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Q171051: How to Bypass the Recycle Bin When Deleting Files

Article: Q171051
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 4.0 95
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbui kbusage
Last Modified: 09-AUG-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows 95 
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SUMMARY
=======

When you delete files in the Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 95 operating systems
graphical user interface, your files first go to the Recycle Bin so that they
may be recovered. When deleting a large amount of files, this process may not be
desirable because of the amount of time it takes to move them to the Recycle Bin
and then empty the Recycle Bin, essentially deleting them twice. There is an
easy way to bypass the Recycle Bin altogether.

NOTE: If you delete a file or folder from a resource that is not local (such as a
network computer), the file or folder does not go to the Recycle Bin, the item
is instantly deleted.

MORE INFORMATION
================

When deleting a folder or group of files:

1. Select the folder or group of files to be deleted.

2. Hold down the SHIFT key while pressing the DELETE key.

-or-

1. Open a command prompt window.

2. Use the MS-DOS command DEL to delete the folder or files.

NOTE: Be aware that after files are deleted in this manner, they cannot be
undeleted or recovered.

Additional query words: win95 deleting permanent

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Keywords          : kbui kbusage 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWin95search kbZNotKeyword3
Version           : 4.0 95
Issue type        : kbhowto

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