How to Delete Multiple Files at Once on Windows 10?

Deleting multiple files at once on Windows 10 can save you time and help keep your system organized. Whether you’re cleaning up your desktop, deleting old files, or managing large amounts of data, Windows 10 provides a variety of methods to easily remove multiple files simultaneously. In this guide, we will walk you through the most common and effective ways to delete multiple files at once on your Windows 10 computer.

1. Using File Explorer to Select and Delete Multiple Files

The most straightforward method to delete multiple files is by using File Explorer, where you can select and delete them manually.

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer:
   • Press Windows key + E or click on the File Explorer icon in your taskbar.
2. Navigate to the Folder:
   • Go to the folder where the files you want to delete are located.
3. Select Multiple Files:
   • Hold down the Ctrl key while clicking on each individual file you want to delete.
   • Alternatively, if the files are consecutive, click on the first file, hold down the Shift key, and click on the last file in the range to select them all.
4. Delete the Files:
   • Right-click any of the selected files and click Delete or press the Delete key on your keyboard.
   • The selected files will be moved to the Recycle Bin. If you want to permanently delete them, hold down Shift while pressing Delete, and confirm the action.

2. Using the Ctrl + A Shortcut to Select All Files

If you want to delete all files in a specific folder at once, the Ctrl + A shortcut is an efficient way to select everything in the folder.

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder containing the files.
2. Select All Files:
   • Press Ctrl + A to select every file and folder in the current directory.
3. Delete the Files:
   • Right-click any of the selected files and click Delete or press the Delete key on your keyboard.
   • If you want to permanently delete the files, press Shift + Delete to bypass the Recycle Bin.

3. Using the Context Menu to Delete Multiple Files

Windows also allows you to use the right-click context menu to delete multiple files at once, especially when they are selected using Ctrl or Shift.

Steps:

1. Select Multiple Files as described in the earlier section (Ctrl or Shift-click).
2. Right-click on one of the highlighted files and select Delete from the context menu.
3. The files will be moved to the Recycle Bin. If you want to permanently delete them, press Shift + Delete.

4. Using the Command Prompt to Delete Files

For users comfortable with the Command Prompt, this method allows for faster and more flexible file management.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt:
   • Press Windows key + S, type cmd, and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
2. Navigate to the Folder:
   • Use the cd command to change to the directory containing the files. For example: cd C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\FolderName
3. Delete Multiple Files:
   • Use the del command followed by wildcards to delete multiple files. For example: del *.txt This command will delete all files with the .txt extension in the current folder.
   • To delete specific files, list them individually: del file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt
4. Delete All Files in a Folder:
   • To delete all files in the folder (including subfolders), use: del /q *.* The /q flag suppresses confirmation prompts.

5. Using PowerShell to Delete Files

PowerShell is another powerful tool in Windows that can be used to delete multiple files with more advanced control.

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell:
   • Press Windows key + X and select Windows PowerShell from the menu.
2. Navigate to the Folder:
   • Use the cd command to go to the folder containing the files.
3. Delete Multiple Files:
   • To delete all files with a specific extension: Remove-Item *.txt
   • To delete all files in the folder: Remove-Item * -Force The -Force flag ensures the deletion of read-only files as well.
4. Delete Files Based on Patterns:
   • You can also delete files based on certain patterns. For example, to delete all files starting with “Report”: Remove-Item Report* -Force

6. Using Third-Party Software

For users looking for more control and advanced features, third-party applications like CCleaner or Bulk Crap Uninstaller can help manage file deletions in bulk.

Steps:

1. Download and Install a Third-Party Tool:
   • Download software like CCleaner, Bulk Crap Uninstaller, or another file management tool.
2. Select Files to Delete:
   • Open the software and navigate to the files you want to delete.
   • Select multiple files or folders.
3. Delete the Files:
   • Use the provided delete option to remove the files. These tools often provide options to permanently delete files, skipping the Recycle Bin.

7. Using File Explorer to Empty the Recycle Bin

After deleting files, they are typically moved to the Recycle Bin. If you want to permanently remove them:

1. Open the Recycle Bin:
   • Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
2. Select Files or Empty the Bin:
   • You can either select specific files to permanently delete by pressing Shift + Delete or click Empty Recycle Bin in the toolbar to clear everything.

Conclusion

Deleting multiple files at once on Windows 10 can be done in several efficient ways. Whether using File Explorer, Command Prompt, PowerShell, or third-party tools, these methods save time and help you keep your system organized. If you want to ensure that files are permanently deleted, always use Shift + Delete or manage the Recycle Bin accordingly. By following these simple steps, you can effectively clean up and manage multiple files in a fraction of the time.