How to delete a file that cannot be deleted in windows 7. Reasons for the appearance of objects that cannot be deleted on the computer

Sometimes you have to face the situation when a file cannot be deleted .

• The file is in use by another program and cannot be deleted.
• In another situation, the system protection of the file system is triggered, then it is reported that access to the given file is denied.

Before asking the question - how to delete non-removable file, you should think about whether the correct actions are performed for the file deletion operation?

Incorrect deletion of Windows 10 files

How to delete non-removable files Windows 10

Before deleting system files, you need to make sure in safety deleting such files. Deleting files necessary for Windows to work will lead to a complete crash of the system.

To delete system files, it is necessary to have administrator rights. Such rights allow you to exercise control over the file system at the administrator level and be responsible for deleting most Windows 10 files .

How to Check Administrator Rights on Windows 10

Start menu and Change account settings. records

Under your account name there should be an inscription Administrator

If the first option for deleting files did not help, then the following options are suitable for deleting the remnants (garbage) of incorrectly removed programs or applications. Using these methods, you can delete non-removable file without rebooting the system.

All ways to delete files from a computer

1. Rename the deleted file, replacing its name with an arbitrary one. After rebooting the system, it will become possible to delete the file, since Windows 10 will no longer protect it from deletion, since we renamed it.
2. Remove all additional attributes. Open the properties of the selected object through the context menu, uncheck its additional attributes, in particular by removing the "read-only" and "system" properties, repeat the deletion procedure;
3. Open the file in a suitable program. If the object is typical (for example, a text file with the appropriate extension), try opening it in the appropriate program, then change the contents and resave, making the deletion a second time;
4. Check the dates. If the file properties contain clearly incorrect creation and modification dates (differences of decades or more), try changing them to realistic ones using the Advanced Properties tab
Perform a classic reboot of Windows 10 through the Start menu while holding Shift - after its implementation, you will be shown a screen for selecting options, where you need to sequentially go through the sections "Troubleshooting", "Advanced options", "Boot options", after then press the "Reload" button. Wait for the process to complete and when a list of options appears, press F4. In the downloaded safe mode, try to delete the file in a regular way;
5. Using resuscitator or LiveCD/Flash. Boot from any available LiveCD / DVD or flash drive, regardless of the system installed on it (Windows, Linux, etc.) - the main thing is that your OS on the hard drive does not participate in the process. Try to delete the file;
6. Connecting a hard drive as a drive to another PC. In the absence of LiveCD / Flash, you can simply connect your hard drive to another PC through an external “pocket” or by direct connection to the SATA (or other interface that your hard drive uses) cable, and then repeat the original operation with the file.

If you do not know how to delete a folder that cannot be deleted, then our material will help you figure it out.

Everyone periodically deals with "undeletable" folders on the PC.

It is foolish to blame anyone for this, even the system, which tells us that this directory is currently occupied by some process.

As a result, all liquidation manipulations end in a fiasco. Getting to the main topic: how to delete a folder that is not deleted on (win8)?

There are 5 options for solving the problem:

Let's try to deal with the situation.

Reboot

So, you intend to delete the ill-fated directory, but the system claims that it cannot do this for one reason or another.

The main reason is the use of files in any application or process running at the moment.

The example shows that it is not possible to eliminate the “screenshots” folder, since one or more files are currently being used by one of the Windows programs.

Since most do not know which one, they have no choice but to restart the machine.

Click "Start" (1), then click on the small square (2) near the "shutdown" button. Select the item with reboot (3).

System check

If you do not want to restart, but decide to get to the bottom of the truth, check if the currently running application is in the folder.

Let's say you decide to get rid of Skype for some reason, not only by uninstalling, but by barbaric deletion of the folder in which all the contents of the program are located.

Let's consider this option.

Let's open the folder first. We follow the path: Drive C - Programm Files - Skype.

We see such a picture.

And this is what the system gives out if you press "Delete" on the keyboard.

Firstly, the program is running, so the ability to uninstall is blocked by the system. Secondly, it "hangs" in the task manager, namely in processes.

You need to close the program and, just in case, “kill” the process so that the notification does not appear again.

How to delete a folder that is not deleted from the flash drive? That's right, by pre-checking with an antivirus.

Open the antivirus and scan the drive. Then we try to delete the folder. If it doesn't work, you will have to format the flash drive.

The procedure is the following. Right click on the drive and select Format.

Before us is a menu with settings.

1. flash drive capacity;
2. File system;
3. Volume label (drive name);
4. formatting method;
5. Starting a process.

