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Lavasoft File Shredder 2009 — Complete Review and Features

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Troubleshooting Lavasoft File Shredder 2009: Common Issues & FixesLavasoft File Shredder 2009 was designed to securely delete files so they cannot be recovered. If you still use this legacy utility, you may run into compatibility, performance, or security-related issues on modern systems. This article walks through the most common problems users encounter with Lavasoft File Shredder 2009 and provides practical fixes, safety notes, and modern alternatives.

Important safety note

Lavasoft File Shredder 2009 is an outdated product. Before using it, back up important data and consider modern, supported shredders that receive security updates. If you must use the 2009 version, run it in a controlled environment (e.g., a virtual machine) to reduce risk.

Compatibility problems

Symptoms:

  • Program fails to start on Windows ⁄11 or reports missing DLLs.
  • Crashes or freezes during launch or while shredding.
  • UI elements render incorrectly.

Causes:

  • The application was developed for older Windows versions (Windows XP/Vista/7), uses deprecated APIs, or depends on libraries no longer present in modern Windows installs.

Fixes:

  1. Run in compatibility mode:
    • Right-click the program executable → Properties → Compatibility tab → check “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and choose Windows XP (SP3) or Windows 7.
  2. Run as Administrator:
    • Right-click → Run as administrator.
  3. Install required runtimes:
    • Install older Visual C++ redistributables if the app complains about missing DLLs (e.g., MSVCR80.dll/MSVCP90.dll). Only download redistributables from Microsoft.
  4. Use a virtual machine:
    • Create a VM with Windows 7 or XP (if licensing/licensing/driver constraints allow) and run the shredder inside it.
  5. Check Event Viewer:
    • Open Event Viewer → Windows Logs → Application to find crash/error codes and search those specific codes for targeted fixes.

Shredding fails or files remain recoverable

Symptoms:

  • Shredder reports success but files can still be recovered with recovery tools.
  • Partially shredded files or zero-byte files remain.

Causes:

  • Modern filesystems (NTFS) and SSDs complicate secure deletion: files can be stored in multiple places, snapshots/volume shadow copies may hold copies, and wear-leveling on SSDs prevents reliable overwrite of the same physical cells.
  • Shredder may only delete directory entries without overwriting data.
  • Temporary files, backups, or system restore points may retain data.

Fixes:

  1. Use secure-delete methods matched to storage type:
    • For HDDs: multiple overwrites (DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann) can reduce recoverability.
    • For SSDs: use ATA Secure Erase tools from the drive manufacturer or built-in disk utilities that issue secure-erase commands.
  2. Disable and clear Volume Shadow Copies/System Restore:
    • Windows: System Properties → System Protection → Configure → Turn off system protection, then delete restore points.
  3. Wipe free space after shredding:
    • Use a tool that securely wipes free disk space to overwrite remnants (note: on SSDs this is less effective).
  4. Check for backups:
    • Cloud sync (OneDrive, Dropbox), automatic backups, or other copies may preserve the file. Delete/overwrite those separately.
  5. Verify with recovery tools:
    • After shredding and wiping free space, verify using a reputable recovery scanner to confirm data is unrecoverable.

Performance issues — slow shredding or high CPU/disk usage

Symptoms:

  • Shredding takes extremely long.
  • System becomes unresponsive during shredding.

Causes:

  • Large files or many small files cause heavy I/O.
  • Multiple overwrite passes are CPU/disk intensive.
  • Running on older hardware or on a system with active background tasks (antivirus, indexing, backups).

Fixes:

  1. Limit scope:
    • Shred only necessary files or folders; avoid mass-shredding entire drives unless intended.
  2. Reduce overwrite passes:
    • If you used an excessive overwrite method and a lower-strength method is acceptable, reduce passes (trade-off: lower absolute security).
  3. Schedule during idle times:
    • Run shredding when the system is idle or in Safe Mode (where fewer background tasks run).
  4. Exclude antivirus interference:
    • Temporarily pause real-time antivirus scanning during shredding (risk-aware).
  5. Use modern multi-threaded tools:
    • Newer shredders can be more efficient; consider alternatives if speed is critical.

Installer or activation problems

Symptoms:

  • Installer refuses to run, shows errors, or license/activation fails.

Causes:

  • Installer signatures/servers are expired or the activation servers are offline.
  • The installer is incompatible with 64-bit systems or modern installers lack required system components.

Fixes:

  1. Use compatibility mode for the installer executable.
  2. Run installer as Administrator.
  3. If activation fails due to server shutdown, the product may be permanently unusable in its licensed form. Consider switching to a maintained product.
  4. Check for official archived installers from Lavasoft (now known as Adaware) only from official sources; avoid downloading copies from unknown sites.

Crashes, freezes, or unexpected behavior during shredding

Symptoms:

  • Application crashes while shredding or freezes until forced closed.

Causes:

  • Software bugs, corrupted installation, or conflicts with other system components (shell extensions, security software).

Fixes:

  1. Reinstall the application:
    • Uninstall cleanly, reboot, and install fresh.
  2. Check shell extensions:
    • Use ShellExView or similar to disable non-Microsoft shell extensions that may conflict.
  3. Boot into Safe Mode:
    • If it works in Safe Mode, a third-party service or driver is likely the cause.
  4. Inspect logs:
    • Event Viewer and application logs (if present) can indicate specific faulting modules.
  5. Run memory and disk diagnostics:
    • Faulty RAM or disk errors can cause random crashes. Use Windows Memory Diagnostic and chkdsk.

Security and trust concerns

Points:

  • The 2009 version is old and may have unpatched vulnerabilities.
  • Lavasoft rebranded to Adaware and product lines changed; older installers may be distributed with unwanted bundled software if downloaded from untrusted sources.

Recommendations:

  1. Prefer maintained tools with recent security audits.
  2. Download only from official vendor pages or verified archives.
  3. Run any legacy tool in an isolated environment (VM) and avoid using it on machines with sensitive data unless necessary.
  4. Consider open-source alternatives where the code can be reviewed.

Modern alternatives (short list)

  • BleachBit — actively maintained, can wipe free space and shred files.
  • DBAN (Darik’s Boot and Nuke) — for full-disk wiping on HDDs (not for SSDs).
  • Manufacturer SSD secure-erase utilities — for SSDs (Samsung Magician, Intel SSD Toolbox).
  • VeraCrypt — for securely deleting containers by re-encrypting or deleting container files, and full-disk encryption for future protection.

Quick troubleshooting checklist

  • Run the program in Compatibility Mode and as Administrator.
  • Ensure required runtimes (Visual C++ redistributables) are present.
  • Verify no backups, cloud copies, or shadow copies retain the file.
  • For HDDs: overwrite free space after shredding; for SSDs: use Secure Erase.
  • Reinstall if the app crashes; use a VM if compatibility or security is a concern.
  • Consider replacing Lavasoft File Shredder 2009 with a modern, supported tool.

If you want, I can:

  • Provide step-by-step commands for wiping free space or secure-erase an SSD, or
  • Suggest a supported modern shredder based on your OS and storage type.

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