Wikipedia:How to delete pages

In normal circumstances, pages are not deleted from the Wikipedia. It is, of course, possible for any user to delete information from a page, and this information will be available in the page history for others to view and put back if they wish.

In a few specific circumstances, pages may be deleted from Wikipedia outright, removing not only the current version but also all previous versions. Only Administrators are able to delete pages, and the administrator will leave time for discussion before deleting a page. Examples of the special circumstances in which pages may be deleted are pages with copyrighted material reproduced without permission, or very short pages containing only nonsense.

To request that a page be permanently deleted, put the page title on Wikipedia:Votes for deletion, with the reason why you think it should be deleted. It will remain there for a time, giving other users the chance to comment on whether they think deletion is in fact appropriate. At some point an administrator will come by the page and decide to remove it for you. Unless someone else comes by and decides not to agree with you, of course! The policy on permanent deletion of pages page gives more details about this.

If the pages are your personal subpages (IE, if they are like user:YOURNAME/title[?] or user talk:YOURNAME/title[?]) then instead go to Wikipedia:Personal subpages to be deleted.

Usually (but not always), rather than deleting a page, the page should be redirected somewhere useful. For example, if someone writes a nice article on 'JFK' it should be moved to 'John F Kennedy' (or similar) and a wikipedia:redirect put in place.