To prevent accidental file deletion, Windows XP includes a system folder called Recycle Bin that stores all the files and folders after deletion until you empty or delete the file from it. Until you do so, this doesn’t make the file deletion permanent and make the space available for other files. However, to bypass the Recycle Bin, there are two methods: using Shift and Delete key to delete the file and changing the configuration of Recycle Bin. You might need to perform this when you desire to reclaim large disk space or you are sure of deleting the file permanently. But at times, you might run into issues when you bypass the Recycle Bin and delete an important file inadvertently. To restore such file, you will need either to use your backup or a powerful hard drive recovery software.

One-time Bypass

If you desire to delete a file and bypass the Recycle Bin on one-time basis, you need to use combination of SHIFT and DEL key while deleting the file. After this, you receive a confirmation-request message that you should respond in ‘Yes’. The file will be permanently deleted.

Permanent Bypass

Following are the steps to bypass the Recycle Bin on permanent-basis while deleting the file:

  • You need to right-click the Recycle Bin icon and then click Properties
  • Select ‘Do not move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted’ check box
  • Click OK to save the settings

After you do so, you get confirmation-request that doesn’t ask you to send the file to Recycle Bin while deleting. Instead, you get the below request and the file is permanently deleted after you click ‘Yes’ to it:

“Are you sure you want to delete ?”

Accidental File Deletion

If you are bypassing the Recycle Bin, the odds are that you delete the file accidentally. To restore the deleted file, you need to use a current file backup or scan the disk using a safe hard drive recovery utility. Hard drive recovery software are advanced tools designed with high-end technology that allows recovering lost, deleted or missing files from all type of drives.

Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery is the most trusted and safe hard drive recovery utility designed for Windows 7 RC1, Vista, XP, 2003 and 2000. It provides you advanced features like File Filter, Append Header, File Search and others. The tool is compatible with FAT32, VFAT, NTFS and NTFS5 based drives.