> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.skylum.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.skylum.com/organizing-images/working-with-the-trash-folder.md).

# Working with the Trash folder

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Note:** Some interface details and visuals in this article may differ from the latest version of Luminar for Desktop. To see the current interface, visit the [Luminar for Desktop walkthrough](/how-to-use-luminar-for-desktop/luminar-for-desktop-walkthrough.md).
{% endhint %}

{% @arcade/embed url="<https://app.arcade.software/share/us62OZmWrwHMI7GZ8iP6>" flowId="us62OZmWrwHMI7GZ8iP6" %}

While editing, you can move images to the trash directly from within Luminar for Desktop. This makes it easy to organize your hard drive and reduces clutter. Remember that **deleting files from folders in Luminar for Desktop will also delete them from your hard drive**. To help you avoid permanently deleting your original photos unintentionally, Luminar for Desktop includes multiple warnings.

#### Deleting a File in Luminar for Desktop <a href="#h_01hvsgr4cx6k13mz4g7t50gf8h" id="h_01hvsgr4cx6k13mz4g7t50gf8h"></a>

To delete one image or multiple images in Luminar for Desktop, select one or several images in the **Catalog**, **right-click** on the image(s), and choose **Move to Luminar Trash** from the pop-up menu. Alternatively, you can press <kbd>**Cmd**</kbd>**+**<kbd>**Delete**</kbd> (macOS) or <kbd>**Ctrl**</kbd>**+**<kbd>**Delete**</kbd> (Windows). The selected images will be hidden in the current folder Luminar for Desktop and placed into the **Trash** shortcut.

The **Trash** shortcut in Luminar for Desktop is a staging area. When files are in the Trash shortcut, they are still on your hard drive in the same place they had been. Click on the Trash shortcut to see additional controls.

#### Restoring Files from the Trash <a href="#h_01hvsgr4cyavzranmq7ka2m8sc" id="h_01hvsgr4cyavzranmq7ka2m8sc"></a>

Images in the Trash shortcut are still on your hard drive and can easily be restored to their original location in your Catalog.

**To restore images from the Trash:**

1. Select the image(s) you want to restore.
2. Choose **Image > Put Back** to restore the image(s) in your Catalog, or **right-click** on the image (or one of the selected images) and choose **Put Back**.

#### Emptying the Trash in Luminar for Desktop <a href="#h_01hvsgr4cy1crcx8t341bz6pm1" id="h_01hvsgr4cy1crcx8t341bz6pm1"></a>

To permanently remove an image from the Luminar for Desktop Catalog:

* All references to the image in its folder are removed from Luminar.
* All edits are removed (be sure to export a new file to your hard drive if you want to save these first).
* Any references to the image are removed from Albums.

There are two ways to empty the Trash in Luminar for Desktop:

* **Right-click** on a single image or on one of the multiple selected images and select **Delete** from the pop-up menu.
* Click the **Empty Trash** button at the top of the Catalog window.

This will send all images in the Trash shortcut in Luminar for Desktop to your operating system’s **Trash** (macOS) or **Recycle Bin** (Windows).

At this point, your files are not yet deleted from your hard drive. Luminar for Desktop has only moved your files to the operating system’s **Trash** (macOS) or **Recycle Bin** (Windows). You can still open your computer’s Trash/Recycle Bin and retrieve the files. To permanently delete the files, empty the Trash or Recycle Bin.

#### Emptying the Trash/Recycle Bin <a href="#h_01hvsgr4cy24y0k9dbktfgb7pr" id="h_01hvsgr4cy24y0k9dbktfgb7pr"></a>

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="MacOS" %}
To permanently delete images from your hard drive, you need to empty the **Trash** on your computer. This must be done at the operating system level.

* **Choose Finder > Empty Trash…**
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows" %}
To permanently delete images from your hard drive, you need to empty the **Recycle Bin** on your computer. This must be done at the operating system level.

* Find the **Recycle Bin** icon on the desktop, then **right-click** it and choose **Empty Recycle Bin**.
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}


---

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