Move Mac files and folders to the Trash, from the keyboard

Updated July 2nd, 2019.

Attention, Mac users: if you click on an icon in the Finder, and then press ⌘-Delete, the item will fly into the Trash. It’s still retrievable, same as anything else you put into the Trash. It just gets there a really easy way.

How many times have you tried to drag something to the trash, and run out of room for dragging, and accidentally dropped the item somewhere else, who knows where?

Clicking on an icon and then pressing the Delete key by itself does nothing. You have to add the Command key.

If you look in the Finder’s File menu you’ll see the shortcut.

Note: your Delete key might be labeled “Backspace” but it will work just as well.

Did this article help you?

Maybe you'd like to contribute to the
Christian Boyce coffee fund.

---

Want some some quick iPhone how-tos?
Visit me at iPhoneinaminute.com.

Looking for in-depth tutorials?
See my christianboyce.com website!