Windows 7 / Getting Started

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Deleting files and folders

You need to know how to get rid of unneeded files and folders to free space on your hard drive. To delete files, folders, or shortcuts, follow these steps:

1. Open the window in Windows Explorer that holds the files or folders that need to be given the old heave-ho.
2. Select all the files, folders, or shortcuts to be deleted.
3. Press the Delete key or choose Delete from the Organize button's dropdown menu on the window's toolbar.
   If the Classic menus are displayed in the Explorer window, you can also choose File → Delete; if not, press Alt+FD. If you're really motivated, you can drag the selected items and drop them on the Recycle Bin desktop icon.
4. Click the Yes button in the Confirm File Delete or Confirm Multiple File Delete dialog box that asks whether you want to send the selected items to the Recycle Bin.

Windows 7 puts all items that you delete in the Recycle Bin, its version of the trash can. Anything you delete anywhere in Windows goes into the Recycle Bin and stays there until you either retrieve the deleted item or empty the Recycle Bin.

Note that the Recycle Bin icon is the one permanent item on the Windows desktop. To open the Recycle Bin window, simply double-click the icon on the desktop.

Use the following tips to work efficiently with the Recycle Bin:

• To fill the Recycle Bin: Select the folders or files you no longer need, drag their icons to the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop, and drop them in.
• To rescue stuff from the Recycle Bin: Open the Recycle Bin and then select the icons for the items you want to restore. Next, click the Restore This Item button (if only one item is selected) or the Restore the Selected Items button (if multiple items are selected) on the Recycle Bin window's toolbar.

If the Classic menus are displayed, you can also choose File → Restore to remove the selected item or items; if not, you can press Alt+FE. Also, you can always drag the icons for the files and folders you want to save out of the Recycle Bin and drop them in the desired location.

• To rescue all the stuff in the Recycle Bin: Open the Recycle Bin and click the Restore All Items button on the Recycle Bin window's toolbar. Note that this button is replaced by the Restore This Item or Restore the Selected Items button when you select one or more items.
• To empty the Recycle Bin: Open the Recycle Bin and click the Empty the Recycle Bin button on Recycle Bin window's toolbar.
  If the Classic menus are displayed, you can also choose File → Empty Recycle Bin. If the menus are not displayed, press Alt+FB.

Warning Keep in mind that choosing the Empty Recycle Bin command immediately gets rid of everything in the Recycle Bin window. Don't ever empty the Recycle Bin until after you examine the contents and are absolutely sure that you'll never need to use any of those items ever again (or you've backed up the files on disks or some other media, such as CD-ROM or DVD discs).

If you hold down the Shift key when pressing the Delete key, Windows displays a Delete File dialog box that asks you to confirm the permanent deletion of the selected items. If you click the Yes button or press Enter, whatever you targeted for deletion does not go to the Recycle Bin, does not pass Go and does not collect $200. Rather, the item is instantly (and permanently) removed from your computer.