Left Click causing Delete Issue in Windows 10/8/7 [SOLVED]

Issue: Files are automatically deleted upon left-click.

It's strange that a left-click would cause deletion. Don't worry, you're not the only one experiencing this issue. Many Windows 10 users have reported it. This problem can be caused by incomplete software installations, issues with the Windows OS, outdated mouse drivers, virus attacks, and incorrect changes to the system's registry. When this happens, you might notice:

• Programs, shortcuts, files, or folders do not open when you double-click them. Instead, they are deleted without any prompt.
• Clicking an empty folder will delete it immediately. If the folder contains files, Windows will repeatedly prompt you to confirm the deletion until you actually delete it.
• Files or folders are deleted when you hover over their icons with your mouse pointer, and they cannot be found in the Recycle Bin.

In a nutshell, the wrong-click delete issue can lead to massive data loss and frustration. If the files mean a lot to you, the first thing you need to do is perform file recovery. You can check the Recycle Bin for the files. If they are there, simply restore them. However, if the deleted files bypass the Recycle Bin and are lost permanently, you need a professional Data Recovery Wizard tool to help you recover lost data as soon as possible, then fix the issue of deleting files with a left click. This way, you can minimize data loss.

The first thing to do: recover a file you accidentally deleted with the left mouse button.

To recover files or folders mistakenly deleted due to a mouse malfunction, you can use the Data Recovery Wizard tool. It can restore almost all deleted content from an emptied Recycle Bin, HDD/SSD, USB flash drive, external drive, SD card, and more.

Now, install the software and run it to scan all locations of the file to find all lost data. After the scan, you can recover unlimited numbers of files in just three steps.

Step 1: Choose a location and start scanning

Launch the Data Recovery Wizard, and hover the mouse over the partition/drive where the deleted files were stored. Click “Scan” to locate the lost files.

Step 2: Select the files you wish to recover

After the scan is complete, select the deleted files you wish to recover. You can click on the Filter to display only the file types that you want. If you remember the name of the file, you can also search for it in the “Search for files or folders” box – this is the fastest way to locate your target file.

Step 3: Preview and recover the deleted files

Preview the recoverable files, then select the ones you want to restore and click "Recover" to save them to a new location, not the disk where the data was lost.

How to resolve the issue of deleting files with the left mouse button?

With the file recovery out of the way, it's time to tackle the issue of files being deleted on double-click. First, check if your mouse settings have been altered, and reset them if that's the case. If the settings seem fine, it could be an issue with the mouse itself. Try using the troubleshooting method of connecting the mouse to another computer, or swapping in a different mouse to connect to yours. If the problem persists, you may need to delve into more advanced solutions.

Method 1: Remove Malware and Viruses with Antivirus Software

A single left-click might cause file deletion, which could be due to a virus infection. In this case, scan your system for malware and viruses using an existing antivirus software. Alternatively, if you have technical knowledge, you can use the CMD to remove viruses from your computer.

Method 2: Update or reinstall the driver

Step 1: Press the "Win + X" keys and select "Device Manager." Expand the "Mice and other pointing devices" category.

Step 2: Switch to the Driver tab and click the Update Driver button.

If the driver update doesn't work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the mouse driver. This should resolve the issue with automatic removal.

Click to Fix Files Being Deleted on Click - Update Mouse Driver

Method 3: Modify the Registry

Incorrect modifications to the registry can lead to issues with deleting files using the left mouse button. You can resolve this problem by following these steps:

Step 1: Press the "Windows + R" keys to open the "Run" window.

Step 2: Type regsvr32 /i shell32.dll, and then click OK to run the command and fix the registry.

Or you could try something more elaborate to achieve this.

Step 1: Press the "Windows + R" keys to open the Run window. Then type regedit to open the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Expand HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Click Directory\shell, and change the Default value in the right pane to none.

Delete files on click:

Step 3: Expand HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell, and set the default value in the right pane to None.

Clicking it with the left mouse button will cause deletion.

Method 4: Fix Windows Issues

Corrupted system files or system images from a Windows Update source might be causing the inability to delete files by double-clicking them. Try the following guide.

"Repair corrupted system files"

Step 1: Click the search button, look for “Command Prompt.” Right-click on it, and select “Run as administrator.”

Step 2: Run the System File Checker. Execute the command sfc /scannow to repair any corrupted system files from the local component store.

If that doesn't help, you may need to repair the Windows Component Store itself.

Repairing the Windows Component Store

Step 1: Press "Windows + X" and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)."

Step 2. Run DISM. Type and run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. This will repair any corruption in the system image from the Windows Update source. This may require an internet connection.

If it takes a long time to find and repair damaged files, do not interrupt or close the window.

Conclusions

When you notice unusual behavior like a left-click deleting files, you should stay calm and proceed with the proper steps in order. As mentioned, if data loss has occurred, you should recover the files first. Then, take a minute to identify the issue and try all the solutions recommended on this page, which have been tested and proven effective.