How to Add a “Permanently Delete” Option to the Windows Context Menu

As you work on your computer day by day, so many files and folders pile up on your system. You would delete old and unwanted files – it reduces clutter and frees up storage space.

Normally, you select the file and use the “Delete” button, which moves the file to the trash. However, to permanently delete the file, you need to delete it from the recycle bin again.

But what if you could permanently delete files from the Windows context menu with one click? It can be done, and let’s explore how.

You use the right-click context menu to open, save, copy, paste, share and delete files. However, this Windows context menu does not have a permanent delete option to permanently delete files with a single click. However, you can create this option in the context menu.

Yes, you can skip the recycle bin to permanently delete files. To do this, you need to use the registry editor.

Registry Editor is a Windows tool that allows you to view and change settings in the system registry. However, you should be careful when editing the registry editor. Just follow the steps given below and leave other files untouched.

Also, it would be a good idea to enable automatic registry backups. If you make an incorrect entry or something goes wrong, you can bring Windows back to normal with a good backup.

Now let’s go through the steps to add Permanently Delete option to the right-click context menu.

1. Open the registry editor by searching in it Windows searchand click Registry Editor under Best Match. Or press Wins + R Keys together to open the To run field, type regedit in which Open box, and hit Enter.

2. click Yes at the UAC prompt.
3. Then navigate to in the left pane computer > HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT > AllFilesystemObjects
4. Extend All file system objects and then expand sleeve key underneath.

5. Right-click sleeveand select in the menu that opens New and then button to add a new key.

6. Rename this new key under sleeve how Windows.PermanentDelete– as it is written without spaces, or copy and paste it from here.

   Now you need to create four string values ​​under the Windows.PermanentDelete Key.

7. Right-click for the first string Windows.PermanentDelete button in the left pane or right-click an empty space in the right pane. Choose New and then string value.

8. A string is created in the right pane. name it CommandStateSync. If you can’t name it at first, you can always right-click and select it Rename.

9. For the next string, right-click a space and select New > String Value.name this ExplorerCommandHandler.

10. Then double-click it to open it modifier window. Now copy and paste the following value into the reading Crate: {E9571AB2-AD92-4ec6-8924-4E5AD33790F5}.Then click OK or Enter.

11. Create the third string as you created the previous two strings: New > Key and name it symbol.
12. Double-click the symbol String to open the modifier window, and copy and paste the following value into the reading Crate: shell32.dll,-240. click OK or Enter.

    This symbol string adds the Red delete cross icon next to that Delete permanently Text in the context menu.

13. Finally create the last string and name it position.
14. Double-click the position String to open the modifier window and type bottom in which reading Crate. click OK or Enter.

    This position string determines the placement of the Delete permanently option in the context menu. We set the value data as bottom hence it appears at the bottom of the context menu.

Now all registry adjustments to enable Permanently Delete option are complete.

You can close the registry editor and look for the option “Delete permanently” in the context menu by right-clicking on a file or folder.

If you edited the registry correctly as described above, you will see the Delete permanently Option – as in the screenshot below.

This screenshot is on Windows 11, so after right-clicking on the file, you must also click Show more options. Only then will you see the Delete permanently option in the context menu. And when you click “Delete Permanently”, you will be prompted to confirm the deletion.

Besides, you can see them Delete permanently The option will appear below as we specified value from his position how bottom. And it has one Red delete cross to.

To make the “Delete Permanently” option appear at the top, you can open the Registry Editor and navigate to computer > HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT > AllFilesystemObjects. Then expand the sleeve key below and click Windows.PermanentDelete.

You see the string values ​​of Windows.PermanentDelete On the right side. Double-click the position string and in the reading field, change the value of bottom to above. Then click OK or Enter.

Now the option “Permanently delete” appears at the top of the context menu, which allows you to permanently delete files from there with one click.

Additionally, if you want to further customize the context menu, you can check out some of the best shortcuts to add to the right-click menu. And if you want to use Notepad for quick editing, you can also add the Open with Notepad option to the Windows context menu.

If you change your mind and no longer want to use the “Delete permanently” option in the context menu, you can easily remove it.

Open the registry editor and navigate to computer > HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT > AllFilesystemObjects. Then expand sleeve below and click Windows.PermanentDelete.

Then just right click Windows.PermanentDelete and select Extinguish. You’ll be asked to confirm if you want to delete this key and all of its values, so just click Yes to erase it.

Check and you will see that Permanently Delete is no longer in the context menu. The above steps to add and remove the permanently erase option also work on Windows 10.

If you miss the old Windows 10 context menu, you will be glad to know that you can bring the old context menu back to your Windows 11 PC.

Permanently delete files and folders from the context menu

It is convenient to permanently delete files and folders with one click. And if it’s in the context menu that you always use, it can simplify things and save time as well. So, work smarter by adding and using the “Permanently Delete” option in the Windows context menu.