How to delete any folder. How to delete a file that won't delete

All tips

Deleting folders and files is enough simple procedure, which does not cause any difficulties even for novice users. However, sometimes there are situations when folders are not deleted. In this article we will talk about how to delete a folder that cannot be deleted.

Method No. 1. Close the program that uses files from this folder.

If you are trying to delete a folder but it is not being deleted, then the first thing to check is the running programs. Quite possibly one of running programs is now working with files from this folder. Typically, in such cases, the message “The operation cannot be completed because these folders or files are open in another program” appears.

If you suspect that a program can use files from this folder, then such a program should be closed. Then you need to try to delete the folder again.

Separately, it is necessary to say about antiviruses. It is not uncommon for antivirus software to block files that cause them suspicion. Such files cannot be opened or deleted. If you try to delete the folder in which such a file is located, you will also not succeed. In order to delete a file blocked by the antivirus, you need to pause the antivirus protection.

Method number 2. Rename the folder.

Another simple way is to rename the folder. It is not uncommon that the system does not allow you to delete a folder, but allows you to rename it. However, after renaming you can delete it.

Method number 3. Disconnect the computer from the network.

If files from a folder are used by other users local network, then you will not be able to delete the folder in which they are located. In order to solve this problem, you can simply disconnect your computer from the network and then delete the folder.

Method #4: Use an administrator account.

Administrator rights are required to delete some folders and files. If the system reports that you do not have enough rights, then you need to log into the administrator account and try deleting the folder again.

Method number 5. Restart your computer.

If the previous methods did not work, then simply restart your computer. In most cases, after a reboot, locked files and folders are deleted without problems.

Method number 6. Delete the folder using special program.

There are programs for removing locked files and folders. Most popular programs of this kind are Unlocker, IObit Unlocker, LockHunter. Install one of these programs and try to delete the folder using it.

Method number 7. Delete the folder through Safe Mode.

You can also . Safe mode starts only the most necessary components operating system. Therefore, in Safe Mode, most likely, the folder will not be locked and you will be able to delete it.

If you don't have time to delve into the situation, simply restart your computer. In many cases, after a restart, the problematic folder can be deleted in the usual way.

If when trying uninstall Windows reports that it cannot find the element to be deleted, an archiver can help you. 7Zip, WinRAR or a similar program will do. Run it and archive the problematic folder, having first checked the “Delete files after compression” option. The program should automatically erase the directory, and you will only have to delete the created archive.

3. Delete the folder using an administrator account

The inability to delete a directory may be related to access rights. In such cases, the system requires a password for the administrator account or simply reports that you do not have the necessary rights. To bypass this restriction, you will either have to immediately enter the requested password, or log in as an administrator and only then delete the folder.

Viruses and other malware can also prevent the folder from being deleted. using an antivirus, and then try to get rid of the directory again.

5. Check that there are no locked files inside the folder

Often it is not possible to delete a folder because the files attached to it are used by certain programs. It is very easy to check whether such a conflict exists: open the directory, select internal files and try to remove them. If the system refuses to delete one or more objects, use system tools or third party programs. Then delete the folder itself.

If standard conductor refuses to delete the object, try doing it in a third-party file manager. For example, in Total Commander (Windows) or Commander One (macOS).

7. Delete the folder in Safe Mode

If other methods do not help, find the problematic directory and delete it.

Usually there are no problems with deleting on your computer. Selected, clicked Delete key, cleaned the “Trash” - done. But sometimes the deleted information clings to life on your hard drive so much that it cannot be erased. This is where it arises interest Ask, how to delete undeletable files.

It would seem that the paradox is insoluble. If the data is undeletable, then it seems like you won’t be able to get rid of it. But this is only an appearance: in fact, everything can be destroyed, the only question is how much effort will be required to complete the task. Sometimes you even have to resort to the help of special software.

How to delete undeletable files

Why is he still here?

If you are not interested in the reasons why data is not deleted, then you can immediately move on to methods of destruction. For the more curious, below are the most common reasons:

Blocking by antivirus.
Use by another application.
Use of data by another user over a local network.
File usage by the system.
Lack of administrator rights.

Depending on the reason, the methods for deleting stubborn data differ. If they are used by the system, rebooting or starting Windows in safe mode will help.

If you do not have administrator rights, you need to log in under the appropriate account. In general, let's take a closer look available methods– one or two will definitely save you.

Search for connections

Method one is to restart the computer. In any unclear situation, the first thing to do is reboot the system. If after a reboot the information still remains unavailable for deletion, then try starting the system in safe mode. I’ve already told you how it’s simpler on the “seven” - there’s a cool F8 key that launches the boot mode selection menu.

