File deletion is a way of removing a file from a computer's file system. A computer file is a collection of information that is stored in a computer system and can be identified and referenced in its entirety by a unique name. ... In computing, a file system is a method for storing and organizing computer files and the data they contain to make it easy to find and access them. ...

The reasons for deleting files are:

1. Freeing the disk space
2. Removing duplicate or unnecessary data to avoid confusion
3. Making sensitive information unavailable to others

All operating systems include commands for deleting files (rm on Unix, delete/del in MS-DOS etc.). File managers also provide a convenient way of deleting files. Files may be deleted one-by-one, or a whole directory tree may be deleted. The title given to this article is incorrect due to technical limitations. ... Unix or UNIX is a computer operating system originally developed in the 1960s and 1970s by a group of AT&T Bell Labs employees including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and Douglas McIlroy. ... Microsofts disk operating system, MS-DOS, was Microsofts implementation of DOS, which was the first popular operating system for the IBM PC, and until recently, was widely used on the PC compatible platform. ... A file manager is a computer program that provides a user interface to work with file systems. ...

Problem with accidental removing

The common problem with deleting files is accidental removal of information that later proves to be important. One way to deal with this is to backup your files regularly. Erroneously deleted files may then be found in archives. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Another strategy is not to delete files instantly, but to move them to a temporary place where they are kept until one is really low on free space. This is how the "recycle bin" in Microsoft Windows and the "trash folder" in Mac OS (which orginated the idea) work. This article is about the recycle bin in Windows. ... ‹ The template below has been proposed for deletion. ... Mac OS, which stands for Macintosh Operating System, is a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Computer for their Macintosh line of computer systems. ...

In MS-DOS, one can use the undelete command. In MS-DOS the deleted files are not really deleted, but only marked as deleted — so they could be undeleted during some time, until the disk blocks they used are eventually taken up by other files. Defragging a drive will prevent undeletion, as the blocks used by deleted file will be overwritten since they are marked as "empty". Microsofts disk operating system, MS-DOS, was Microsofts implementation of DOS, which was the first popular operating system for the IBM PC, and until recently, was widely used on the PC compatible platform. ... The current DeFRaG menu screen DeFRaG is a free mod for id Softwares Quake III. Unlike most other first person shooters, the players main objective is not to kill opponents but rather to perform trickjumps and speedruns. ...

Another precautionary measure is to mark important files as read-only. Many operating systems will warn you if you are trying to delete such files. Where file system permissions exist, "ordinary" users are only able to delete their own files, preventing the erasure of other peoples work or critical system files. Rom is also the name of a toy and comic book character Rom (Spaceknight). ... An operating system (OS) is a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer. ... Most modern file systems have methods of administering permissions or access rights to specific users and groups of users. ...

Problem with sensitive data

The common problem with sensitive data is that deleted files are not really deleted and so may be recovered by interested parties. Most file systems only remove the link to data (see undelete above). But even overwriting the disk with something else or formatting it does not guarantee that the sensitive data are completely unrecoverable. To deal with this, there are programs that write random data to the target regions on the disk many times over and over, so making data recovery unlikely (see shred). And the most reliable way of destroying data is, of course, destroying the physical media (e.g. throwing it in fire). See also data remanence. In computing, a file system is a method for storing and organizing computer files and the data they contain to make it easy to find and access them. ... Look up Shred in Wiktionary, the free dictionary To shred an item is literally to rip or tear it into strips. ... It has been suggested that File wipe be merged into this article or section. ...

Another problem is that there may exist several copies of the same file (perhaps representing different stages of editing). People delete one copy and forget about others.

See also

• Shred
• Data remanence