Stupid Windows trick: disable shift + delete to avoid accidental obliterations

Knowing the various hotkeys provided by Windows is a good thing. They provide fast access to functions you use all the time, like invoking the start menu, copying and pasting, accessing the system properties page, and searching for files.

One of my most-used combinations is shift + delete, the shortcut to permanently vaporizing unwanted files. It also works in apps like Outlook Express and Windows Mail to bypass the deleted items folder. Which is one instance where the killer key combo can be a seriously mixed blessing.

You get in the habit of shift-deleting junk mail. You also get in the habit of holding shift to select multiple messages before shift-deleting several pieces of what you thought were junk mail. Except in the blink of an eye before you actually tap the delete key you notice a familiar address sandwiched between the Viagra ads and poorly-written phishing attempts.

Unfortunately, you realize this a moment too late and your messages are all gone. "I've got to stop doing that," you say, but it's become a habit.


Here's an easy way to break it: make your computer forget what shift+delete is supposed to do. Grab AutoHotkey (free), and then create a new script using the following text:

+Delete::
KeyWait Shift
Send {Delete}

Sure, you could just do the one-day-at-a-time thing and keep reminding yourself not to use the deadly combination, but sometimes help is required when breaking habits like this. Remember, it only works when AutoHotkey is running.

Maybe this isn't the kind of hack that you'd use on your on computer, but it may be worth putting to use on, say, your wife's laptop. You know, in case she accidentally deleted something really important from a publisher and doesn't ever want to write another "so sorry but I think I nuked your message" message.

AutoHotkey is also capable of a heck of a lot more than keeping you from accidentally purging mom's emails. It's well worth a download.

Tags: freeware, mistakes, shift delete, stupid windows trick, stupid-windows-tricks, StupidWindowsTrick, whoops