If you reboot and safe mode does not help, look for information about the file in the antivirus quarantine. It happens: antivirus utility blocks malicious data, preventing the system from accessing it. Accordingly, they cannot be deleted either, which is somewhat illogical. But if you wait for 10 minutes, you can easily erase non-deletable data. The listed actions, of course, must be performed from an administrator account, otherwise nothing will work.

If you have problems uninstalling the application, then look at the list running processes and autorun list. How to do it:

Everything can be done in one window only on Windows 10. If you have the eternal “seven”, then open the startup list through “System Configuration” (Win + R – msconfig).

The task manager on Windows 7 is launched in the same way as on other versions of the Microsoft OS - with the combination Ctrl+Shift+Esc.

Unblock and Destroy

If you have tried the above methods and are already going down to the comments to write something like “difficult” or “doesn’t help,” then give me the opportunity to correct myself. Removing non-deletable files is not limited to using Windows tools. In difficult cases, you cannot do without third party software– file manager or unlocking program.

Let's start with the file manager Total Commander. He's good because he knows how to bypass some Windows bans and shows hidden data (however, FAR Manager can do that too).

Install Total Commander and find the file or folder that does not want to leave your computer. Highlight and press F8.

If the folder is not deleted, open it through Total Commander and see what's inside. If there is some hidden file, look for it by name in the task manager on the “Processes” tab. If you find it, complete the process and try again to erase the directory through Total Commander.

Instead of Unlocker, you can use other programs: LockHunter, IObit Unlocker or Free File Unlocker. These are proven utilities that will help you deal with system messages type "Access denied" when deleting.

this often happens when certain files are not deleted. And the system writes that this file or the folder is occupied by another process. This can happen both in Windows XP and in Windows 7, 8, 10. Today we will look at troubleshooting methods similar problem, When files are not deleted.

So, imagine, you installed some program on your computer, used it, and you didn’t like it. What are your actions? Of course, delete it. After uninstallation, the program was allegedly removed, but the folder with some program files remained. When you try to delete such a file, an error appears:

Let's look at ways in which you can delete files that cannot be deleted using standard means.

1st method. Simplest
If the file is not deleted, restart your computer and try deleting again. In many cases this helps. If the problem persists, then read below.

2nd method. Task Manager
In the operating room Windows system 7 and XP, to get to the Task Manager, you need to press the combination Ctrl keys+ Alt + Del.
In Windows 8 and 10, just press the combination Windows keys+ X and select Task Manager from the menu that appears.

The Task Manager we called will open, where you need to find the process that is using the file and remove the task from it. Then try deleting the file again.

3rd method. Usage boot disk or flash drives
The next method is to start the computer with LiveCD or bootable flash drive followed by deleting the file or folder. In the first case, we need to use the standard GUI Windows to find and delete the required file, or use the command line. If you are using a bootable USB flash drive with Windows 7, 8 or 10, then during installation you can open the command line by pressing Shift keys+ F10. There is also “System Restore”, thanks to which you can return the computer to its previous state. By the way, the drive letters may be different, so use the dir c: command to display the contents of that drive. Thanks to this, you can easily understand what kind of local disk it is.

4th method. Deleting files in safe mode
It's very simple here. You need to go into safe mode, find the required file or folder and delete it. In safe mode, only operating system programs are launched, while all your installed third party utilities(messengers, drivers, antiviruses, etc.) do not start. Therefore, the probability of successful removal required file very high.

5th method. Using a special Unlocker program
This program, called Unlocker, helps delete files that are used by some process. Very useful utility, coping with her tasks with a bang. You can download it at https://yadi.sk/d/PkczjpOKjbeje

When the program downloads, install it.

Next, select Advanced and uncheck all the boxes,

The essence of the Unlocker program is to unload from RAM the processes that are used by the file. The program can find and terminate a process that is even hidden in the Task Manager. All in all great utility, which every system administrator should have.

Usually, deleting files and folders is quick and painless, except for the warnings Windows messages, which are protection against accidental pressing buttons. But in some cases, the system refuses to perform an action, citing the impossibility of executing the command. It's time to figure out the reasons for such errors.

In what cases may it be necessary to delete “undeletable” folders or files?

Windows 7 may refuse to delete files or folders for several reasons:

damage. Physical or software failure, virus operation;
usage. The file is used by a running application or the system itself;
lack of rights. The user account does not have sufficient permissions to delete.

