Which file system metadata marks a deleted file in Windows 7?

Prepare for the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator v11 exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations. Get exam-ready efficiently!

Multiple Choice

Which file system metadata marks a deleted file in Windows 7?

Explanation:
In NTFS, the file’s metadata lives in the Master File Table (MFT). When you delete a file, Windows removes the directory entry and marks the corresponding MFT record as deleted. The actual data blocks aren’t immediately erased, so the content can sometimes be recovered until those blocks are overwritten. The Recycle Bin is a user-facing feature, not the underlying deletion flag, and simply removing a pointer to data wouldn’t reflect the actual NTFS deletion state. Therefore, the deletion is indicated by the MFT entry being marked as deleted.

In NTFS, the file’s metadata lives in the Master File Table (MFT). When you delete a file, Windows removes the directory entry and marks the corresponding MFT record as deleted. The actual data blocks aren’t immediately erased, so the content can sometimes be recovered until those blocks are overwritten. The Recycle Bin is a user-facing feature, not the underlying deletion flag, and simply removing a pointer to data wouldn’t reflect the actual NTFS deletion state. Therefore, the deletion is indicated by the MFT entry being marked as deleted.

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