This article quickly and easily explains how to delete a file without first being moved to the trash. This is a very useful feature to delete unnecessary files without them being parked in the trash by forcing you to delete them a second time or to empty the system trash periodically.
Choose a Method
- Enable Direct File Deletion: This section explains how to configure Windows so that deleted files are directly and permanently deleted from the system.
- Use a Hot Key Combination to Delete a File: This section explains how to use a Windows key combination to directly and permanently delete a file without it being moved to the recycle bin.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Enable Direct File Deletion
Step 1. Access the Windows recycle bin configuration properties
Select the trash can icon with the right mouse button, then click on the Properties item from the context menu that will appear.
Alternatively, you can click on the "⯈" icon on the left side of the address bar of the "File Explorer" window, select the Trash option from the drop-down menu that will appear and choose the "Trash Properties" item displayed within the group "Manage" on the Trash Tools tab
Step 2. Select the option "Do not move files to the trash
Remove files immediately. "It is located within the" Settings for the selected path "section.
If you are using Windows XP, the indicated option is displayed as a check button instead of a radio button and is located at the top of the "Properties - Trash" window
Step 3. Save the new settings
Click on the OK button.
Step 4. Finished
At this point, when you delete a file it will be deleted immediately from your computer without being temporarily moved to the recycle bin.
To restore the previous configuration of the Windows recycle bin, open the "Properties - Recycle Bin" window again and select the "Custom size" option. If you are using Windows XP, uncheck the check button you selected in the previous step
Method 2 of 2: Use a Hotkey Combination to Delete a File
Step 1. Select the files to delete
Use the "File Explorer" system window or your computer desktop.
Step 2. Hold down the ⇧ Shift key on your keyboard
Step 3. Delete the selected files
Press the Delete key on the keyboard or select one of the highlighted files with the right mouse button and choose the Delete item from the context menu that will appear.
Step 4. If necessary, confirm that you want to delete the files in question
Click on the Yes button located inside the message confirming the deletion of the selected files.