Possible solutions

If the matter is software glitch, it may be sufficient to restart the computer.
When using a file in another application, you need to determine which program is using it and close it. In some cases, it is also necessary to contact the “Dispatcher Windows tasks", to stop background processes, for example, torrent clients.
Sometimes the system refuses to delete even outwardly empty folders. This may be due to the Explorer settings do not show hidden files. In other words, the folders only appear empty; they contain information that is hidden from the user. Therefore, you should first make sure that these directories really do not contain information. Otherwise, you can unintentionally erase important data and disrupt the stability of the system.
If files and folders are visible, but they are not deleted due to the lack of rights of the account under which the system was logged in, you can do one of the following:
- use another entry. Restarting the system as a user with administrative rights is the easiest and most painless option. In this case, the OS settings do not change, and after carrying out all the necessary manipulations, you can return to the previous account;
- get your license. You can increase the level of rights of the current account. However, this method reduces the computer’s security not only from careless user actions, but also from malware. The virus will cause much more damage to the PC if it entered as an administrator;
- turn to third-party applications. There are utilities that specialize in forcibly deleting information, including protected information.

Uninstall by granting administrator rights

A user with normal rights can create, delete, and modify most files and folders, but does not have modification access system information, which serves to protect against unintentional and careless actions. The administrator account has no restrictions, within which you can regulate the operation of the entire system.

The best solution is to use the two entries alternately. User - for everyday work, administrator - for setting up the system.

Only an administrator can grant superuser rights to a regular account. Therefore, the following methods are only suitable if such an opportunity exists.

Through system settings

Press the Win key or the on-screen Start button. IN search bar, located at the very bottom of the list that opens, enter the request “User Accounts”.
We go to the active line located at the top of the list of search results and open a window with the heading “Making changes to account user". Click on “Manage another account” in the central part.
By clicking on the tab, we will be taken to a window with a list of all accounts created by the system. We select the one to which we want to give administrative rights and change its type to “Administrator”.
Click on the “Change account type” button. Rights granted.

Via command line

Usage command line requires some experience, but allows you to perform many operations faster. In order to call desired window, let's use the search bar again.

Disabling TrustedInstaller

In fact, Windows 7 has a user with even greater rights than any administrator. To protect critical components, the system creates a TrustedInstaller account, which is assigned exclusive access rights to certain files.

If a user, even with administrative rights, tries to delete protected information, the system will refuse him and show a window with the message: “Request permission from TrustedInstaller to change this file.”

To bypass the protection, you must manually grant access to the desired file to administrators, after which you will be able to delete it.

Select the file you want to delete in Explorer and click on it right click mice.
In the context menu that opens, select “Properties”.
Then go to the “Security” tab.
Click on the “Advanced” button.
In the window " Extra options Security" go to the "Owner" tab.
Click the “Change” on-screen button.
Windows 7 will offer several options to change the owner of a file. Immediately select the “Administrators” group and click “OK”.
We read the message that appears recognizing our rights and describing necessary actions for them to take effect, then click “OK”.
We repeat previous actions. We need to clarify our powers.
Click the “Change” button and select the added “Administrators” group.
We put a mark on " Full access”, automatically receiving notes on all other items.
Click the “Apply” button, giving everyone accounts with administrative rights the ability to edit this file.

The same mechanism can be used to edit or move important files or folders. In this case, it is necessary to return all settings to their original state after completion of work, otherwise Windows case 7 may become unstable.

By editing the Startup list

Can prevent file deletion executable application. If it is launched deliberately, it is enough to shut it down, and in some cases it is also useful to restart the computer. But programs that automatically start when Windows startup 7, will again end up in RAM and prevent you from deleting necessary information. Therefore, you need to exclude them from the Startup list.

If we have correctly identified the application that is interfering with our task, the file will be deleted without problems. If another program interfered, you can repeat the process for it or use reboot Windows in safe mode.

Via Safe Mode

If a folder or file is not deleted due to work third party application or malware, you can restart your computer in safe mode and thereby bypass the ban.

Safe mode in Windows 7 involves minimal loading of system components.

The advantage of this method is that there is no need to leave Windows shell 7. The disadvantages include the fact that to reboot in normal mode you will have to repeat the same steps, only this time disable safe mode.

In order to boot the system once in safe mode, you can use another method.

Having loaded using any of the listed methods, we find “stubborn” files using “Explorer” and delete them.

Using the command line

You can bypass the deletion ban using a low-level tool that is already a little familiar to us - the command line.

After the window loads, you must enter the required command.

Commands for forcibly deleting root directories and files - table

When using the command line to delete files or directories, keep the following in mind:

The information is erased irrevocably, that is, it cannot be restored from the Recycle Bin.
It is necessary to accurately, without errors and completely enter the name of the files to be deleted, including the extension and full path.

Through file managers

Most file managers have built-in capabilities for deleting protected files and folders.

