When you try to delete a file or folder and find that it won’t delete, it can be incredibly frustrating. However, there are ways to remove stubborn files or folders, even if they refuse to disappear with a simple click of the ‘delete’ button. Below are five methods to help you delete those pesky files and folders that won’t budge.
Method 1: Use the Command Prompt
The Command Prompt is a powerful tool that you can use to execute commands and perform various functions on your computer. One of the functions it can perform is deleting files and folders that won’t delete using the traditional method.
- Open the Command Prompt by typing ‘cmd’ into the search bar and pressing enter.
- Type ‘cd’ followed by the path to the folder that contains the file or folder you want to delete. For example, if the file is located in the ‘Downloads’ folder, type ‘cd C:\Users\YourUsername\Downloads’.
- Type ‘dir’ to view the contents of the folder. Look for the file or folder you want to delete.
- Type ‘del filename.extension’ to delete a file. For example, if the file you want to delete is called ‘example.txt’, type ‘del example.txt’. If you want to delete a folder, type ‘rmdir foldername’.
Method 2: Use Safe Mode
If a file or folder won’t delete because it is being used by a running program, you can try deleting it in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is a diagnostic and troubleshooting mode of Windows that loads a limited set of drivers and services. It can help you troubleshoot and fix problems that prevent Windows from starting correctly.
- Restart your computer and press the F8 key repeatedly before the Windows logo appears.
- Select ‘Safe Mode’ from the list of startup options.
- Once you’re in Safe Mode, try deleting the file or folder again.
Method 3: Use a Third-Party Program
There are many third-party programs available that are designed specifically for deleting stubborn files and folders. These programs are easy to use and can save you a lot of time and frustration. One such program is ‘Unlocker’.
- Download and install Unlocker.
- Right-click on the file or folder you want to delete and select ‘Unlocker’ from the context menu.
- Select ‘Delete’ from the list of options.
- Click ‘OK’ to confirm that you want to delete the file or folder.
Method 4: Check File Permissions
If you’re still having trouble deleting a file or folder, it might be because of permissions issues. Windows assigns permissions to files and folders to determine who can access them and what actions they can perform on them. If the file or folder you’re trying to delete has specific permissions assigned to it, you might need to change those permissions before you can delete it.
- Right-click on the file or folder you want to delete and select ‘Properties’.
- Select the ‘Security’ tab.
- Click ‘Edit’ to change the permissions.
- Select the user or group you want to give access to and check the ‘Full control’ box.
- Click ‘OK’ to save the changes.
Method 5: Use a Live CD or USB Drive
If all else fails, you can try using a live CD or USB drive to boot into a different operating system and delete the file or folder from there. A live CD or USB drive is a bootable device that contains an operating system that you can run directly from the CD or USB drive without installing it on your computer.
- Download and create a bootable live CD or USB drive.
- Restart your computer and boot from the CD or USB drive.
- Navigate to the file or folder you want to delete and try deleting it as normal.
FAQ
Q: Why won’t my file or folder delete?
A: There are several reasons why a file or folder might not delete, including permissions issues, file sharing, running programs, and corrupted files.
Q: Can I recover a file or folder that I deleted?
A: If you deleted a file or folder by mistake, you might be able to recover it using a file recovery program. However, if you have already emptied the Recycle Bin or deleted the file using ‘Shift+Delete’, the file is likely permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