The focus is on the file system. FAT 32 should be selected by default. So the contents of the drive can be "read" by any PC.

Any name can be given as it does not affect any parameter.

But for better formatting, it is better to uncheck the “quick cleanup” box. Click "start" and wait.

Folder settings

This technique is good for network directories. In other words, several PCs are combined into a single subnet.

The administrator creates one or more public folders where various information can be dumped. So that no one inadvertently deletes it, it sets access rights.

This is done in the following way. First, open the properties of the folder with the right button.

Go to the "security" section and click "advanced".

We select a group or user to whom we "cut the rights".

Select the group again, and now set the access level.

If you check the boxes for the two items related to deletion, the user over the network will not be able to delete either the folder or its contents.

In all other cases, everyone will have full access to the data.

Good afternoon, dear readers! In the process of working at a computer, many of us, I think, have to deal with a situation where folder not deleted or some specific file. Moreover, in some cases, in response to a request to delete a folder or file, the operating system notifies us that the file being deleted is currently being used by a particular program, so the operation of deleting this file is impossible.

What if the folder or file is not deleted? How can we still delete a non-deleted file, we will find out in today's article.

So, the file that you want to delete from your computer is not deleted in any way, and instead of the usual appearance of a dialog box about deleting a file, the system gives an error. Errors can be very different, for example, this file is locked or occupied by another application, or the disk is write-protected, full, etc. Of course, if the open file is in the active state, for example, a Microsoft Word document, then you must first close this document, and then proceed to delete this file.

But what if the folder or the same file is not deleted even after all applications are closed, which may prevent its deletion? That's when you start to wonder why i can't delete the file? Moreover, in some cases it happens that it is not possible to delete a file as a result of the fact that the user himself has blocked the file due to his incorrect actions.

In the end, over time, a number of such files accumulate in the computer and take up free space on the hard drive. In this case, the free space limit decreases, the operating system starts to slow down, and this, in turn, leads to various kinds of errors, as a result, your computer may at one point display a message: “The operating system cannot start due to a missing or corrupted file ". Well, then everything is according to the scenario, I think you can guess - this is reinstalling the system, installing programs, losing important information, searching and restoring.

In general, an extra headache, but do you need it? I think, of course not. Therefore, my advice to you, friends, watch your computer and avoid clutter on your hard drive. Save a lot of time, money, nerves and increase the life of your computer. By the way, I almost forgot to tell you, if your computer is currently slowing down, and unexpected failures occur in your work, then I recommend that you read the article.

Folder not deleted

So, I suggest that you consider a step-by-step algorithm of actions if a folder or file on your computer is not deleted. Let's say I can't delete a file from my computer, a notification appears that this file is being used by some application. First of all, I have to check if the file is really used by any program?

How to check this, you might ask! It's very simple, it will be enough for us to open the task manager and look in the processes tab for the presence of the file to be deleted.

You can find more details about the task manager in the article "", I explained in sufficient detail what and what everything is for, so I recommend that you read the article to refresh your knowledge.

Well, if the file is present in the processes tab, then it should first be closed and later it can be deleted. If the file cannot be closed, that is, the open file is frozen and does not respond to user commands, which is a very common situation. In this case, it is recommended to simply end the process of such a file by clicking "End Process".

It should be added that it is not always possible to delete the file by resorting to the end of the process, since the folder itself can store encrypted documents according to the initially set parameters, in this case you will need to uncheck the “encrypt data” option. It is extremely rare that there are situations when a folder is not deleted for the simple reason that its name matches the system folder.

In general, of course, if you still cannot delete a folder, then I recommend that you scan your computer for viruses, because it is viruses that can cause the folder being deleted to be blocked. For example, here is an article on how to scan your computer for viruses.

Since it may be that your account simply does not allow you to delete, edit data on the computer. In this case, you should either log in with an administrator account and then delete the file or folder, or simply expand the rights of your account. If for you such concepts as "Account", "Administrator" are a dense forest, then in this case, be sure to read my article "" for a complete understanding of the account.

In the “Security” tab, click “Advanced” and in the window that opens, in the “Effective Permissions” tab, make sure that there are no checkmarks in the Read and Execute items.

Here are actually some tips that you can do to delete a folder or file without resorting to installing special programs. But of course, there are situations when the above methods do not allow you to simply delete a folder or file.

There are various programs, utilities that allow you to delete locked folders, files, in addition, thanks to such programs, you can easily move, rename files that should be deleted. One such free utility is called Unlocker.

Let's see how to work with it. First you need to download this utility by clicking on the following link http://unlocker-ru.com/unlocker.html In the page that opens, select your version of the operating system and click on download from the official site.

