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# PowerShell: Permanently Delete a File
- URL: https://www.filipkonopik.com/powershell-permanently-delete-a-file/
- Published: 2026-07-27T12:01:11.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-06T05:47:42.000Z
- Author: Filip Konopík
- Tags: Files & Folders

Need to delete a file permanently, bypassing the Recycle Bin entirely - for cleanup scripts or removing sensitive data? This one-liner does exactly that, without any extra parameters needed.

Prerequisites:

- Privileges: None
- Module: Built-in, no import needed

Quick Command:

```Powershell
Remove-Item -Path "C:\path\to\file.txt"
```

Unlike deleting a file through File Explorer, this bypasses the Recycle Bin completely - the file is gone immediately with no undo option. Double-check the path before running it.

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How It Works:

- Remove-Item deletes files (and folders) permanently by default - unlike deleting through File Explorer's GUI, which sends items to the Recycle Bin first, Remove-Item skips that step entirely and removes the file directly from disk.
- No special parameter is needed to force permanent deletion - this is simply the default behavior of the cmdlet.