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Managing Deleted Files (Trash vs. Recycle Bin)

Overview

Both operating systems have a location for storing unwanted files for later deletion (or to act as a safeguard against accidental deletion). Mac OS X has the Trash, while Windows XP has the Recycle Bin.

You can drag items to either trash receptacle, or use keyboard shortcuts to move items there. Neither operating system lets you open files or applications that are stored in the Trash/Recycle Bin. Double-clicking a file/application in OS X's Trash will tell you to first move the item out of the Trash; doing the same on XP will open the item's Properties dialog.

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Mac OS X

OS X's Trash:

trash.gif

  • Browse folders stored inside the Trash
  • Secure file deletion
  • Can't delete individual files/folders while leaving other items in the Trash
  • Must manually drag files/folders out of trash to restore them

Windows XP

XP's Recycle Bin:

RecycleBin.gif

  • Delete individual files/folders while leaving other items in the Recycle Bin
  • Right-click an item in the Recycle Bin and select Restore to move the item back to its original location
  • Can't browse folders located in the Recycle Bin
  • No secure file deletion

Conclusion

The trash receptacles on both operating systems are comparable, though the downfalls of OS X's Trash are more serious:

  • No automatic Restore feature means users are required to remember where files came from if they want to put them back in exactly the same place

  • Emptying OS X's Trash is an all-or-nothing affair, which could be dangerous (for example, if you emptied the Trash for the purpose of deleting one specific file, forgetting that it stored another one which you wanted to continue saving)

XP could benefit from the ability to browse folders in the Recycle Bin (since folders almost always contain multiple items), as well as an option for secure file deletion.

Mac OS X: 7
Windows XP: 8

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