nondeleted

Nondeleted refers to data or files that have not been intentionally removed or erased from a storage system. This contrasts with "deleted" data, which is marked for removal and may be recoverable through specific software or techniques. Nondeleted data is considered active and readily accessible by the operating system and applications.

In many computing contexts, when a file is deleted, the operating system typically marks the space it occupies as available for new data rather than immediately overwriting the existing content. This process allows for undelete or file recovery operations, where the "deleted" data can sometimes be restored if it hasn't been overwritten. Nondeleted data, therefore, represents the state of files and information that have not undergone this marking process.

The distinction between deleted and nondeleted data is crucial in digital forensics, data recovery, and data security. Forensic investigators may attempt to recover "deleted" data to find evidence, while security professionals ensure that sensitive data is properly erased to prevent unauthorized access. Nondeleted data is the standard state of information being used and stored, while deleted data represents a state of potential or past removal.