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Two Methods:Changing the Right-Click Deletion OptionDeleting Just One File at a Time

If you're a power user of Windows or just work with many files, you'll realize that moving files to the Recycle Bin in order to delete them is a pain. Why can't you just delete them on the spot? It's actually fairly simple and easy to do so. Just follow these instructions and you'll be deleting files in Windows like a pro!

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Steps

  1. Delete Files Directly Without Sending Them to Recycle Bin Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    1
    Pick your method. There are two methods to directly deleting files in Windows.
    • Method 1 will show you how to delete files by right clicking on them and selecting Delete, which normally sends files to the Recycle Bin.
    • Method 2 allows you to send files to the Recycle Bin, but also allows you to permanently delete them when necessary.
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Method 1 of 2: Changing the Right-Click Deletion Option

  1. Delete Files Directly Without Sending Them to Recycle Bin Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    1
    Right click the Recycle Bin and select "Properties".
  2. Delete Files Directly Without Sending Them to Recycle Bin Step 3 Version 3.jpg
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    In the Recycle Bin Properties box, choose the "Do not move the files to the Recycle Bin" option.
  3. Delete Files Directly Without Sending Them to Recycle Bin Step 4 Version 3.jpg
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    Click the "OK" button.
  4. Delete Files Directly Without Sending Them to Recycle Bin Step 5 Version 3.jpg
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    After you have completed this, the actions that will usually send files to the Recycle Bin will permanently delete them.
    • You can reverse this by choosing the option "Custom Size" in Recycle Bin Properties. (Untick the option "Do not move the files to the Recycle Bin" in Windows XP.
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Method 2 of 2: Deleting Just One File at a Time

  1. Delete Files Directly Without Sending Them to Recycle Bin Step 6 Version 3.jpg
    1
    Right click the file that you want to delete permanently.
  2. Delete Files Directly Without Sending Them to Recycle Bin Step 7 Version 3.jpg
    2
    Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard.
  3. Delete Files Directly Without Sending Them to Recycle Bin Step 8 Version 3.jpg
    3
    While holding the Shift key, click Delete or press the Delete/Del button on you keyboard.
  4. Delete Files Directly Without Sending Them to Recycle Bin Step 9 Version 3.jpg
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    Confirm the file deletion and the file will be deleted permanently.
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Categories: Featured Articles | Computers and Electronics

In other languages:

Español: eliminar directamente los archivos sin enviarlos a la papelera de reciclaje, Italiano: Cancellare Direttamente un File Senza Inviarlo nel Cestino, Русский: удалять файлы без предварительной отправки в «Корзину», Português: Deletar Arquivos Diretamente Sem Enviá los à Lixeira, 中文: 不通过回收站直接删除文件

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