Should People Be Allowed to Delete Files from a Windows Server?
Today I was in the process of deleting a number of files on Windows Server 2008
R2. How fun. I was using Windows Explorer and selected a number of files, held
down the shift key and pressed Delete to remove the files.
Dialog – Are you sure you want to remove these files (Default to true, press Y)
Dialog – Continue if you really want to delete these files (Default to true,
press Enter)
Dialog – This command requires Administration permissions, do you want to
accept this (Default No, Press Alt Y)
I think we need at least ten more prompts and lots more disk space, because it
is clearly not in my best interest to delete a file. I clearly don’t have a
clue about what I am doing and shouldn’t be deleting files.
How about a few other dialogs such as:
* What’s the Magic Word?
* Would you like to donate $1 to the Microsoft Institution for the
insane people having tried to delete files?
* Did your boss say this was ok?
* Maybe you should simply mark these files for deletion, and really do
it some other time?
* Why stop there, let’s format the whole drive and start over?
* Would you rather re-boot?
* I’m sorry Hal; I can’t do that.
* The last time you deleted files you wanted them back. Are you sure
this time?
* If you delete files, do they really go away? Really?
* The following users have access to these files…did you check with
them first?
* Please submit Voice Code for Authorization.
* I’ll delete the files if you’ll promise me that you will return them
later?
* I’m tired of deleting files; can’t we do something else for once?
* We know what’s best for you. File deletion is really a thing of the
past.
* May I recommend these other files for deletion too?
Well, now that I’m through with my little tantrum, I hope you have a great day.
Thanks for putting up with my sarcasm. If you have a sarcastic bent, feel free
to send me the dialogs you would like to see by writing to [email protected].
Or, if you prefer, include a tweet with the tag #WinDeleteDialog.
Cheers,
Ben
