Unlocking the Secrets: How to Delete Undeletable Files & Folders in Windows OS?
Have you ever encountered a file in Windows that just won’t delete no matter what you try? It can be incredibly annoying, but do not worry, there are solutions! In this guide, we’ll explore different methods to help you delete those stubborn, undeletable files & folders and regain control over your computer. Say goodbye to file deletion issues once and for all!
It is important to maintain your system free of junk files and other useless files using up storage space. Despite having administrator rights in Windows, users sometimes run into the problem of being unable to delete specific files/folders.
It can be brought on by a virus, malware, spyware, Trojan horse, adware, or corrupted/damaged system files and permissions, which lock the files and render them inaccessible.
In a few situations, the file cannot be deleted or destroyed because another program or important application is using it. Windows frequently displays the following errors when attempting to erase locked or undeletable files:
- Another application is using the file.
- A violation of sharing has occurred.
- File can’t be removed: Access is forbidden.
- The destination for the source or file is in use.
- The folder or file is damaged or unreadable.
This could be annoying if you’re trying to clear some space and a few problematic files prevent you from moving on. These documents be as small as a few bytes or as large as several gigabytes.
Multiple Methods to Delete Undeletable Files or Folders in Windows OS – 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, etc.
If you’ve experienced a similar problem, you can use a tool or a manual method to forcibly erase and remove these irremovable files to folders.
#1 Solution- Close the File or Folder and Try Again
If the notification “The action can’t be completed because a folder or a file in it is open in another program” appears, one can delete the folder or file by following the steps below-
- Select the Start button.
- To begin, enter “Task Manager” into the search field. Click on the application when it appears under “Best match” to open the Task Manager.
- Click End Task after selecting the application that needs to be closed.
- Application is terminated. Delete your file once more if necessary.
#2 Solution- Restart or Reboot the System
Rebooting the computer is frequently helpful in resolving a variety of computer issues and unusual performance, including erasing undeletable files or folders. The file may sometimes be in an unknown stage of development once you launch a certain software. You can effectively finish tasks, close apps, and erase files by restarting the computer.
- On the Taskbar, select Start.
- Type “Settings” into the search bar to get started. Click on the app when you see it under “Best match” to open the Settings app.
- Press System in the menu on the left.
- Go down the page and click Recovery.
- Hit Restart Now for Advanced Startup under Recovery Options.
- Restart Now once again to validate your selection.
- On the dialogue box with the options, click Troubleshoot.
- Pick Advanced Options.
- Choose Startup Settings.
- To start Windows 11 in Safe Mode, press either 4 or F4.
- Consider removing your file once more when Windows has restarted in Safe Mode.
#3 Solution- Delete Undeletable Files/Folders using Command Prompt
This enables you to remove files that cannot be deleted without the help of outside tools. To utilize this strategy, you must have some technical knowledge, though.
- Click the “Enter” key after typing “Command Prompt” or “CMD” in the search box after clicking the “Start” tab.
- Search results are displayed. Click “Run as administrator” from the list that comes when you right-click the “Command Prompt” icon found in the search results.
- This will open the command prompt window at the administrator level, which gives you complete command execution freedom.
The command to delete a file has the following syntax:
Location:
The delete option is denoted as DEL
The force delete option is denoted by /F:
/Q: refers to a variety of mode choices.
/A: stands for a number of file attributes, including read-only, hidden, archive-ready, etc.
/C: refers to your primary drive. In most situations, it’s the “C:” drive.
- For example, you must remove the “virus.exe” set up from the desktop. To forcefully delete the file from the system, type the command as it is displayed and hit the “Enter” key.
#4 Solution- Utilize FileASSASIN
Use the free program FileASSASIN to erase undeletable files and folders from your PC. You can run a web search for it or use the following URL to get it: http://fileassassin.en.softonic.com/
- Once FileASSASIN has been downloaded, double-click the program’s icon to launch it. The following screenshots show how the program’s primary interface looks:
- To choose the files you want to remove, click the browse button (a rectangle icon with three dots next to a blank area).
- Double-click the file to pick it after finding it in your search results. After choosing the file to be removed, select it by clicking in the box next to the “Delete file” option. A blue tick mark means the option has been opted.
- To delete the file, select “Execute” at the end. Now your file will be removed.
#5 Solution- Replace the Undeletable File
A file that cannot be deleted can be easily removed by simply replacing it with a different file with the same name and extension. As illustrated below, this is fairly simple to accomplish. Let’s say that “Tools” is the name of my undeletable file.
- On your computer, create a new notepad file and start typing anything into it. Right-click “File” and then select “Save as” to continue.
- Select the notepad save location so that it is in the same location as the files that cannot be deleted. Afterward, pick “All files” under the “Save as type” option for the file type.
- To copy the name of the undeletable file into the “Filename” option, click the undeletable file once more. As illustrated below, place a quote mark at the beginning and end of the file name before selecting the “Save” option.
- The query “Do you want to overwrite and replace the existing file?” will now appear in a message box. When “Yes” is opted, the new notepad file will be automatically changed by the undeletable file. Simply choose the notepad file and click the “Delete” tab to remove it from your computer.
#6 Solution- Delete Undeletable Files & Folders using Expert Data Erasure Tool
If none of the methods listed above work for you, you might need to try a third-party tool like CubexSoft Data Erasure Software, which can delete locked and inaccessible files and folders from your system and help you free up space that isn’t actually needed.
Also, this professional Data Eraser Tool can help you permanently erase any traces of your internet usage, system activity, application activity, and other files and folders beyond the reach of recovery, protecting your privacy. This utility safely removes data utilizing 15+ international erasure standards, including NATO, DOD Standard 5220.22-M, 3 Pass/7 Pass, Peter Gutmann, B.Schnerier’s Algorithms, and so on.
