# Delete Function in MP3Tag Not Removing Files from Network Drive
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/delete-function-in-mp3tag-not-removing-files-from-network-drive/71160
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [May 3, 2026, 2:45am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/delete-function-in-mp3tag-not-removing-files-from-network-drive/71160 "2026-05-03T02:45:47Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@bdog8383](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/bdog8383)
#### Post date: [May 3, 2026, 2:45am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/delete-function-in-mp3tag-not-removing-files-from-network-drive/71160/1 "2026-05-03T02:45:47Z")
I must be missing something. When I select a file in MP3Tag and right-click to delete it, I get a confirmation asking if I’m sure I want to delete the selected files. I click “Yes,” and the file disappears from the list in MP3Tag.
However, the file isn’t actually being deleted from my hard drive. When I refresh the directory in MP3Tag, it shows up again.
I assumed the purpose of the delete function was to remove the file from the drive. I’m trying to clean up a large number of duplicate files, so this is pretty frustrating.
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### Author:  [@poster](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/poster)
#### Post date: [May 3, 2026, 5:20am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/delete-function-in-mp3tag-not-removing-files-from-network-drive/71160/2 "2026-05-03T05:20:21Z")
Are you sure you're using the "right-click delete" option and not the "Remove" option or the DEL key?
MP3tag distinguishes between "Remove" and "Delete." "Remove" only removes the file from the displayed list, while "Delete" actually deletes it. The DEL key is "Remove," and the CTRL+DEL key combination is "Delete."
When I press CTRL+DEL or use right-click -\> Delete, the file is indeed deleted.
However, when using "Remove," the confirmation warning you mentioned doesn't appear, which contradicts my assumption.
Which version of MP3tag are you using?
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### Author:  [@ryerman](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ryerman)
#### Post date: [May 3, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/delete-function-in-mp3tag-not-removing-files-from-network-drive/71160/3 "2026-05-03T14:57:16Z")
> [@bdog8383](#):
>
> I assumed the purpose of the delete function was to remove the file from the drive
Mp3tag obeys the Windows properties of the recycle bin.
See here: [How to change Recycle Bin settings in Windows 11 and Windows 10 | Windows Central](https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-recycle-bin-storage-settings-windows-11)
In Windows, if the properties are such that deleted files are moved to the recycle bin, holding the "Shift" key while clicking "Delete" will temporarily override that setting and permanently remove selected files from the disk.
That also works in Mp3tag.
If you check "at deleting files" at Options \> Messages, the message is the same when deleting to the recycle bin or permanently.
But if you uncheck that message, the normal Windows confirmation message will be displayed, which does indicate where the files will go.
But that message must be enabled in the recycle bin properties.
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### Author:  [@Doug\_Mackie](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Doug_Mackie)
#### Post date: [May 3, 2026, 11:42pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/delete-function-in-mp3tag-not-removing-files-from-network-drive/71160/4 "2026-05-03T23:42:51Z")
> [@poster](#):
>
> MP3tag distinguishes between "Remove" and "Delete." "Remove" only removes the file from the displayed list, while "Delete" actually deletes it. The DEL key is "Remove," and the CTRL+DEL key combination is "Delete."
Perhaps additional labeling here would avoid confusion:
"Remove" becomes "Remove Item from List"
"Delete" becomes "Delete from Hard Disk"
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### Author:  [@bdog8383](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/bdog8383)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2026, 1:37am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/delete-function-in-mp3tag-not-removing-files-from-network-drive/71160/5 "2026-05-04T01:37:31Z")
I could of Sworn I right-clicked and clicked Delete. Also, the files I am editing are on a NAS. Would that change the ability for MP3Tag to actually delete the files since they can't go to the recycling bin? Well thanks for the help!
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### Author:  [@bdog8383](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/bdog8383)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2026, 1:38am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/delete-function-in-mp3tag-not-removing-files-from-network-drive/71160/6 "2026-05-04T01:38:08Z")
Ok thank you for your help!
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2026, 4:41am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/delete-function-in-mp3tag-not-removing-files-from-network-drive/71160/7 "2026-05-04T04:41:10Z")
> [@bdog8383](#):
>
> Would that change the ability for MP3Tag to actually delete the files since they can't go to the recycling bin?
MP3tag would not be better or worse than your OS. If the OS can delete the files, then so can MP3tag.
Wouldn't it be the easiest way to test both functions in your environment, now, as you know that there is a difference?
If you still find, that `Delete ...` does not erase the files, we may have to continue the discussion.
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### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2026, 6:13am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/delete-function-in-mp3tag-not-removing-files-from-network-drive/71160/8 "2026-05-04T06:13:49Z")
> [@bdog8383](#):
>
> Also, the files I am editing are on a NAS. Would that change the ability for MP3Tag to actually delete the files since they can't go to the recycling bin
AFAIK, when you delete a file on a NAS share, it will go to the NAS recycle bin **IF** the NAS recycle bin is enabled. If it’s not enabled, the file is deleted immediately. The Windows recycle bin is not involved at all.
> [@bdog8383](#):
>
> However, the file isn’t actually being deleted from my hard drive. When I refresh the directory in MP3Tag, it shows up again.
Perhaps the user trying to delete the files from the NAS share does not have sufficient delete rights for that share?
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### Author:  [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2026, 6:14am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/delete-function-in-mp3tag-not-removing-files-from-network-drive/71160/9 "2026-05-11T06:14:16Z")
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