# \#permanently-delete **URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/tag/permanently-delete/599.md [Latest](https://meta.discourse.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://meta.discourse.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://meta.discourse.org/tags.md) --- ## [Category has been deleted, but still can't permanently delete the "About" topic](https://meta.discourse.org/t/category-has-been-deleted-but-still-cant-permanently-delete-the-about-topic/411015)
**Author:** [@alltiagocom](https://meta.discourse.org/u/alltiagocom)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2026, 11:46pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/category-has-been-deleted-but-still-cant-permanently-delete-the-about-topic/411015 "2026-08-26T23:46:46Z")
I can’t delete the “About” topic, even when the category is no longer available (got deleted). And when I click the circular arrow to un-close and then try again: --- ## [Deletion of Categories fails](https://meta.discourse.org/t/deletion-of-categories-fails/409236)
**Author:** [@Thomas\_Rother](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Thomas_Rother)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 7:33am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/deletion-of-categories-fails/409236 "2026-08-04T07:33:25Z")
We are consolidating categories and contents in our Discourse instance at forum.netzwissen.de I moved all topics (including the description topic) into an internal “archive” category as admin, with bulk operations. But i… --- ## [Permanently Delete does not show (even after 5 minutes)](https://meta.discourse.org/t/permanently-delete-does-not-show-even-after-5-minutes/408754)
**Author:** [@tkforbes](https://meta.discourse.org/u/tkforbes)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 1:06pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/permanently-delete-does-not-show-even-after-5-minutes/408754 "2026-07-29T13:06:36Z")
I have a self-hosted Discourse. It is quite up to date (a few weeks since update). Per Enable setting to allow admins to permanently delete data, the feature is enabled. I use the wrench to delete a topic as a moderator… --- ## [How can I permanently delete a topic with multiple posts?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-can-i-permanently-delete-a-topic-with-multiple-posts/356159)
**Author:** [@Jongin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Jongin)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 12:56pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-can-i-permanently-delete-a-topic-with-multiple-posts/356159 "2026-07-29T12:56:58Z")
How can I permanently delete a topic with multiple posts? With this method, i only can delete posts one by one e later the topic --- ## [Clarify wording of “delete removed posts after” setting](https://meta.discourse.org/t/clarify-wording-of-delete-removed-posts-after-setting/403690)
**Author:** [@Ethsim2](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Ethsim2)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2026, 8:53am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/clarify-wording-of-delete-removed-posts-after-setting/403690 "2026-05-23T08:53:09Z")
Continuing the discussion from Split “delete all posts and topics allowed groups” into own-content and global-content permissions: The wording of delete\_removed\_posts\_after is also slightly ambiguous. It currently says… --- ## [Having trouble permanently deleting a post?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/topic/401981)
**Author:** [@bird](https://meta.discourse.org/u/bird)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 12:48am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/topic/401981 "2026-05-01T00:48:58Z")
Hello everyone, I'm getting a message when trying to permanently delete a post: This topic still has 0 posts that need to be permanently deleted before the topic itself can be permanently deleted. How can I resolve this? --- ## [Enable setting to allow admins to permanently delete data](https://meta.discourse.org/t/enable-setting-to-allow-admins-to-permanently-delete-data/206678)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2026, 9:38am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/enable-setting-to-allow-admins-to-permanently-delete-data/206678 "2026-04-30T09:38:49Z")
:bookmark: This is a guide on how to enable the setting for administrators to permanently delete data on a Discourse instance. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Admin As of v2026.4.0 Changelog | Discourse Re… --- ## [Introducing permanently delete post functionality](https://meta.discourse.org/t/introducing-permanently-delete-post-functionality/207109)
**Author:** [@nbianca](https://meta.discourse.org/u/nbianca)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2026, 2:10pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/introducing-permanently-delete-post-functionality/207109 "2026-04-22T14:10:01Z")
When a post is deleted in Discourse, we perform a soft-delete. This means that post is still present in the database in case an administrator wants to recover it later. A soft-delete is not sufficient when the deleted po… --- ## [Are images and other attachments also deleted after permanently deleting a post?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/topic/399315)
**Author:** [@sniper756](https://meta.discourse.org/u/sniper756)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2026, 11:35am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/topic/399315 "2026-03-27T11:35:16Z")
After permanently deleting a post, will the images and other attachments in it also be deleted? --- ## [Issue with recovering posts to un-deleted state when permanently deleting](https://meta.discourse.org/t/topic/398938)
