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Windows Vista - Recycle Bin

Stop Showing a Dialog When Deleting Files

SUMMARY: Prevent Windows Vista from prompting you if you really want to delete a file.

By default, when you try deleting a file from Explorer or most applications on a Windows Vista system, a confirmation dialog is shown. This prompt requires you to confirm whether or not you wish to move the file to the Recycle Bin or delete the file permanently.

While many people appreciate this dialog, others may find this extremely annoying, especially if they are performing system maintenance. Some may find the Recycle Bin functionality enough of a safeguard so that they do not need the confirmation dialog. Thus this can be disabled.

Confirming you wish to remove a file on a Windows Vista system

1. Right-click the "Recycle Bin" icon on the Desktop and choose "Properties".

2. The "Recycle Bin Properties" dialog box appears. Uncheck "Display delete confirmation dialog".

3. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

Note you will still see a dialog whenever deleting files from the Recycle Bin itself.