It’s most likely because another program is currently trying to use the file. This can occur even if you don’t see any programs running. When a file is open by another app or process, Windows 11/10 puts the file into a locked state, and you can’t delete, modify, or move it to another location. … Close all the programs.
Why can’t I delete files on Windows 10?
If you can’t delete a file or folder in Windows 10, you can boot your Windows 10 computer to Safe Mode to try to delete it. … You can start Windows 10 in Safe Mode. Try to delete the file or folder. Restart your computer to go back to normal mode.
Why wont my computer let me delete files?
Often, the problem of a file that can’t be deleted can be caused by an app that is currently using the file. You might not know that the software in question is doing this, but the simplest way to fix things is to close down all the open applications on your PC.
How do I delete a file that is hard to delete?
To do this, start by opening the Start menu (Windows key), typing run , and hitting Enter. In the dialogue that appears, type cmd and hit Enter again. With the command prompt open, enter del /f filename , where filename is the name of the file or files (you can specify multiple files using commas) you want to delete.
How do I delete files on Windows 10?
Sooner or later, you’ll want to delete a file or folder in Windows 10 — yesterday’s lottery picks, for example, or a particularly embarrassing digital photo. To delete a file or folder, right-click its name or icon. Then choose Delete from the pop-up menu.
Can’t delete folder even though I am administrator Windows 10?
The error You’ll need to provide administrator permission to delete this folder appears mostly due to the security and privacy features of the Windows 10 operating system.
…
- Take ownership of the folder. …
- Use third party software. …
- Disable User Account Control. …
- Activate the built-in Administrator account. …
- Use SFC. …
- Use Safe Mode.
How do I force a corrupted file to delete?
Using Search, type CMD. From the search results, right-click on Command Prompt and then choose Run as administrator. On the Command Prompt window, type chkdsk /f h: (h stands for your hard drive) and then hit the Enter key. Delete the corrupted file and check if you’ll experience the same error.
Can’t delete or move files?
Can’t delete a file is open in the system?
- Close the Program. Let’s start with the obvious.
- Reboot your computer.
- End the Application via the Task Manager.
- Change File Explorer Process Settings.
- Disable the File Explorer Preview Pane.
- Force Delete the File in Use via the Command Prompt.
Why can’t I delete a folder on my desktop?
Right-click on the folder that you want to delete, then click Properties. Copy the Location of the folder. For example (C:Usersyour nameDesktop) Go back to Command Prompt, then type in this command RMDIR /S /Q (Location of the folder), then hit Enter.
How do I remove icons from my desktop that won’t delete?
Right-click a blank area of the Windows desktop. Select Personalize in the pop-up menu. In the Personalize appearance and sounds window, click the Change desktop icons link on the left side. Uncheck the box next to the icon(s) you want to remove, click Apply, and then OK.
How do I force delete a folder?
To remove a directory and all its contents, including any subdirectories and files, use the rm command with the recursive option, -r . Directories that are removed with the rmdir command cannot be recovered, nor can directories and their contents removed with the rm -r command.
How do you delete a file which is no longer located?
Locate the problematic file or folder on your computer by navigating to it in File Explorer. Right-click on it and choose the Add to archive option from the context menu. When the archiving options window opens, locate the Delete files after archiving option and make sure you select it.
How do I delete a file that Cannot be found?
Fix “Could Not Find This Item” When Deleting in Windows
- Use Command Prompt To Fix “Could Not Find This Item”
- Rename The File Using Command Prompt Before Deleting It.
- Delete Files That Have No Extension.
- Delete The Folder Containing The File.
- Kill The Process That May Be Using The File.
- Create An Archive & Delete The Files.