4 Ways To Delete Files Or Folders In Windows 11

How do you delete a file or folder in Windows? In Windows 10 and earlier versions, we would right-click on a file or folder and then click the Delete option. But that has slightly changed with Windows 11.

In Windows 11, when you right-click on a file, the new context menu appears instead of the classic context menu we are all familiar with. The new context menu shows a delete icon at the top of the list instead of a Delete option.

Following are the four ways to delete a file or folder in Windows 11.

Method 1 of 4

Delete a file via the context menu in Windows 11

Step 1: Perform a right-click on the file or folder you want to delete and then click on the Delete icon (refer to the picture below).

NOTE: You can select multiple files or folders by holding the Ctrl key and then clicking on the file or folder you want.

Step 2: By default, Windows 11 does not show a delete confirmation dialog, but if you get the delete confirmation dialog, click on the Yes button to delete the selected file or folder.

Method 2 of 4

Delete a file or folder using keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11

Step 1: Select the file or folder you want to delete using the arrow keys.

Step 2: Once selected, press the Delete key on the keyboard.

Step 3: If asked for confirmation, click on the Yes button.

Tip: To permanently delete a file/folder by bypassing the Recycle Bin, please use Shift + Delete hotkey after selecting the file/folder.

Method 3 of 4

Delete a file or folder via File Explorer in Windows 11

Step 1: Go to the folder where the file/folder you want to delete is present.

Step 2: Select the file or folder you want to delete by clicking on it.

Step 3: Finally, to delete it, click the Delete icon in the File Explorer toolbar (refer to the picture below).

If asked for confirmation, click the Yes button.

Method 4 of 4

Delete a file/folder via the old context menu in Windows 11

Step 1: Right-click on the file/folder you want to delete and then click Show more options to open the classic/old context menu.

Step 2: Here, click the Delete option. If asked for confirmation, click the Yes button.

Our how to view recently deleted files in Windows 10/11 guide might also interest you.