# My friend lost 30Gb of music
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [March 3, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810 "2026-03-03T14:45:17Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@adam0509](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/adam0509)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/1 "2026-03-03T14:45:17Z")
So
I’m using mp3tag 3.20 on windows 10
My friend downloaded mp3tag last version (he’s on windows 11)
he added all his file to check
Then I told him to press delete like I usually do to ro Remove (it’s translated “Remove from list” in french btw, much more convenient I think).
Then I saw a windows popup like he was deleting… after clever thinking, we abord the process, but the bad was already done. 30Gb of his 90Gb where deleted, and not even found in the recycle bin.
So what the f\*ck happen ? It it a Windows difference problem or did someone in the middle of the devellopement think it was a good idea that “delete” key would now delete file permanently instead of “Remove (from list)".
I want answers, please.
---
### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 3:03pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/2 "2026-03-03T15:03:47Z")
No backups no mercy.
You can easily test the function that you question with a single test file.
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### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 3:04pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/3 "2026-03-03T15:04:17Z")
I use the newest Mp3tag v3.34-beta.4 on Windows 11.
The Del keyboard key only removes the selected files from the File List.
You can refresh the file list with F5 and the removed files reappear.
No files will be physically deleted.
If you really want to delete files, you need to press the menu
Edit -\> Delete
and then confirm this message:
Only this way the selected files will be deleted.
In my case, all the deleted files were moved to the Recycle Bin.
---
### Author:  [@adam0509](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/adam0509)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/4 "2026-03-03T15:26:03Z")
That’s not the point. And not everybody has automated backup you know. Also even with RAID0 this would have fail.
As it works on my computer there was no point testing.
It’s like if microsoft changed “del” go to permanently deleted instead of putting to recycle bin
There is a bad coding/testing pratice somewhere here.
---
### Author:  [@adam0509](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/adam0509)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/5 "2026-03-03T15:26:53Z")
thanks for your report.
I’m gonna ask my friend MP3 Tag precise version so my report could be more precise.
Maybe he downloaded another version from another site.
---
### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 3:34pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/6 "2026-03-03T15:34:40Z")
> [@adam0509](#):
>
> As it works on my computer there was no point testing.
As at least @LyricsLover has also found the old behaviour, it would still be necessary to test - the local conditions.
... that
> [@adam0509](#):
>
> "del” go to permanently deleted instead of putting to recycle bin
is still to be verified. That deleted objects do not go to the recylce bin first, is a local setting - and that is beyond the control of MP3tag.
Check the properties of the recycle bin for that.
Even though your friend's fait is a pitiable one ... no-one has looked over his shoulder or guided his fingers to reliably tell what really happened.
So far, no-one could reproduce the behaviour.
---
### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 3:41pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/7 "2026-03-03T15:41:59Z")
> [@adam0509](#):
>
> There is a bad coding/testing pratice somewhere here.
The only way that deleted files won't be moved to the Recycle Bin is, if:
a) **Deletion from removable or non‑NTFS storage**
Files deleted from USB sticks, SD cards, external drives, network shares, or any volume not using NTFS are removed _permanently_ because the Recycle Bin is not supported there.
b) Pressing **Shift + Delete** (in Windows File Explorer, not Mp3tag!)
Using **Shift + Delete** triggers immediate, unrecoverable deletion and never uses the Recycle Bin.
c) **Recycle Bin is full**
If the bin has reached its maximum size, Windows permanently deletes the oldest items or the newly deleted file, depending on configuration.
d) **Recycle Bin is disabled for that drive**
If the Recycle Bin is turned off in the drive’s properties, all deletions on that drive are permanent.
e) **File is too large for the Recycle Bin**
If a file exceeds the maximum size configured for the bin, Windows deletes it permanently instead of storing it.
These reasons are beyond Mp3tag's control.
---
### Author:  [@adam0509](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/adam0509)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/8 "2026-03-03T15:42:48Z")
Are you saying I’m a liar ?
That’s what we are trying to do here, find exactly where the problem is, and you are definitly NOT helping
Altough the not going to recycle bin could be local setting, the fact the delete button was a different shortcut than my pc.
Here is on my PC for example
You should think before posting; this is a serious problem that requires competent people willing to solve it, not people who simply say, "The problem is you."
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### Author:  [@adam0509](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/adam0509)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 3:45pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/9 "2026-03-03T15:45:14Z")
a) Folder is on desktop, I guess it’s formated in NTFS
b) not the case here
c) Recycle bin was empty and lot of space left on the hard drive
d) doubt it but gonna check that
e) Nah it’s basic MP3 and FLAC
---
### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 3:53pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/10 "2026-03-03T15:53:05Z")
> [@adam0509](#):
>
> this is a serious problem that requires competent people willing to solve it, not people who simply say, "The problem is you."
Agreed.
SO far the tests on your installation has led to the result:
> [@adam0509](#):
>
> it works on my computer
I tested it and Del only clears the list which could be restored with F5
@LyricsLover has tested and found
> [@LyricsLover](#):
>
> The Del keyboard key only removes the selected files from the File List.
