Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) Practice Exam

When a file or folder is deleted in a Windows operating system, the complete path, including the original file name, is stored in the INF02 hidden file. This file acts as a record of items that have been deleted and can be essential for forensic investigations. When the user deletes a file, although it may seem to disappear from view, the operating system retains metadata about that file, which includes its original path and name. This recovery mechanism ensures that files can potentially be restored from the Recycle Bin, and for deeper forensic work, the INF02 file provides crucial details about the file's deletion event.

The other options, while they may hold some relevance in specific contexts, do not directly store the complete path of deleted files. The Recycle Bin, for instance, temporarily stores deleted files but does not capture permanent records of their paths once they are deleted from the bin. System logs only document system activity and changes, not specific file operations like deletions. User profiles contain personal settings and data but do not typically include a comprehensive log of deleted file paths. Hence, the INF02 file is the most relevant answer in this context.