean removal, deleting folders is NOT the way to do it. You end up leaving a ton of registry entries and sys32 DLLs behind. Add/Remove Programs is a cleaner method. Microsoft has an uninstaller that cleans better than Add/Remove Programs, but i don't remember what it's called. don't ask me why they didn't just include it in the OS... personally, i use CCleaner (short for Crap Cleaner), which allows you to scan for old files, cached files, temp files, unused registry keys, etc. I have also heard good things from people about RevoUninstaller, which is supposed to allow you to revert back to before you installed an application.