How to Delete a File On Your Computer

Deletion is a process that makes files inaccessible to most users, including yourself. Deleting files is very simple on a computer.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Simple Methods on Windows

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    Locate the file to be deleted. Browse File Explorer, and once you find the file to be deleted, right click, and click on "Delete", or press the Delete key, or drag the file to the Recycle Bin.
    • Provide confirmation if needed.
    • Hold ⇧ Shift to permanently delete the file.
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    2
    Permanently delete the file. In the Recycle Bin, right-click, choose "Delete", and confirm that you want to permanently delete the file.
    • To empty the Recycle Bin, right-click on the Recycle Bin, choose "Empty Recycle Bin", and provide confirmation, or under Recycle Bin tools, choose "Empty Recycle Bin".
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Command Prompt on Windows

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    Know the file you want to permanently delete. This method deletes the file permanently, so be careful with it.
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    2
    Open Command Prompt. Press ⊞ Win+X. Then choose "Command Prompt".
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    3
    Type the following command: del/ erase filepath. This will permanently delete the file. If you choose to delete a folder, type -s at the end of it to delete all of the subdirectories.
    • Be careful what you delete; running this line with C:\ as the filepath will wipe your entire C drive (the drive with Windows on it).
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Simple Methods on Mac/Linux

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    Locate the file to be deleted. Browse using the built-in Finder.
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    Right click on the file. Then click "Move to Trash".
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    Empty the Trash. Right-click on the Trash icon, then choose "Empty Trash". This will permanently delete all of the files moved to it.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using Terminal on Mac/Linux

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    1
    Know the file you want to permanently delete. This method deletes the file permanently, so be careful with it.
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    2
    Open Terminal. Find it on your dock, or search for the app name.
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    3
    Type the following command: rm filepath. This will immediately delete the file permanently.
    • If you want to delete a folder, use rm -rf filepath instead. This will delete all of the subdirectories as well.
    • Use sudo to delete files you do not have permission to delete. Be very careful what you enter there, as it only takes eight bytes of code to wipe your whole hard drive.
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Warnings

  • In some cases, file deletion is permanent. Be careful with what you delete on what device.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Beware of internet trolls that tell you to delete crucial files for your computer. Everything outside of the Users and Program Files/Applications folder are important files needed to keep your operating system running. Don't delete System32, and don't delete your hard drive.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 25,403 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: January 26, 2019
Views: 25,403
Categories: Basic Computer Skills
Article SummaryX

1. Click and hold the file.
2. Drag and drop the file over the Trash/Recycle Bin.
3. Empty the Trash/Recycle Bin by right-clicking on it and choosing Empty Recycle Bin or Empty Trash.

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