How does Vista Recycle bin work?

Question

I am trying to write a python module to move files to the 'Recycle Bin' on both Mac and PC.

Is there a way, only from the commandline (and yes, I mean using absloutly no C#/C++/etc) to move a file into the Recycle Bin, and have it appear as a file trashed by drag and drop (or deleted via SHFileOperation, etc).

Answer 1

You should use the SHFileOperation function or, on Vista, the IFileOperation interface (as pointed out by gix below).

From the remarks on SHFileOperation:

When used to delete a file, SHFileOperation permanently deletes the file unless you set the FOF_ALLOWUNDO flag in the fFlags member of the SHFILEOPSTRUCT structure pointed to by lpFileOp. Setting that flag sends the file to the Recycle Bin. If you want to simply delete a file and guarantee that it is not placed in the Recycle Bin, use DeleteFile.

Answer 2

It looks like this mailing list entry might help you.

Answer 3

Moving files to Windows' Recycle Bin is a Shell operation. Shell operations are run via COM. For older Windows versions there is the SHFileOperation interface. Since Vista there is the new IFileOperation interface.

Answer 4

I have written a Python library that does precisely that. You might want to check it out.