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In computing, to delete means to remove or erase data, files, or other content from a storage device or document, making it inaccessible or unusable. Deletion can be logical (rendering data inaccessible but not physically removed from storage until overwritten) or permanent (wiping the data and freeing up the space).

How to delete on a computer

Delete key: On most keyboards, the "Delete" key removes text to the right of the cursor, while the "Backspace" key (labeled "Delete" on some Mac keyboards) removes text to the left of the cursor.

Recycle Bin: In operating systems like Windows, deleting files sends them to a Recycle Bin, allowing for a temporary period of time to rescind the action and recover them.

Command line tools: Users can delete files using commands like del or erase in MS-DOS and Windows, or the rm command in Linux/Unix.

Context menu: Users can right-click on a file or folder and select the delete or remove option from the context menu.

When a file is deleted, the computer primarily removes the information that identifies the file and its location. The space occupied by the file is marked as free and available for new data. The actual data may remain on the drive until it is overwritten by new information, a process that might be reversible with special data recovery tools in some cases.