While managing and organizing files, you might want to delete unwanted files and folders. Windows 11 offers multiple ways to delete a file.
The following are some easy ways to delete a file or folder on a Windows 11 PC.
NOTE: With default settings, all deleted files are automatically moved to the Recycle Bin. If you wish to view a recently deleted a file or need to restore a file, open the Recycle Bin, find the file, right-click it, and then click the Restore option.
Method 1 of 5
Delete a file via the right-click (context) menu in Windows 11
Step 1: Right-click the file that you want to delete and then click the Delete icon.
Step 2: If you see the delete confirmation prompt, click the Yes button to move the deleted file to the Recycle Bin. You can select multiple files by holding the Ctrl key and then clicking the files you want to select.
Method 2 of 5
Use a hotkey to delete a file in Windows 11
Step 1: In a folder, use the arrow keys to select the file you would like to delete.
Step 2: After selecting a file or folder, press the Delete key.
Tip: You may hold down the Shift key and then press the Delete key to permanently delete the file without sending it to the Recycle Bin.
Step 3: If asked for confirmation, please click the Yes button.
Method 3 of 5
Another way to delete a file via File Explorer in Windows 11
Step 1: Use the mouse or the arrow keys to select the file you want to delete.
Step 2: Once the file is selected, click the Delete icon in the File Explorer toolbar to delete the file.
Step 3: If you get the delete confirmation prompt, click the Yes button.
Method 4 of 5
Use drag and drop to delete a file in Windows 11
Step 1: Drag and drop the file you want to delete over to the Recycle Bin icon to move it to the Recycle Bin instantly.
You can also use this method to delete multiple files. Hold down the Control key and then click on the files you want to select.
Method 5 of 5
Delete a file via Command Prompt in Windows 11
Please note that the command will permanently delete the file instead of sending it to the Recycle Bin.
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, type CMD in the Start menu or taskbar search, right-click the Command Prompt’s entry in the search results, and then click the Run as administrator option.
Click the Yes button when you see the User Account Control prompt.
Step 2: At the Command Prompt window, use the following command to delete the file:
del /f PathToTheFile
For instance, to delete a file located on my desktop:
del /f C:\Users\IntoWindows\Desktop\Note.txt
NOTE: To get the path to a file, right-click the file that you want to delete, and then click the Copy as path option.
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