**Author:** [@sniper756](https://meta.discourse.org/u/sniper756)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2026, 4:24pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/topic/398938 "2026-03-23T16:24:38Z")
Issue reproduction steps: 1. Delete the post. 2. Immediately permanently delete the post just deleted before the 5-minute waiting period is over. 3. The prompt requiring a 5-minute wait appears normally. 4. After automatically returning, the issue occurs: the deleted post is automatically restored to the undeleted state, requiring deletion again, and then waiting another 5 minutes for permanent deletion. --- ## [User deletion problem, returns "Error 500" on delete all posts](https://meta.discourse.org/t/user-deletion-problem-returns-error-500-on-delete-all-posts/397700)
**Author:** [@kpums](https://meta.discourse.org/u/kpums)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2026, 8:00am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/user-deletion-problem-returns-error-500-on-delete-all-posts/397700 "2026-03-06T08:00:13Z")
Had issue with one user that requested deletion of their account. When before account deletion, in user administration part I was attempting to use Delete all posts I got Error 500 after confirming the action. For now … --- ## [Error during permanently deleting a post of a deleted user](https://meta.discourse.org/t/error-during-permanently-deleting-a-post-of-a-deleted-user/327510)
**Author:** [@uwe\_keim](https://meta.discourse.org/u/uwe_keim)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/error-during-permanently-deleting-a-post-of-a-deleted-user/327510 "2024-09-23T20:10:44Z")
I’ve enabled the Permanently Delete functionality as described in “Introducing permanently delete post functionality”. I have a spam post in a topic. I’ve deleted the spam user and soft-deleted the spam post some months… --- ## [Introduce a way to also permanently delete the sensitive info from the staff logs](https://meta.discourse.org/t/introduce-a-way-to-also-permanently-delete-the-sensitive-info-from-the-staff-logs/292546)
**Author:** [@wesochuck](https://meta.discourse.org/u/wesochuck)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2024, 8:14am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/introduce-a-way-to-also-permanently-delete-the-sensitive-info-from-the-staff-logs/292546 "2024-07-23T08:14:34Z")
It seems that the design of this feature was to remove the post data from the database completely. However, we find that the data is still in the database via the /admin/logs/staff\_action\_logs We were trying to remo… --- ## [Where is the option to permanently delete?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/where-is-the-option-to-permanently-delete/292545)
**Author:** [@Ventrilo](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Ventrilo)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/where-is-the-option-to-permanently-delete/292545 "2024-01-22T18:14:28Z")
this doesn’t work as intended, when enabling and turning to true, the option isn’t available on-site do you need to rebuild the app ?? --- ## [Final deletion does not work correctly](https://meta.discourse.org/t/final-deletion-does-not-work-correctly/272733)
**Author:** [@OrkoGrayskull](https://meta.discourse.org/u/OrkoGrayskull)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2023, 8:35am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/final-deletion-does-not-work-correctly/272733 "2023-11-21T08:35:29Z")
I have enabled the “Introducing permanently delete post functionality”. I can delete most of the posts. However, there are some posts where the following message appears: An error has occurred: This topic has recovered… --- ## [Permanent deletion: Function not available](https://meta.discourse.org/t/permanent-deletion-function-not-available/271537)
**Author:** [@OrkoGrayskull](https://meta.discourse.org/u/OrkoGrayskull)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/permanent-deletion-function-not-available/271537 "2023-07-13T15:31:51Z")
I have activated the function to permanently delete posts. However, the function is not visible even after activation. cd /var/discourse ./launcher enter app rails c SiteSetting.can\_permanently\_delete=true exit exit I … --- ## [Where to find the 'permanently delete' function?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/where-to-find-the-permanently-delete-function/270818)
**Author:** [@wangx1ng](https://meta.discourse.org/u/wangx1ng)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2023, 1:44pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/where-to-find-the-permanently-delete-function/270818 "2023-07-05T13:44:40Z")
Hello Jammy, when will this feature be available? Since it’s already written in the doc here, shouldn’t it be available already? I’m using 3.1.0.beta5 and tried both ways (executing SiteSetting.can\_permanently\_delete=… --- ## [How do I enable Permanently Delete when using a hosted service?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-do-i-enable-permanently-delete-when-using-a-hosted-service/271405)
**Author:** [@bitsondatadev](https://meta.discourse.org/u/bitsondatadev)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2023, 4:12am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-do-i-enable-permanently-delete-when-using-a-hosted-service/271405 "2023-06-21T04:12:44Z")
How do I update the hidden settings on a managed Discourse site? --- ## [Permanently delete not functioning](https://meta.discourse.org/t/permanently-delete-not-functioning/249248)
**Author:** [@Soenneker](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Soenneker)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2023, 4:21pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/permanently-delete-not-functioning/249248 "2023-01-19T16:21:37Z")
I’m on version 2.9.0.beta14 and I enabled permanently delete via DISCOURSE\_CAN\_PERMANENTLY\_DELETE in app.yml. The option comes up in the forum for a post and if I click it, it brings up a modal asking for me to confirm … --- ## [Where do I set Permanently Delete?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/where-do-i-set-permanently-delete/271402)
**Author:** [@auriv](https://meta.discourse.org/u/auriv)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2022, 10:02am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/where-do-i-set-permanently-delete/271402 "2022-09-18T10:02:53Z")
I am a beginner in the world of hosting and wanted to ask you: Where can I change the value you described? Is there a config file in discourse folder? or do I need to change it somewhere in docker? A little hint would… --- ## [Permanent deletion bug](https://meta.discourse.org/t/permanent-deletion-bug/231576)
