How can I delete multiple full folders without Recycle Bin?

ship69 · 02 Sep 2020

Hello

How can I securely delete multiple folders within folder (which are full of files) without sending them to the recycle bin?

- Holding down Shift and hitting the Del does not work.
- Neither does Control/Del.
- CMD prompt wants confirmation for every directory

Thanks

J

EDIT:
- I am keen to not install any 3rd party software unless I absolutely have to.
- My data is often on a memory stick and if so will be encrypted using BitLocker.

dalchina · 02 Sep 2020

- Holding down Shift and hitting the Del does not work.

- odd..

For difficult cases I like
Emco Unlockit (free) which will delete selected items - files or folders- on restart if there's no other way.
It also allows multiple folder selection, but does not wipe the space.

You mention secure deletion.. a number of 3rd party utilities add a convenient wipe function to the context menu.
For example, the well-known Glary Utilities does this- and you can select multiple folders, rt click, then click 'Wipe with Glary Utities'.
Giveaway of Pro version:
PC Software Download Deals

There will be many ways to do this, so expect more ideas.

ship69 · 02 Sep 2020

I don't really want install anything on all my computers (and remember to re-install if/when I re-install Windows)

TBH, I find it unbelievably irritating that this is SO hard!

To delete say 10GB of data in a single folder (that contains multiple folders) on a memory stick seems to take about half an hour, and even then the data is not safe...

Why doesn't something simple like Shift/Del work!?!
Or a simple command in the CMD shell.

[GRRRR]

J

dalchina · 02 Sep 2020

Thank you for your reply. It might have saved me posting had you specified no 3rd party progs. Good luck.

TairikuOkami · 02 Sep 2020

ship69 said:

- CMD prompt wants confirmation for every directory

Have you used quiet mode? If unable to remove, it should skip without asking.

Code:

Files:
del "%LocalAppData%\Temp" /s /f /q

Folders:
rd "%LocalAppData%\Temp" /s /q

ship69 · 02 Sep 2020

> "%LocalAppData%\Temp"What is being assumed here?e.g. If my folder was in the root directory of my memory stick and was called say "MyStuff", what should I enter?

PS Btw, because it is on a memory stick I am using BitLocker. Could that be why Shift/Del is putting everything through the Recycle Bin?

sportsfan148 · 02 Sep 2020

Have you tried Right clicking the Recycle Bin and selecting properties and then Dont move files to the Recycle Bin? Then try deleting your files

ship69 · 09 Sep 2020

sportsfan148 said:

Have you tried Right clicking the Recycle Bin and selecting properties and then Dont move files to the Recycle Bin? Then try deleting your files

No. I want the Recyle Bin to work normally most of the time. It is a useful resource. BUT there are times when I want to delete FAST and in BULK.

Why is this so hard? Why does Microsoft like to disempower it's users like this?

J

ardneh W10 · 10 Sep 2020

Have you tried Right clicking the Recycle Bin and selecting properties
and then Don't move files to the Recycle Bin? Then try deleting your files.

Could you do this, bulk delete, then untick
the "Dont move files to the Recycle Bin"
option?

sportsfan148 · 10 Sep 2020

ardneh W10 said:

Could you do this, bulk delete, then untick
the "Dont move files to the Recycle Bin"
option?

That was what I was suggesting too. It seemed like a good solution to the OP's problem