How to Delete Files Directly Without Sending Them to Recycle Bin

Last Updated: November 16, 2020 Tested

This wikiHow article will teach you the simple and easy steps to directly delete files without sending them to the Recycle Bin. Deleting files on the spot is a quick and convenient way to delete files without having to go into the Recycle Bin and manually delete them or empty it, which can sometimes be a pain.

Choose a Method

Setting Files to Always Permanently Delete by Default: Explains how to configure Windows to always permanently delete files.
Using the Keyboard Shortcut When Deleting Files: Explains how to use a keyboard shortcut to permanently delete files.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Setting Files to Always Permanently Delete by Default

1
Open the Recycle Bin Properties. Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop and click Properties.
- You can also Open File Explorer, click the ⯈ arrow to the leftmost part of the address bar, select Recycle Bin from the dropdown, and select "Recycle Bin properties" under the Manage tab which Recycle Bin should've opened to by default.
2
Choose the "Don't move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted." It's underneath the "Settings for selected location" section.
- In Windows XP, this will appear as a checkbox instead of a radio button and will be close to the top of the Recycle Bin Properties window.
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3
Save your changes. Click the OK button.
4
Finished. Deleting a file will permanently remove it from your computer instead of sending it to the Recycle Bin.
- To reverse your changes, re-open the Recycle Bin Properties and switch to the "Custom size" option. In Windows XP, uncheck the box that you previously checked.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using the Keyboard Shortcut When Deleting Files

1
Select one or more files to delete. You may do this in File Explorer or on the desktop.
2
Hold down the ⇧ Shift keyboard key.
3
Delete the file. Either press the Del keyboard key or right-click over one of the selected files and choose Delete.
4
Confirm the file deletion, if prompted. Click the Yes button if a message appears asking you to confirm whether you want to delete the selected file(s).

Community Q&A

Question

Is there a way around the 900 limit when permanently deleting files, without sending them to the trash bin?

Community Answer

Yes, but it is not about the number of files; it depends on the size.

Warnings

Be extremely careful when enabling this option to delete files. To prevent files from accidentally being deleted, make sure to enable the delete confirmation dialog. This can be done by checking the "Display delete confirmation dialog" checkbox in the Recycle Bin Properties.

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