> You can refresh the file list with F5 and the removed files reappear.
So: 3 environments show the same behaviour and not the one that you observed at your friend's.
The question is now: what is different in your friend's environment?
> [@adam0509](#):
>
> Are you saying I’m a liar ?
No, I do not doubt that the observation is correct. I have my doubts about the conclusion, though.
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### Author:  [@poster](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/poster)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 4:25pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/11 "2026-03-03T16:25:19Z")
> [@adam0509](#):
>
> Altough the not going to recycle bin could be local setting, the fact the delete button was a different shortcut than my pc.
Did you perhaps tell him to use CTRL-a to mark all files and then remove the files from the list with DEL? Maybe your friend forgot to release the CTRL-Key?
---
### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/12 "2026-03-03T16:28:25Z")
> [@poster](#):
>
> Maybe your friend forgot to release the CTRL-Key?
Just tested:
The same "Do you want to delete all selected files?" message box appears as from Edit -\> Delete.
And the selected/deleted files will be moved to the Recycle Bin in my case.
---
### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 4:37pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/13 "2026-03-03T16:37:23Z")
You do not get the confirmation box if you switched off the option \> Messages\> At deleting files
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### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 6:57pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/14 "2026-03-03T18:57:28Z")
> [@adam0509](#):
>
> Then I told him to press delete like I usually do to ro Remove (it’s translated “Remove from list” in french btw, much more convenient I think).
I am on the current beta 3.34-beta4 and this unfortunate situation does not occur for me. Pressing the DEL key does not delete the actual files. It only removes them from the list. Same happens if SHIFT+DEL is pressed. All files in my test folder remain safe and sound.
Besides using the Edit toolbar menu and choosing "Delete..." your "Friend" may have used the right-click menu and selected "Delete..." there instead of the desired "Remove" function. This will send the files to the recycle bin.
Unless your local settings are set to do otherwise. This is not something a mp3tag setting can change.
> [@adam0509](#):
>
> That’s not the point. And not everybody has automated backup you know. Also even with RAID0 this would have fail.
Sorry, but anyone with a 90GB audio collection should have more than one backup, and on a separate drive. This is not a secret and has been recommended too many times here to count. Relying on a single copy of a file in any case is playing with fire. Especially when using a brand new piece of software that is likely not familiar yet. Has their library been stored on a card to use in a portable player? Perhaps shared with somebody else?
> [@adam0509](#):
>
> I want answers, please.
I'd say user error, with compounding issues caused by poor Windows option choices.
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### Author:  [@astrohip](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/astrohip)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 8:55pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/15 "2026-03-03T20:55:41Z")
> [@MotleyG](#):
>
> Sorry, but **anyone with a 90GB audio collection should have more than one backup** , and on a separate drive.
If I’m reading the OP correctly, his friend didn’t have a single backup! Forget “more than one”, how about ONE?
It’s heartbreaking to see anyone lose data, but no backup? My sympathy only goes so far.
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### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/16 "2026-03-03T22:13:33Z")
> [@astrohip](#):
>
> It’s heartbreaking to see anyone lose data, but no backup? My sympathy only goes so far.
Absolutely. My 28k+ track library is over 800GB. Besides the core drive with my day-to-day library, I keep a connected backup drive, plus copies on two external USB drives. In addition I have two portable players with SD cards. All are synced on a regular basis. Plus any time I make any significant changes I run a manual backup for all. You can never be too careful.
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### Author:  [@astrohip](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/astrohip)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/17 "2026-03-03T22:43:25Z")
> [@MotleyG](#):
>
> My 28k+ track library is over 800GB.
Gotta be a FLAC user 😄 . Mine is \<500GB, but well over 50,000 tracks. All MP3. Lossless is wasted on my old ears.
And yes, backed up. Including offsite (cloud).
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### Author:  [@adam0509](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/adam0509)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 11:34pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/18 "2026-03-03T23:34:07Z")
That’s a good point, indeed we select all before, perhaps the CTRL key was still pressed
But it’s strange it didn’t go to recycle bin
Still craving for info from my friend if it can help
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### Author:  [@adam0509](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/adam0509)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 11:38pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/19 "2026-03-03T23:38:50Z")
> [@MotleyG](#):
>
> Sorry, but anyone with a 90GB audio collection should have more than one backup
This is true, but most regular users don’t think about backup unfortunately
We try some software to get the files back. 1rst one was sh\*t, 2nd one was **itop data recovery** and seemed to work (+ you can select only music files), but then I had to take my train to get back to my house so I don’t know what happened then. He told me it didn’t work (but maybe he didn’t choose good option or so) and had to redownload his lost album (at leat he still got the folder names)
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### Author:  [@adam0509](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/adam0509)
#### Post date: [March 4, 2026, 10:39am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/my-friend-lost-30gb-of-music/70810/20 "2026-03-04T10:39:57Z")
Mp3 tag v3.33.1 fev 6 2026
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