How to Delete Files Directly Without Sending Them to Recycle Bin on Windows 10

Introduction

 
The recycle bin is a special system folder that holds deleted files and folders. If the user has not deleted them permanently, then files and folders can be restored again to their original locations.
 
Some users don't want to send files and folders in the Recycle bin folder and want to delete them immediately. In this condition, he can enable the "Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted" feature by using the Recycle Bin properties option. While using this feature, the user must beware that the "Enable Confirmation Dialog" feature has been checked (selected). This prevents the accidental deletion of any files and folders from the system. It is a time-saving feature in the Windows family.
 
I have described in detail in my previous article on the topic, "How To Enable Delete Confirmation Dialog In Windows 10".
 
This tutorial will show you various ways how to delete all the files and folders directly without sending them to Recycle Bin in Windows 10.
 

Method 1. Through Command Prompt

 
By using the Command Prompt, the user can easily bypass the recycle bin when deleting any file. Follow the below instructions to proceed.
 
Step 1
 
From the Start menu, open the Run dialog box or you can press the "Window + R" key to open the RUN window.
 
Step 2
 
Type "cmd" and click on the "OK" button.
 
Step 3
 
A) Type the command given below in the command prompt, to delete any file directly without sending it to Recycle Bin.
 
del <File Path with extension>
 
For example, to delete the "sample.png" file, type the command as, "del O:\sample.png". 
 
Cmd
 
B) Type the command given below in the command prompt, to delete any folder with all its subdirectories without sending it to Recycle Bin.
 
rd /s <Folder Path>
 
For example, to delete the "Sample" folder, type the command as "rd /s O:\sample", where RD is used to removes the folder from the directory and /S is used to removes all subfolders and files.
 
Cmd
 

Method 2. Through Windows PowerShell

 
By using the Windows PowerShell, the user can easily bypass the recycle bin when deleting any files. Follow the below instructions to proceed.
 
Step 1
 
Open Windows PowerShell. (Alternatively, you can press the "Windows + X" key and click on "Windows PowerShell" to open it.)
 
Step 2
 
A) Type the command given below in the Windows PowerShell, to delete any file without sending it to Recycle Bin.
 
del <File Path with extension>
 
For example, to delete the "sample.png" file, type the command "del O:\sample.png".
 
Windows PowerShell Command
 
B) Type the command given below in the Windows PowerShell to delete any folder with all its subdirectories without sending it to the recycle bin.
 
del <Folder Path>
 
For example, to delete the "Sample" folder, type the command "del O:\sampledata".
 
Windows PowerShell Command
 

Method 3. Using Shortcut Keys

 
Press the "Shift + Delete" key to delete any files and folders without sending them to the recycle bin.
 

Method 4. Using Recycle Bin Properties

 
By using the Recycle Bin Properties option, the user can easily bypass the recycle bin when deleting any files an folders. Follow the below instructions to proceed.
 
Step 1
 
On the desktop, right-click on the Recycle Bin and select the "Properties" option.
 
Step 2
 
First, select the drive which you want to change the settings.
 
First select the drive
 
Step 3
 
Now, select (check) the "Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted" option and click on the "Apply" button to proceed.
 
check the feature
 
Note:
 
Make sure that the "Enable Confirmation Dialog" feature has been checked (selected). This prevents the accidental deletion of any files and folders from the system.
 
Note message
 

Conclusion

 
By following any of the above methods, you can delete all the files and folders directly without sending them to Recycle Bin in Windows 10.
 
I hope you enjoyed this article. Follow C# Corner to learn more new and amazing things about Windows 10.
 
Thanks for reading this article!


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