After the utility has successfully downloaded to your computer, proceed with its installation. During the installation of the utility, you will need to read the license agreement. I also recommend that you select the "Advanced" installation section, unchecking all the boxes.

At the next installation step, the utility will by default indicate the installation path to the programs folder, you just need to click "Next".

At the end of the installation, check the boxes "Integrate into Explorer" and "Check for updates".

That's all the utility is installed. Let's imagine that in our computer there is no way folder not deleted. Open the folder location path and right-click on the non-deleted folder.

In the context menu that appears, click "Unlocker". Select "Delete" and click "OK".

All object was successfully deleted. If the process is active during the deletion process, the corresponding window will open, in which you will first need to unlock the file, and then proceed to delete it.

It should be noted that this utility is an excellent solution in the fight against non-deleted folders or files.

Concluding today's article, I believe that now if a folder or file is not deleted for any reason in your daily work at the computer, then this utility will perfectly cope with the task. That's all for me! See you all in the next article, where we will find out =>

An overview of the Unlocker program for Windows, as well as its analogues. Detailed instructions on how to delete files and folders that are not deleted forcibly: by closing processes that block deletion.

Description of Unlocker

Unlocker is an effective program for deleting undeletable files in the Windows OS environment. It bypasses system restrictions and points the user to processes that are blocking access. These processes prevent deletion, which causes files and folders that cannot be deleted in the usual way.

Unlocker is one of the few utilities that has a clear interface in Russian. This is partly why the program is very easy to use. In Unlocker, you can drag files into the window and immediately delete files by killing unnecessary processes. The right column displays the current status of the file or folder:

• "not blocked" - you can delete a file that cannot be deleted without forcing other processes to close.
• "blocked" - Unlocker will tell you which processes are preventing you from forcibly deleting a folder (file), after which you can forcefully close them and perform the desired operation.

Main features of the Unlocker program

• forced deletion of files and directories on disk
• deleting both folders and multiple files at the same time
• view processes that are blocking deletion in the usual way

Scenarios when the Unlocker utility can be useful

• access to the file or folder is denied (the program is being used by another process)
• there are connections to the file on the local network
• source or destination path is in use by another application
• the file is in use by another system process

In general, if a folder or file is not deleted, the Unlocker program is a universal and simple tool for forcing deletion.

Further, in the instructions, we will tell you how to delete undeletable files quickly and safely. Note that we are talking about a program called IObit Unlocker. There is an application of the same name on the Internet (Emptyloop Unlocker), but it has not been developed since 2013, and the official website is not available. As for Unlocker by IObit developers, this product is under development and can be downloaded from the link below.

Where to download the Unlocker program

You can download Unlocker - a program for deleting undeletable files - on the download page. Link on the right.

Although the latest version of Unlocker 1.1 was released in 2015, there are no compatibility issues on new versions of Windows. The list includes Windows 10 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP.

The Unlocker program is available in two versions: Portable and standard installation (IObit Unlocker 1.1 Final). The Portable version can be installed anywhere. In this case, the standard version of Unlocker will be installed in the Program Files system folder.

There is not much difference from where to download the program: in both cases, Unlocker can be downloaded for free.

How to forcefully delete a file or folder that cannot be deleted

Let's understand together how the program works. It consists of one window. To force delete a folder or file:

1. add files by clicking on the "Add" button at the bottom of the window
2. alternatively, you can drag files or folders to the Unlocker window

In the list you will see the added files and the status - "blocked" or "not blocked". Accordingly, unblocked data can be deleted without using Unlocker "a. We are more interested in the second option.

So, how to delete a folder that is not deleted?

1. Highlight the line with the file or folder.
2. Check the option "Force"
3. Click the "Unblock" button.
4. Unlocker will terminate processes that block access to file operations

How to delete an undeletable file yourself without harming other processes

Advice. The Unlocker program is not omnipotent. If you add the system path, a message like "can't delete folder" will appear. In addition, you must soberly assess the danger of deleting files and clearly understand what you are deleting.

If the file is not deleted, it is not necessary to kill the processes forcibly. Let's say you're editing text and want to delete a file. Unlocker will figure out that you need to close the Word.exe (word processor) process to unlock it. As a result, you will lose the file currently being edited. In fact, there may be other scenarios, but the essence is the same: if you massively kill processes, this can lead to negative consequences.

The best way to delete a file from your computer is to add it to iObit Unlocker, look at the processes that interfere with deletion and complete them correctly: close applications while saving open documents. This is a definite plus of Unlocker "a: you can always control the process.

