Do you like confirmation when deleting a file?


Do you like confirmation when deleting a file?  

60 members have voted

  1. 1. Do you like confirmation when deleting a file?

    • Yes
      32
    • No
      13
    • Yes but only for files i'm going to shift+delete
      15


Recommended Posts

By default Windows 8 / 10 / 11 disable the delete confirmation dialog box. That means if a file or folder is currently selected, when you press delete, instead of asking you if you wish to delete the file .. it goes *POOOF* into the recycle bin.

If you right click on the recycle bin and select properties you can select "Display delet confirmation dialog box"

Now when you delete a file you are prompted asking if you are sure you wish to delete it.

Iimage.png.b0f1c8140a1ad845420be3ff208fd717.png

Some people have told me they when deleting something they don't want to be bothered having to click yes. Personally I find it horrifying, that with that option off (Default), I could delete something and not even know it.

So the question of the day is

Do you like confirmation when deleting a file?

  • Like 2

I find few things more irritating than the old cycle of "Are you sure?"  then "Are you really sure?", then "Are you really REALLY sure?" nonsense.  If I clicked delete, it's because I want it gone... ESPECIALLY if I shift-deleted. Quit holding my hand, I'm not 5! :p

 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1

Haven't answered the poll as it's not just a simple yes/no for me.

I don't mind the dialog for items that will delete right away without going to the recycle/trash bin for obvious reasons of that can't (easily) be undone.

As long as I can ctrl+z or go to the recycle/trash bin and restore a file if needed then I don't need to see a confirmation dialog.

  • Like 1
  On 03/03/2023 at 15:58, Brandon H said:

Haven't answered the poll as it's not just a simple yes/no for me.

I don't mind the dialog for items that will delete right away without going to the recycle/trash bin for obvious reasons of that can't (easily) be undone.

As long as I can ctrl+z or go to the recycle/trash bin and restore a file if needed then I don't need to see a confirmation dialog.

Expand  

Gave you an option.

 

Yes, I like it like it is.

it's the same on Linux Mint where in file manager if you have a file highlighted, press the 'delete' key, it instantly goes to the 'Trash' (Recycle Bin) and then one has to right click the Trash (either on desktop icon, which is not there by default on most recent Mint 21.1 or in the file manager), select 'empty trash' and then one final confirmation for it to be truly gone.

  On 03/03/2023 at 16:23, Warwagon said:

What happens on a network share when you press delete? does it go into a recycle bin? Or is it just erased?

Expand  

I just did a quick test on my Mint setup. my main PC (Mint 21.1-Xfce(all three of my computers use this)) has a Samba share on a certain folder location with create/write/delete access and pressing 'delete' on a folder in that share (so the laptop is accessing my main PC's share) it has the delete confirmation popup in the one with the Samba share before permanent deletion occurs and then allowing it to proceed permanently deletes the folder/file.

but on the other share I also have setup on my main PC through Samba, that has read-only access as I just ran a quick test by creating a folder in that share location on my main PC, then through another computer (laptop) I tried to delete that share through it's file manager accessing that share by pressing 'delete' key and the delete confirmation appears and I proceed to allow that confirmation to proceed but it errors saying no permission like expected since I set that share folder to read-only.

p.s. I primarily setup that Samba share (the one with create/write/delete access) on my main PC so when I use Clonezilla to image my two backup computers (a old desktop and a laptop) boot drive I can store the image it creates on my main PC's hard drive through the Samba share though the network.

 

  On 03/03/2023 at 16:23, Warwagon said:

What if you had a cat and it walks across your keyboard pressing delete?

Expand  

-Normal file manager would just imediately send it to the Recycle Bin (Trash).

-Pressing 'delete' accessing a Samba share through file manager has a delete confirmation dialog before permanent deletion.

Ever since Windows 95 introduced it I have always completely disabled the recycle bin and hidden it, so I do like to have the confirmation just in case I hit del by mistake or something. When I do want to delete a file I just hold shift and hit delete so I don't have to answer the confirmation anyway, but that's not something you can really do accidentally.

  • Like 2

The only time you should ever get a confirmation is when it's a permanent delete (eg. shift+delete) otherwise the recycle bin is your last defense.

  On 03/03/2023 at 22:27, Matthew S. said:

The only time you should ever get a confirmation is when it's a permanent delete (eg. shift+delete) otherwise the recycle bin is your last defense.

Expand  

assuming you knew it was in there. If when you ran something like ccleaner and by default it empties the recycle bin and you didn't know it was there.

I do like a confirmation box but from an efficiency point of view.

