Deleting Files
In computers, the term delete is synonymous with “throw in the trash.” That’s important to know because you wouldn’t want to throw important paper documents from your filing cabinet into the trash. Likewise, you don’t want to delete anything important that’s on your computer.
It’s easy to delete files and folders. Perhaps it’s too easy because it’s a leading cause of headaches and disasters, especially among beginners and casual computer users who try to learn by guessing and figuring things out. Deleting and “moving to the Recycle Bin” are basically the same thing. So let’s start with a couple of good rules of thumb. Before you delete an item or move it to the Recycle Bin, ask yourself two questions:
- Do I know exactly what this file (or folder) is?
- Am I 100 percent certain that neither I nor my computer will need it in the future, ever?
If the answer to both questions is “Yes,” go ahead and delete the file. If the answer to either question is “No,” don’t delete the file or move it to the Recycle Bin.
Deleting is a simple process. If you want to delete a single file or folder, first select its icon. Optionally, if you want to delete multiple items in one fell swoop, select ...
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