Yes the file is still on the HD. The only way to completely delete the file is to fully re-format the drive. Note: The deleted file is not easily accessible. It would only be accessible by someone who has the special software required to recover deleted files.

The file will stay on the drive until the area it was written is overwritten by something else. Even formatting the drive does not change that. I used to work for a company that does computer forensics and those guys could find all kinds of stuff even after multiple formats. The only way to make it go away for good is to wipe the file. Some encryption programs have wiping utilities in it, or you can use programs like Evidence Eliminator.

1) "Steps 1. Find a Low level Format Tool application online by searching freeware sites. 2. Format the partition on which you keep the files you want to get rid of, with the Low Level Format Tool. The easiest way is to find a bootable DOS floppy and copy the .exe program to it. 3. Reboot the computer using the floppy disk and run the tool. The physical space on the hard drive where your files are saved will be filled with zeros or random data. Aftewards, you can recreate the partition and store new files without any problems. Tips - Use a utility like BCWipe to wipe only the empty space on a hard drive. - To completely and securely wipe ALL data from one or all drives in a system, try DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke). DBAN is free Open Source Software. Warnings - While data can technically never be fully deleted on a hard drive, so-called "government wipes" make the data all but unrecoverable. The only way to absolutely ensure that all traces of previous data are deleted is to destroy the drive and platters. - It is nearly impossible to totally delete files in a hard drive unless you destroy the disk that is in the hard drive, otherwise, with some professional tools and equipment you can still read the data. - This is a very difficult process for amateurs. If you have any doubt in your mind about what you are doing, it is much safer to find a trained professional." Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Permanently-Remove-Files-from-Your-Hard-Drive 2) "Utilities To Permanently Erase Files Sometimes "delete" on your PC means "kinda sorta delete." Enhance your security by wiping out all traces of files." Source: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/collection/collid,1231-order,1-c,downloads/files.html 3) Secure File Deletion http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/security/fwerase.html

can never happen. I have seen data recovered from a hard drive that had been reformatted and rewritten with all sorts of cds and programs. Where i work, we can usually recover data from a drive that has been formatted a couple of times. the only way to truely erase that drive is to take it apart and run a magnet over the metal disks and then smash it with a hammer.

If you are only trying to hide files from non-professionals, regular disk wipe utilities will do the trick. Even consumers are figuring out that there exists un-delete programs. If you're trying to hide files from professionals, good luck. Hard drive forensics experts can do tricks that would amaze most people. This is not just my opinion.