If I know I will need to delete some files in a moment - say, if something is unzipping then I used to be able to select the Zip file, click delete and then wait until it had finished.  This meant I could click away and go elsewhere and delete the file after it's finished unzipping.

I can't do that now, so it means I have to wait until it's finished before navigating away.

I haven't tested whether opening a new tab will deselect that file or not.

 

But I also enjoy filling the recycle bin as much as I can so when I eventually decide to empty it, I can watch all the little "how much space you have left indicators" go up.

I have the policy enabled for the confirmation for shift-delete, personally I do like that extra check when you're shift-deleting or emptying the recycle bin. It helps me prevent an "I done goofed" moment, especially for newer files that wouldn't be on a backup image yet. Regular recycle bin delete though nah it's unnecessary as it's not really deleted yet. 

  On 03/03/2023 at 15:54, FloatingFatMan said:

I find few things more irritating than the old cycle of "Are you sure?"  then "Are you really sure?", then "Are you really REALLY sure?" nonsense.  If I clicked delete, it's because I want it gone... ESPECIALLY if I shift-deleted. Quit holding my hand, I'm not 5! :p

 

Expand  

^^^^

Exactly

A single confirmation is all that is necessary for me however, if it is going to prompt me on every single file when trying to delete in bulk I will gain a furious need to harm someone lol.

I've got both of my systems set up so that it doesn't ask me to confirm. But it does move it to the recycle bin. I don't think that I've ever used shift+delete, perhaps because I'm too clumsy or never that sure that I want the file gone.

Case in point, while writing this I accidentally hit a wrong key and it removed almost all of what I had written. No big deal, but it's easier to have the fall-back of hitting Ctrl+Z when something goes wrong. :laugh:

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • I am not seeing a huge difference there.
    • This is what I came here to say even if just for a dedicated Windows PC gaming box. Gaming is the only use case have to use Windows these days.
    • The Outer Worlds 2 gets an October release date, reveals companion details by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe After Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment's next grand RPG was already revealed to be releasing in 2025, but during the Xbox Games Showcase today, it finally received a firm release date: October 29. Check out the new story trailer above. While the original was set in Halcyon, this time, the story is set in Arcadia, a brand-new setting that's described as a lawless frontier. Also cut off from Earth, this land is pressured by human conflicts as well as mysterious space-time rifts. "You’ve been sent in as an Earth Directorate agent, but how you handle the mission – who you help, hinder, or exploit – is entirely your call," says Obsidian today. "Build your character with expanded traits, flaws, and backgrounds that shape every decision and unlock new ways to fight, sneak, talk, or blow things up." The RPG will let players get involved with three clashing factions this time: The Protectorate, Auntie’s Choice, and The Order of the Ascendant. Each of them is attempting to advance their own version of humanity's optimal future. Each of these factions has tout own hub areas, followers, audio design, and propaganda elements, with the war between the trio changing all of these as the story progresses depending on player choices. "RPG systems have been reimagined for this sequel to give players more freedom and more flavor," adds the company. "For example, traits and flaws dynamically evolve based on how you play. Steal enough and you’ll be offered Kleptomaniac, which boosts loot sales but risks auto-theft when you so much as glance at an item." Obsidian also detailed the companions players will be able to meet and ally with in their journeys: Niles: Another Earth Directorate recruit torn between duty and defection. Inez: A former experiment from Auntie’s Choice with a grafted combat edge and a moral core. Aza: A chaos-loving Rift worshipper with a taste for violence and room to grow – maybe. Marisol: A stoic killer from the Order of the Ascendant with calculations to settle. Tristen: A walking tank and judge from the Protectorate, looking to dispense justice – or redefine it. Valerie: A floating, chirping support unit with unexpected upgrades and untapped potential. The Outer Worlds 2 is releasing on October 29, 2025 across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. As usual for an Xbox game, it will be available to Game Pass subscribers on day one for no extra cost. Don't forget that Obsidian also has Grounded 2 releasing next month into early access too.
    • I love space RPGs, and this one will no doubt scratch that itch. Im still modding the crap out of Starfiled. Can't wait.
    • Nah, the problem is still Windows. If you install Linux on a gaming PC, you will get better performance in games.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Reacting Well
      BlakeBringer earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • Reacting Well
      Lazy_Placeholder earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • Dedicated
      Epaminombas earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • Veteran
      Yonah went up a rank
      Veteran
    • First Post
      viraltui earned a badge
      First Post
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      472
    2. 2
      +FloatingFatMan
      265
    3. 3
      ATLien_0
      234
    4. 4
      snowy owl
      224
    5. 5
      Edouard
      174
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!