Lockhunter

Developer: Crystal Rich Ltd.
Website: http://lockhunter.com/

Lockhunter is a program for deleting folders and files that are not deleted for some unknown reason. Often (as you could see in the case of Unlocker) this is due to the fact that processes block access to deleted objects. Lockhunter is able to detect processes that are blocking access to files. Unlike similar tools, files and folders are deleted to the trash, so you can restore them at the right time. By the way, the main purpose of this utility is to remove viruses and malware: these harmful applications like to block access to themselves for the sake of self-preservation.

How to Force Delete a Folder or Files with Lockhunter

This method will allow you to delete a system folder or file occupied by other processes. The technique will be useful in the forced destruction of viruses.

1. Specify in the main window of the program the location of the folder (file) for forced deletion. The list will show the processes that are blocking the items.
2. Remove processes that lock files by clicking on the UnlockIt!
3. Select the folder and press the DeleteIt! for complete removal.

Malwarebytes FileASSASSIN

Website: https://www.malwarebytes.com/fileassassin/

FileASSASSIN is a useful program for deleting files that are not deleted in the standard way, without stopping processes. Here is a list of errors that this program can solve in your favor:

• File not deleted: access denied
• Make sure the disk is not full and
• File is currently in use
• The source or destination of the file can be used
• The file is being used by another program or user

Sysinternals Process Monitor

Website: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/processmonitor.aspx
Developer: Mark Russinovich

To a greater extent, this tool is intended for in-depth research of Windows processes, and it can only be advised to experienced users. However, this professional task manager monitors not only processes, but also threads, the file system and the Registry. If the file is not deleted, Process Monitor will help you identify dependencies and then delete, for example, a system file or folder, without any problems.

Deleting non-removable files: questions and answers

The file in the Windows folder is not deleted. What to do?

Answer. If you want to delete an element with a system path from this folder, then you won't be able to do it even with iObit Unlocker. As I already said, the program cannot delete Windows system files - powerful protection at the kernel level works.

Files are not deleted from the flash drive. Do I need to download Unlocker in a portable version to a flash drive?

Answer. Not necessary. The standard version of Unlocker is quite suitable for these purposes. You can drag files into the program window, kill processes and then safely delete the files.

I downloaded Unlocker from the official site, but the program differs from that described in the instructions. What to do, how to delete a folder that cannot be deleted?

Answer. The fact is that you downloaded another program (from the developer of Emptyloop), although it has the same name. In principle, the trouble is small, this program has a similar functionality. If it does not suit you, just download iObit Unlocker from the link provided at the beginning of the article.

If the computer reports that the file is open in another program

Most often, the inability to delete a file in Windows is due to the fact that it is busy with some kind of system process. When this happens, the message "The action cannot be performed because this file is open in" appears. The name of the program».

In this case, you need to close the program that uses the file and try to delete it again. If you see her window, just close it. If a program is running in the background and you don't know how to close it, launch the "Task Manager" (Ctrl + Alt + Del), find this program by name in the list, right-click on it and select "End task".

If you cannot find the program you need in the Task Manager, try a third-party utility that unlocks files. The free app LockHunter will do. After installing it, right-click on the file and select What is locking this file?. When the LockHunter window appears, click on the Unlock It! button in it.

Then try deleting the file again. If unsuccessful, restart your computer and try again. To completely remove from your computer, do not forget to empty the Trash.

If your computer says you are denied access

Sometimes you can't delete a file because your account doesn't have permission to do so. In such cases, Windows reports that access is denied. To solve this problem, you need to change the owner of the file. In the process, you may need a login and password from the PC administrator account.

To change permissions, right-click on the file and go to "Properties" → "Security" → "Advanced". Next to the "Owner" item, click "Change", then "Advanced" and "Search". Select the current account from the list and click OK.

After that, you will most likely be able to delete the file in the usual way. If it doesn't work, try restarting your computer and try again.

How to delete a file in macOS

If the Mac says the file is in use

To get started, manually close the applications in which you used this file and try erasing it again. They can interfere with uninstallation, as they do on Windows. If unsuccessful, restart your computer and try the uninstall again.

If that doesn't work, enter Safe Mode. To do this, restart your Mac while holding the Shift key. Try moving the file to the trash and emptying it, then restart your computer in normal mode.

If the file cannot be deleted for other reasons

The file may not be deleted due to disk errors. Therefore, launch the "Disk Utility" in the Finder → "Programs" → "Utilities" section and check the disk on which the file is located in it with the "First Aid" service.

Once verified, restart your Mac and try deleting the file.