Deleting online-only files from OneDrive downloads them first

[Faffe]

When deleting files that are online-only (have the little cloud icon overlay) from OneDrive, the files are first downloaded, then deleted. This is not the same behavior as Explorer.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Upload some files to a OneDrive folder
2. Right-click the folder and choose "Free up space"
3. Optionally reduce OneDrive's allowed download bandwidth settings to observe the behavior more easily
4. Delete the folder in Total Commander
5. Observe that OneDrive shows notifications that Total Commander is downloading the files before deleting them

[ghisler(Author)]

Not confirmed. When I use Shift+F8/Shift+Delete, the file is deleted immediately.

When I use F8/Delete, then it depends on the Windows version:
1. Windows 10 1803 warns that the file would be permanently deleted, doesn't download when confirmed
2. Windows 10 1903 downloads the file to recycle bin as instructed

[deckard]

I can confirm @Faffe's findings:

Shift + Delete seems to work identically in Explorer & TC: it deletes files right away without sending to the Recycle Bin. (Thanks Christian, I hadn't tried this.)

But just pressing Delete gives different results in Explorer vs. TC (on Windows 10 1903):

• TC downloads the file and then deletes, putting the file in the Recycle Bin. (This is potentially super-slow.)

• Explorer deletes the file without putting it in the Recycle Bin. (I am on Windows 10 1903.)
  Note that Explorer also shows a warning:
  
  "Deleting an online-only file permanently removes it from your PC without sending it to the Recycle Bin. Are you sure you want to continue?"

I came here to report the TC method of "downloading first" as a bug (since it differs from Explorer), and I guess I still believe it is a "bug", but I didn't realize that it actually has the added benefit of using the Recycle Bin. But you might not always want that , but as Christian pointed out, then we have Shift + Delete in TC to bypass it...

What do we prefer? Consistency with Explorer or inconsistency but with added flexibility?

[Usher]

Have you check how it works with OneDrive's own Recycle Bin?

[ghisler(Author)]

Explorer deletes the file without putting it in the Recycle Bin. (I am on Windows 10 1903.)
Note that Explorer also shows a warning:

That's how it works here on Windows 10 1803. However, on Windows 10 1903, I get the download+place in recycle bin, so apparently Microsoft has changed this for programs other than the Explorer...

[deckard]

Explorer deletes the file without putting it in the Recycle Bin. (I am on Windows 10 1903.)
Note that Explorer also shows a warning:

That's how it works here on Windows 10 1803. However, on Windows 10 1903, I get the download+place in recycle bin, so apparently Microsoft has changed this for programs other than the Explorer...

Do you know of a way to make a regular delete in TC bypass the recycle bin, mimicking how Explorer does it?

I understand OneDrive is a very moving target...

[ghisler(Author)]

Why not use Shift+Delete or Shift+F8? It bypasses recycle bin.

[deckard]

Why not use Shift+Delete or Shift+F8? It bypasses recycle bin.

True. I just need to get it into (muscle) memory - and it might be good to document it somewhere, for unknowing users?

[Usher]

It IS documented. Look at the last of Copy/Delete options for the start.

[deckard]

It IS documented. Look at the last of Copy/Delete options for the start.

Ah, I see what you mean, thanks. I actually referred to documenting that TC is not behaving like Explorer when deleting, with regards to OneDrive.

But it's not that important, I can move on.

[Usher]

I actually referred to documenting that TC is not behaving like Explorer when deleting, with regards to OneDrive.

Actually, OneDrive behaviour is subject to change. Could you propose short description which won't be subject to change, please?

[deckard]

Actually, OneDrive behaviour is subject to change. Could you propose short description which won't be subject to change, please?

Well, my proposal for a file deletion message would be:

"You are now deleting a file. What actually will happen is subject to change."