Move to Trash Shortcut (⌘⌫ / Delete)
Send a file to the Trash/Recycle Bin: ⌘Delete on Mac, Delete on Windows. Add Shift to delete permanently.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move file to Trash / Recycle Bin | ⌘⌫ | Delete | |
| Delete permanently (skip the bin) | ⌘⌥⌫ | Shift+Delete | |
| Empty Trash / Recycle Bin | ⌘⇧⌫ | (right-click ▸ Empty) | |
| Put Back / restore selected item from Trash | ⌘⌫ | Ctrl+Z | |
| Undo the last delete | ⌘Z | Ctrl+Z | |
| Empty Trash without the warning dialog | ⌘⌥⇧⌫ | — |
Delete a file
Select a file in Finder and press ⌘+⌫ (Command+Delete) to move it to the Trash; in Windows Explorer press Delete to send it to the Recycle Bin. The plain Delete/⌫ key alone does nothing in Finder — you need the ⌘.
Delete permanently and undo
To skip the bin and delete right away use ⌘⌥⌫ on the Mac or Shift+Delete on Windows. Changed your mind? ⌘Z / Ctrl+Z undoes a move-to-trash if you act before emptying it.
Restore a file from the Trash / Recycle Bin
On Mac, open the Trash, select the item and press ⌘+⌫ again — Finder calls this Put Back and returns the file to its original folder. On Windows, open the Recycle Bin, select the file and press Ctrl+Z or use Restore from the toolbar. A permanently-deleted file (Shift+Delete / ⌘⌥⌫) cannot be restored this way — you would need a backup or Time Machine.
Empty the bin without the confirmation dialog
On Mac, hold ⌥ while choosing Empty Trash, or press ⌘⌥⇧⌫ to empty immediately with no warning. On Windows you can turn the prompt off in the Recycle Bin properties.
Deleting a file vs. deleting text
These shortcuts move files to the bin. Inside a document, ⌫ (Backspace) deletes the character to the left and fn+⌫ on Mac / Delete on Windows is a forward-delete — see the forward-delete shortcut page for that.
FAQ
What is the move-to-trash shortcut on Mac?
Select the file and press ⌘Delete (Command+Delete). The Delete key by itself does nothing in Finder.
How do I delete a file on Windows with the keyboard?
Press Delete to send it to the Recycle Bin, or Shift+Delete to delete it permanently.
How do I delete a file permanently on Mac?
Press ⌘⌥⌫ (Command+Option+Delete) to delete immediately without moving to Trash.
How do I restore a file I just deleted?
On Mac open the Trash, select the file and press ⌘Delete again (Put Back). On Windows open the Recycle Bin and press Ctrl+Z or click Restore.
How do I empty the Trash without the confirmation popup?
On Mac press ⌘⌥⇧Delete to empty immediately, or hold Option while choosing Empty Trash. On Windows disable the prompt in Recycle Bin properties.