How to delete a file using the delete key

I want to use only the delete key in order to delete files in Finder — no key combinations.

So far, I have been unable to find a configuration entry or even a 3rd party app that allow me to change the default behavior of OSX.

I'm using several systems, and OS X is only one of them. Having some consistency is great. I really want that behavior as it seems straightforward to me that the delete key actually delete.

Does someone have a solution?

You can use Karabiner-Elements with a modification rule imported from here:

The following custom rule that maps Delete to Cmd+Backspace:

~/.config/karabiner/assets/complex_modifications/_finder_custom.json

{
  "title": "Finder Custom",
  "rules": [
    {
      "description": "Use Delete as Move to Trash",
      "manipulators": [
        {
          "type": "basic",
          "from": {
            "key_code": "delete_forward",
            "modifiers": {
              "optional": ["any"]
            }
          },
          "to": [
            {
              "key_code": "delete_or_backspace",
              "modifiers": ["left_command"]
            }
          ],
          "conditions": [
            {
              "type": "frontmost_application_if",
              "bundle_identifiers": [
                "^com.apple.finder"
              ]
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Then open KE and on the Complex Modifications tab, push +Add Rule and then select your rule from the list.

The downside is that if you rename a file using finder and press the delete (forward-delete) it deletes the text from the cursor to the beginning.

Another downside is that if you click a file on your desktop and try to rename and use the delete key to delete some of the filename text, it deletes the file. While I still have this modification in place I do find I am having to remap my brain to use the backspace key when renaming a file and deleting a portion of the text.

https://github.com/tekezo/Karabiner-Elements/issues/1081

This would make forward delete (fn+delete) move files to trash:

defaults write com.apple.finder NSUserKeyEquivalents -dict-add 'Move to Trash' '\U007F'

It also makes ⌦ move files to trash when renaming files though. The same method doesn't work for delete (⌫).

You could also use KeyRemap4MacBook to change ⌫ to ⌘⌫ in Finder, but it would make renaming files and editing text even more difficult.

Even if you could change it in Finder, there would still be other places where just delete wouldn't work.

Try presbutan http://briankendall.net/presButan/ it should get you what you want.

Looks like there are new key combinations that have been included in recent versions of the OS. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201236

Command-Delete: Move the selected item to the Trash.
Shift-Command-Delete: Empty the Trash.
Option-Shift-Command-Delete: Empty the Trash without confirmation dialog.

How to delete a file using the delete key

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