**Author:** [@VincentAlse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/VincentAlse)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2022, 4:57pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/permanent-deletion-bug/231576 "2022-07-06T16:57:26Z")
I think there is a bug with permanent deletion. I delete a couple of posts. Now I cannot open the deleted post list. You can see here I still have 342 deleted posts. But when I click on it. It leads to a 404 page. I… --- ## [How to permanently delete a post?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-to-permanently-delete-a-post/230105)
**Author:** [@Bitweb\_Core](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Bitweb_Core)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2022, 6:46pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-to-permanently-delete-a-post/230105 "2022-06-15T18:46:24Z")
Qustion is how i can permanet delete post. thread ? i was see there was ./launcher enter app rails c Post.find(THE\_POST\_ID).destroy but no really undestand how find it id , and how to delete it compleate . --- ## [Error when attempting to permanently delete as moderator](https://meta.discourse.org/t/error-when-attempting-to-permanently-delete-as-moderator/222284)
**Author:** [@JammyDodger](https://meta.discourse.org/u/JammyDodger)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2022, 12:09am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/error-when-attempting-to-permanently-delete-as-moderator/222284 "2022-04-01T00:09:20Z")
Continuing the discussion from Introducing permanently delete post functionality: While testing to see if a moderator had the ability to Permanently Delete a post I noticed that the Permanently Delete option is avaible … --- ## [Who can Permanently Delete?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/who-can-permanently-delete/271403)
**Author:** [@sarahann](https://meta.discourse.org/u/sarahann)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/who-can-permanently-delete/271403 "2022-03-28T22:45:19Z")
I wanted to document this here. The permanently delete functionality for various user groups: | User Group | Has Permanently Delete | | ----------- | ---------------------- | | Admin | Y | | … --- ## [Can we have some clarity on the permanent deletion? and 500 errors](https://meta.discourse.org/t/can-we-have-some-clarity-on-the-permanent-deletion-and-500-errors/206776)
**Author:** [@flash](https://meta.discourse.org/u/flash)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2022, 8:35am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/can-we-have-some-clarity-on-the-permanent-deletion-and-500-errors/206776 "2022-03-21T08:35:29Z")
Permanent deletion was enabled via command line. I went to delete a post, waited the minute to permanently delete it. Says deleted and doesnt show as hidden anymore. However it shows in the logs\>staff actions\>show every… --- ## [Does enabling Permanently Delete require a rebuild?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/does-enabling-permanently-delete-require-a-rebuild/271400)
**Author:** [@sarahann](https://meta.discourse.org/u/sarahann)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2022, 2:35am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/does-enabling-permanently-delete-require-a-rebuild/271400 "2022-03-04T02:35:23Z")
Thanks so much for this thread! :slight\_smile: I think it’s exactly what I am looking for. I had a few questions, if I enable this: will I need to do a ./launcher rebuild app afterwards? will the value be stored in th… --- ## [Admin Deleting Posts](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-deleting-posts/209439)
**Author:** [@Chani\_Freedman-Thumi](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Chani_Freedman-Thumi)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2021, 7:05pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-deleting-posts/209439 "2021-11-17T19:05:42Z")
Can an admin delete posts of members? --- ## [Are there any performance or inconsistency issues when using Permanently Delete?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/are-there-any-performance-or-inconsistency-issues-when-using-permanently-delete/271398)
**Author:** [@Simon\_Manning](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Simon_Manning)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2021, 7:38pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/are-there-any-performance-or-inconsistency-issues-when-using-permanently-delete/271398 "2021-11-17T19:38:35Z")
Are there dangers such as reduced database performance, inconsistencies, anything else? Or is not being able to recover the permanently deleted posts the only danger? --- ## [Permanently deletion of private messages crashes](https://meta.discourse.org/t/permanently-deletion-of-private-messages-crashes/206640)
**Author:** [@trobiyo](https://meta.discourse.org/u/trobiyo)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2021, 10:58am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/permanently-deletion-of-private-messages-crashes/206640 "2021-10-28T10:58:04Z")
Hi team, I’ve been playing a bit with the new feature offered in the v2.8.0.beta7 release about permanently deletion of posts (really much appreaciated), and I think Ive found a potential bug while trying to delete a pr… --- ## [Unclear what console](https://meta.discourse.org/t/unclear-what-console/206674)
**Author:** [@permanentlydelete](https://meta.discourse.org/u/permanentlydelete)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2021, 2:50pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/unclear-what-console/206674 "2021-10-21T14:50:35Z")
A new site setting, can permanently delete has been added to support this. This setting is not accessible via the UI - an admin with SSH access must enable it via the console. 2.8.0.beta7: Security Release, Fast Edits,… [Next page](https://meta.discourse.org/tag/permanently-delete/599.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=permanently-delete)