Help Desk Geek – Help Desk Tips For IT Pros

When you want to permanently delete a file in the Nautilus File Browser using your mouse, your only option for deleting the file is to move the file to the Trash.

NOTE: You can permanently delete a file using the keyboard by selecting the file and pressing the Shift + Delete key combination.

When you right-click on the file to be deleted in the Nautilus File Browser, the only option for deleting the file is Move to Trash.

Then, you must manually empty the trash.

To add an option to the popup menu within the Nautilus File Browser that allows you to permanently delete a file without it being placed in the Trash first, select Preferences from the Edit menu in the File Browser.

On the File Management Preferences dialog box, click the Behavior tab. In the Trash section, select the Include a Delete command that bypasses Trash check box so there is a check mark in the check box.

Click Close to close the File Management Preferences dialog box.

Now, when you right-click on a file you want to delete, you will see the Delete command on the popup menu, most likely right below the Move to Trash option.

Because the Delete option permanently deletes the file and bypasses the Trash, a dialog box displays to make sure you really want to delete the file. Click Delete if you are sure.

WARNING: Using the Delete option to delete a file is permanent and cannot be undone. So be sure you want to delete a file before selecting the Delete option to do so.

by Lori Kaufman