BHStyle - HD CleanUp Windows

This is an involved step which many people may not be able to do right away. If you cannot do this step immediately, then see the tutorial called BHS-Shredding-Free-Space
At this point you should understand how to create and use TrueCrypt hidden volumes in order to safeguard any sensitive information. Therefore, you should *NOT* keep any such sensitive information on your hard disk.
At this stage, there are two possibilities:
1. You have never had any sensitive information on your hard disk. In this case, read this section but you can certainly skip it.
2. Up until now, you have stored sensitive information on your hard disk. If so, then you MUST read this section.
If you have ever used this computer to access sensitive information, then all of the security and precautions in the world are totally useless and futile because all someone has to do is access what is left of that sensitive information. I cannot stress t
You can have the most secure TrueCrypt volumes, use TOR, and be the safest most secure user in the world. If you have not made sure that *ALL* remnants of any sensitive information are UTTERLY REMOVED from your hard disk, then all of that effort is totally pointless.
You MUST take these actions to safeguard your hard disk, or otherwise you might as well throw away this guide and follow none of the advice herein.
First, I understand that it is troublesome to have to re-format a computer, to back everything up, and reinstall everything. However, if you have ever had sensitive information on your machine, that is what you have to do. Take the following steps:
1. Obtain a removable harddrive or usb flash drive large enough to store anything you need to save.
2. Set up a truecrypt hidden volume on that harddrive big enough to hold all of that information.
3. Set up the truecrypt outer volume as in the previous
4. Be sure you the hidden volume will have enough space to store all that you are backing up.
5. Copy ALL data you need to back up/save into that hidden volume.
*** IMPORTANT, READ THIS ***
If you have ever used this system to access sensitive information, then you must assume that the sensitive information or remnants of it can be *anywhere* on your hard disk. Therefore, you need to move *EVERYTHING* you intend to save into the hidden truecrypt container.
You do not know where sensitive data might be, so you are assuming it can be anywhere. This way you still have ALL of your data and you have lost nothing.
A good analogy is toxic waste. You don't know which barrel might contain the toxic waste, so you treat *ALL* the barrels as potentially toxic. This is the
surest way you can protect yourself.
You might be saying, "I have family photos, music, movies that I would have to move to the hidden volume." That is perfectly fine. Remember that you can access that hidden volume just as if it was a drive letter.
In fact, ideally, *ALL* of the content on your computer (assuming you value your privacy) should be protected anyways. You lose nothing by securing all of that data.
6. Once you have copied everything you intend to copy. dismount your hidden volume, reboot your computer, and re-mount your hidden volume to make sure everything is there.
7. Now it is time to re-format your entire hard drive. Re-install your operating system of choice (such as Windows 7), and start with a clean slate.
8. Once you have reinstalled your operating system from scratch, follow sections one through five of this guide to reach this point, and then proceed.
The next tutorial is called Shredding Free Space. To access it you will now need to request that tutorial.