The basic steps to delete a file

To delete a file, right-click on it and select Delete from the menu that appears. The file moves to your Recycle Bin (on Windows) or Trash (on Mac), where it stays until you empty that folder. If you want to skip the Recycle Bin entirely, hold Shift while pressing Delete on Windows, or press Command + Option + Delete on Mac — this removes the file permanently without recovery.

You can also select a file and press the Delete key on your keyboard, which sends it to the Recycle Bin or Trash. If you have multiple files to remove, click the first one, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac), and click each additional file you want to delete, then press Delete or right-click and choose Delete.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click a file and select Delete to move it to your Recycle Bin or Trash, where you can recover it later if needed.
  • Hold Shift while pressing Delete on Windows (or Command + Option + Delete on Mac) to permanently remove a file without sending it to Recycle Bin or Trash first.
  • You can select multiple files at once by holding Ctrl or Command and clicking each one, then delete them all together.
  • Files in your Recycle Bin or Trash remain there until you empty the folder, which frees up storage space on your computer.

Recovering a deleted file from Recycle Bin or Trash

If you delete a file by mistake, you can usually recover it. On Windows, open your Recycle Bin (usually on your desktop or accessible from File Explorer), find the file you want to restore, right-click it, and select Restore. The file returns to its original location. On Mac, click the Trash icon in your dock, find the file, right-click it, and select Put Back.

This recovery option only works if you have not yet emptied your Recycle Bin or Trash. Once you empty it, the file is much harder to recover and usually requires specialized software or professional help. For this reason, it is a good habit to check your Recycle Bin or Trash before emptying it.

Emptying your Recycle Bin or Trash

When your Recycle Bin or Trash fills up, it takes up storage space on your computer. To empty it on Windows, right-click the Recycle Bin icon and select Empty Recycle Bin. On Mac, right-click the Trash icon in your dock and select Empty Trash. You can also open the Recycle Bin or Trash folder, and look for an Empty button or option in the menu.

Once you empty your Recycle Bin or Trash, the files are permanently removed from your computer and the storage space is freed up. This is why it is important to review what is in there before you empty it — you cannot undo this action through normal means.

Deleting files from external drives and cloud storage

Deleting a file from an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or SD card works the same way as deleting from your computer: right-click the file and select Delete. However, some external drives do not have a Recycle Bin or Trash, so the file may be permanently removed right away. Check your drive's settings or manual to see how it handles deleted files.

For cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, right-click the file in the web interface or the folder on your computer and select Delete or Move to Trash. These services usually keep deleted files in a trash folder for 30 days before removing them permanently, giving you time to recover them if needed. Check the service's trash or recycle bin to restore a file before that window closes.

Deleting folders and their contents

To delete a folder, right-click it and select Delete, just as you would with a single file. The entire folder and everything inside it moves to your Recycle Bin or Trash. If you want to delete a folder permanently without using Recycle Bin or Trash, hold Shift while pressing Delete on Windows, or press Command + Option + Delete on Mac.

Be careful when deleting folders, especially if you are not sure what files are inside them. If you delete a folder by mistake, you can recover it the same way you would recover a single file — by opening your Recycle Bin or Trash and selecting Restore or Put Back.

What to do if a file will not delete

Sometimes a file refuses to delete because another program is using it. Close any programs that might be accessing the file — for example, if you are trying to delete a document, close your word processor first. Then try deleting the file again. On Windows, you can also try restarting your computer, which closes all running programs and often allows you to delete stubborn files.

If a file still will not delete, check whether you have permission to delete it. Right-click the file, select Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac), and look at the permissions section. If the file is marked as read-only or locked, you may need to change those settings before you can delete it. On Windows, uncheck the Read-only box in Properties. On Mac, click the lock icon next to Sharing & Permissions and change your access level to Read & Write.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a file after I empty my Recycle Bin or Trash?

Recovery becomes much more difficult after emptying your Recycle Bin or Trash, but it may still be possible using data recovery software. These programs scan your hard drive for traces of deleted files. However, success is not may provide, especially if your computer has written new data over the space where the file was stored. Professional data recovery services exist but are expensive.

What is the difference between Delete and Shift + Delete?

Regular Delete sends a file to your Recycle Bin or Trash, where you can recover it. Shift + Delete (or Command + Option + Delete on Mac) permanently removes the file without using Recycle Bin or Trash. Use Shift + Delete only when you are certain you do not need the file again.

Does deleting a file free up storage space immediately?

When you delete a file to your Recycle Bin or Trash, it still takes up storage space until you empty the bin or trash. Only after you empty it does the space become available for new files. If you need to free up space right away, delete the file and then empty your Recycle Bin or Trash.

Can I delete a file that is currently open?

Most programs will not let you delete a file while it is open in that program. Close the file first, then delete it. If you try to delete an open file, you will usually see an error message saying the file is in use. Once you close the program, the file can be deleted normally.