For example, when working with a popular file Total manager Commander to delete a file, just select it and click function key F8. The application will definitely clarify whether the user is confident in his actions.

Total Commander easily copes with most protected files and folders, limiting itself to just one more request to the user. But some information is beyond his capabilities, in which case it is better to use specialized applications.

Removal using third-party programs

If the need to delete protected files and folders arises regularly, it makes sense to install on your computer one of the applications that specialize in unlocking and destroying information.

Unlocker

Simple and convenient Unlocker program automatically added to context menu, which opens when you right-click on the file name.

An additional advantage of the application is the ability to see why a file is blocked and what process is using it.

It is likely that it is not at all necessary to use a “hard” removal; sometimes it is better to return to Windows 7, close the interfering program, and then erase the unlocked file. But you can do without this by simply selecting the “Delete” option.

The lock prevents not only deleting, but also simple operations such as moving a file or renaming it. Unlocker can help with this too.

Lockhunter

Another application with similar functionality is Lockhunter. This utility is even built into the Explorer context menu and can delete those files and folders that Unlocker cannot do.

The program interface is more like classic Windows, basic information is collected in one window, and the main operations are presented in the form of large buttons.

Although Lockhunter does not support the Russian language, the simplicity of the interface and free distribution make it very popular.

The program's wide capabilities can become a serious problem if used carelessly. Lockhunter can easily remove system files, thereby disrupting the performance of Windows 7.

Job Fileassassin programs built in a slightly different style:

Using multiple special utilities with similar functionality can be justified by the fact that they have various algorithms work. Files that one program could not delete can be erased by another.

System Restore

The system “rollback” mechanism using backup points is a universal means of recovery Windows performance 7 in case of serious failures.

The system restores its “old” state by erasing additionally installed programs and settings, so as a last resort, you can use this radical remedy for those files and folders that cannot be erased.

A prerequisite for this method is the availability of suitable backup recovery points. It should be taken into account that some malware intentionally corrupts such files, so it is better to transfer such data to external media.

Launch the recovery utility. To do this, type “System Restore” in the search bar and press Enter.
The window that appears is more informational than functional, so click the “Next” on-screen button.
Select the one you need from the list of recovery points and click “Next”.
Don't forget to save your working files to external media before restoring your system, otherwise they may be lost.
Once again, we make sure that this is the date to which we want to “downgrade” Windows 7, and click the “Finish” on-screen button.

Using a different operating system

All restrictions and access settings are important only when running a specific copy of Windows 7. From an external point of view, both the system itself and the files carefully protected by it are ordinary records on the hard drive. Therefore, all unnecessary information can be deleted by gaining access to the drive without starting the “main” Windows 7:

By downloading another copy of Windows 7 located on the second physical disk.
Launching another operating system eg Linux.
Using a bootable USB flash drive or “life disk”.
Physically taking it out HDD and connecting it as external media to another computer.

This method will also be useful in combating some particularly stubborn viruses that penetrate RAM and blocking antivirus programs. By booting from external media, you can disinfect your computer without letting malicious applications start work.

If you don’t have your own bootable USB flash drive, you can download it from the developer’s websites antivirus programs, for example, DrWeb or Nod 32.

The disadvantages of this method are a consequence of its effectiveness - it can be accidentally removed critically important files and folders, disrupting Windows.

other methods

If the information that refuses to be deleted is located on an external storage device (SD card, flash drive or external hard drive), then you can solve the problem using a device with a mobile operating system, for example, Android. Some nuances:

The SD card can be inserted into the appropriate slot on your smartphone or tablet.
To connect a flash drive you need support for OTG technology and a suitable adapter.
To work with external hard drives devices on Android based usually needs to be downloaded additional applications, and also ensure a sufficient level of current to power the drive.

Before looking for ways to delete system-protected information, you should make sure that such a step will not harm the performance of Windows 7. It may be worth creating an additional restore point to minimize the negative consequences.

In addition, you should first use the most safe ways and only if they are ineffective, move on to more “rough” ones:

User Tools. Find and disable programs and processes that use necessary files. Restart your PC.
Windows Tools. Edit the Startup list, use safe startup mode if necessary.
Access settings. Gain administrative rights or access to account files.
Command line. Use system commands for low level removal.
Third party applications. Use file managers or specialized programs.
System Restore. Use backup point recovery for "rolling back" Windows 7.
External OS. Boot the operating system from external media or another computer.

How to delete protected folders and files without additional programs - video

System-based means of protecting critical information are often used malware for your own purposes, so you need to be able to bypass restrictions and delete damaged files. Fortunately, enough has been created for these purposes effective applications, including free ones.