Replace built-in shell Delete?

[eraser__1]

Hi.

I'm wondering if there is a windows registry key or if an option can be added to eraser, that allows me to replace the built-in windows delete function with eraser (at least within the Explorer shell).

Basically I want to be able to highlight files and hit my Del key and it use eraser instead of using windows delete or recycle bin and then having to empty recycle bin or use the context menu options.

I don't delete files I want undeleted, so this would be ideal for set it and forget it security.

Thanks!

p.s. I dug through the windows registry looking for a key that maybe showed the path of the built in delete function...I was hoping there was a delete=cmd type key but it looks like it's most likely built into the kernel or a dll somewhere and would require the command to be hooked/intercepted maybe.

[Joel]

Unfortunately no, I don't think there is one. We think it's a good idea (to implement that), but it'll require hacking into Windows internals which I don't think we'd want to do due to the danger of messing vitals up.

Joel

[eraser__1]

Maybe just hook the delete key (from the keyboard using windows API) instead of actually changing something internal.

[Overwriter]

I was rather hoping an Eraser “catch all” was going to be implemented into Eraser V6.

[Joel]

Maybe just hook the delete key (from the keyboard using windows API) instead of actually changing something internal.

Then what happens if you press delete in Excel? If you press delete in Explorer, how will we know which file to delete and which are selected? These problems can be fixed, but the amount of effort put into it is tremendous, and it is not high on our priority list. We have other issues directly related to security to fix, unfortunately.

Even if they can be worked around, they are worked around using knowledge of Windows, which as of now I am still reluctant to do. This idea may never see the light of day.

You can Trac it, but don't expect anything.

Regards,
Joel

[Overwriter]

Hi eraser__1

How about you delete things as normal and then erase your recycle bin ? The catch all method I mentioned (hopefully in V6) will not allow a user to delete their recycle bin but “encourage” them to erase it.

There are things with Eraser that we normal users have no idea of and I trust Joel to do his best taking these things into account, I suggest you do the same as me and let him do his thing !

[Joel]

Well yeah I guess I wasn't clear, I kept getting kicked out of the forum...

I don't want to implement it because it will involve us meddling with Windows internals which is risky (and a lot of reverse-engineering and research on our part). This may compromise on the reliability of Eraser (who wants to be associated with system crashes?) resulting in more support and more bug-hunting which will have to be repeated with every release of Windows.

Remember how when Vista first came put we had all these "stability" issues? They are more accurately described as "programming errors" by using undocumented behaviour. I avoid it completely like the plague as if Public APIs are not there we should not break into Windows and meddle with internals.

Joel

[Overwriter]

I kept getting kicked out of the forum...

That happens to me a lot here, it is a nightmare posting sometimes.

[Joel]

Totally. Anyway, I just want to put it on record that I like this idea, just that I don't see any reasonable way of implementing this short of digging into internals and risk breaking something... haha I guess this is the third time I'm saying it, in a different form...

Joel

[Joel]

Oh, by the way, this has been tasked for the v6.1/6.2 timeframe, we'll look into it again then.

[ItsLife]

I was wondering if this feature (which I think would be great to have) is still being considered for version 6?

[Joel]

Yep, will eventually be implemented.

Joel

[emphero]

Maybe just hook the delete key (from the keyboard using windows API) instead of actually changing something internal.

sounds very error-prone