Remove files or folders you no longer need.
Cristopher Thomas
crisnoh@gmail.com
Shaun McCance
shaunm@gnome.org
Luc Pionchon
pionchon.luc@gmail.com 2011
Claude Paroz
claude@2xlibre.net 2011

# Delete files and folders

If you don't want a file or folder any more, you can delete it.

When you delete an item it is moved to the Trash folder, where it is stored until you empty the trash. Items stored in the Trash folder can be restored to their original location if you decide you need them, or if they were accidentally deleted.

Select the item you want to delete by clicking it once.

Press Ctrl Delete on your keyboard. Alternatively, drag the item to the Trash in the sidebar.

To delete files permanently, and to free up disk space on your computer, you need to empty the trash. To empty the trash, right-click Trash in the sidebar and select Empty Trash. Alternatively, you can permanently delete individual items in the trash by navigating to the trash from the sidebar or the Go menu. Select files you want to delete permanently and press Ctrl Delete on your keyboard, or right-click and select Delete Permanently.

Deleted files on a removable device may not be visible on other operating systems, such Windows or Mac OS. The files are still there, and will be available when you plug the device back into your computer.

# Permanently delete a file

You can immediately delete a file permanently, without having to send it to the trash first.

Select the item you want to delete.

Press and hold the Shift key, then press the Delete key on your keyboard.

Because you cannot undo this, you will be asked to confirm that you want to delete the file or folder.

If you frequently need to delete files without using the trash (for example, if you often work with sensitive data), you can add a Delete entry to the right-click menu for files and folders. Click Edit Preferences and select the Behavior tab. Select Include a Delete command that bypasses Trash.