Disable the Recycle Bin (Windows 98/Me/2000/XP)

Registry Guide for Windows
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Registry tweaks, tricks & hacks to optimize, enhance and secure Microsoft Windows.

Disable the Recycle Bin (Windows 98/Me/2000/XP)
Category: Home > Windows > File System

This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager.
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This setting is used to disable the use of the recycle bin and permanently remove all deleted items instead. This enables the same functionality as holding the Shift key while deleting items.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value called 'NukeOnDelete' using the settings below.

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.


(Default)	REG_SZ	(value not set)
NukeOnDelete	REG_DWORD	0x00000001 (1)


	HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Bi...

Settings:

System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
BitBucket]
Name: NukeOnDelete
Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value: (0 = use recycle bin, 1 = permanently delete)

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Last Modified: September 29, 2001

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