How to Delete Files That Cannot Be Deleted Windows 10?

Are you trying to delete a file on Windows 10 but you keep getting a message saying it can't be deleted? You're not alone. Many Windows 10 users have experienced the same issue when trying to delete a file or folder.

In this article, we'll show you how to delete files that cannot be deleted in Windows 10, so you can finally get rid of that pesky file or folder.

How to Delete Files That Cannot Be Deleted Windows 10

Step-by-Step Tutorial

• Open the command prompt as an administrator.
• Type del and the path of the file you want to delete, enclosed in double quotes. For example, del "C:\example\example.txt".
• Press Enter and the file will be deleted. If you get an “Access is denied” error, you will need to take ownership of the file first.
• Take ownership of the file by typing takeown /f "C:\example\example.txt" and press Enter.
• Type icacls "C:\example\example.txt" /grant administrators:F and press Enter.
• Type del "C:\example\example.txt" and press Enter.
• The file will be deleted.

The Basics of Deletion: How to Delete Files That Cannot Be Deleted Windows 10

Understanding the basics of deletion is essential to knowing how to delete files that cannot be deleted in Windows 10. Before attempting to delete a file, it's important to understand why it may not be able to be deleted in the first place. Many times, files cannot be deleted because they are in use by another program or are locked by the operating system.

Additionally, files may have been moved to a location that does not allow for deletion or the file may have been corrupted. In order to delete a file that cannot be deleted, users must first identify why the file cannot be deleted. Once identified, users can then take the necessary steps to delete the file. If the file is in use by another program, users can try closing the program and attempting to delete the file again.

If the file is locked by the operating system, users may need to use a third-party tool to unlock the file and then delete it. If the file has been moved to a location that does not allow deletion, users may need to move the file to a location that does allow deletion. Finally, if the file is corrupted, users may need to reinstall the file in order to delete it.

Closing Programs to Delete Files

When attempting to delete a file that is in use by another program, the first step is to try closing the program. This can be done by opening the Task Manager and finding the program that is using the file.

Once the program is identified, users can terminate the process and attempt to delete the file again. If the program cannot be terminated, users may need to restart their computer in order to delete the file.

If the file still cannot be deleted after closing the program that is using it, users may need to use a third-party tool to unlock the file and then delete it. There are a variety of third-party tools available, such as Unlocker, that can be used to unlock files that are in use by another program.

Moving Files to Allow Deletion

In some cases, a file may be located in a location that does not allow for deletion. This can happen when a file is moved to a location that does not allow for deletion, such as a system folder or a restricted area of the hard drive.

In these cases, users must first move the file to a location that does allow for deletion. Once the file has been moved to a location that allows for deletion, users can then attempt to delete the file. If the file still cannot be deleted, users may need to use a third-party tool to unlock the file and then delete it.

Reinstalling Corrupted Files

If a file is corrupted, users may need to reinstall the file in order to delete it. This can be done by locating the original file or downloading a new version from the internet.

Once the file has been reinstalled, users can then attempt to delete the file. If the file still cannot be deleted, users may need to use a third-party tool to unlock the file and then delete it.

Using Third-Party Tools to Unlock Files

If a file cannot be deleted, users may need to use a third-party tool to unlock the file and then delete it. There are a variety of tools available, such as Unlocker, that can be used to unlock files that are in use by another program or locked by the operating system.

Once the file has been unlocked, users can then attempt to delete the file. If the file still cannot be deleted, users may need to reinstall the file in order to delete it. Additionally, users may need to move the file to a location that allows for deletion if it is located in a location that does not allow for deletion.

Top 6 Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a File That Cannot Be Deleted in Windows 10?

A file that cannot be deleted in Windows 10 is a file that has been protected by the system, either manually or automatically.

These protected files are often system-related files or files that are in use by another program. As such, they cannot be deleted from the system.

2. What Causes Files to Become Unable to Be Deleted?

Files become unable to be deleted for a variety of reasons. One of the most common causes is that the file is being used by another program. If a file is open or in use by another program, Windows will not allow you to delete it as it may cause instability or data loss.

Other times, a file may be protected by the system. This could be due to the file being a system-related file or due to the user manually setting the file to be protected.

3. How Can I Delete a File That Cannot Be Deleted?

The first step in attempting to delete a file that cannot be deleted is to try and determine what is causing the file to be unable to be deleted. If the file is being used by another program, attempt to close the program and then try to delete the file again.

If the file is protected by the system, then you will need to manually remove the protection from the file before you can delete it. This can be done by navigating to the file's properties, selecting the Security tab, and then unchecking the "Read-only" box.

4. What Happens if I Cannot Delete a File?

If you are unable to delete a file, then the file will remain on the system. This can be problematic as it can cause instability or data loss.

As such, it is important to ensure that you are able to delete any files that you no longer need in order to keep your system running smoothly.

5. Is There a Way to Force Delete a File?

Yes, there is a way to force delete a file. This can be done by using the command prompt. To do this, open the Command Prompt, then type in the command "del /f filename", where "filename" is the name of the file you wish to delete. This command will attempt to delete the file, even if it is being used by another program or is protected by the system.

6. Are There Any Risks When Force Deleting a File?

Yes, there are risks when force deleting a file. As the file is being deleted without any checks, it is possible that the file could be in use by another program or could be system-related.

This could lead to data loss or system instability. As such, it is important to ensure that you know what the file is before attempting to delete it.

Force Delete a File That Cannot Be Deleted Windows 10

Deleting files that cannot be deleted on Windows 10 can be a tricky process, but with the right steps, you can easily rid your computer of these pesky files.

Whether you're using a third-party application to safely delete files or using the Command Prompt to force the files to delete, you can delete any file that Windows 10 refuses to delete. With a little patience, you can clean up your computer and make room for new files.