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How To:Delete Files That Can’t Be Deleted

Are you trying to delete a file but can’t because windows gives you an error message every time you try and delete a file? I had this problem a few weeks ago and found my solution using a useful piece of free software called Unlocker buts it not the only way.Before I found this software I use to do it in several other ways manually that worked , specially with files that were being used by a virus or spyware.

The most common errors received when Windows is using a file and doesn’t want to allow you to delete it are these:

» Cannot delete file: Access is denied
» There has been a sharing violation
» The source or destination file may be in use
» The file is in use by another program or user
» Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use

Here are the methods to delete these files:

METHOD 1: Command Prompt

1. In Windows XP click Start then Run. In Windows Vista click Start then All Programs > Accessories > Run.

2. Type “cmd” in the pop up box and click OK.

3. A new window should have appeared.In Windows XP type “C:” and hit enter, In Windows Vista type “cd\“.It should now look like C:\>.

4. Now we need to find the file you want to delete, to open a new directory just type “cd nameofdirectory” example: “cd Program Files“.Do this till you are in the folder where the file you want to delete is located, If you need help finding the folder type “dir” and hit enter, this will show you what files and folders are in the directory your currently in.

5. Once your inside the folder and know the name of the file type in “del nameofthefile.exe” and hit enter.If this command doesn’t work try “delete nameofthefile.exe” or “deltree nameofthefile.exe”, one of those should.

Thats it, your done!

METHOD 2: End Explorer.exe

This method is used when the above has failed, do all the steps from Method 1 till you get to step 5 (don’t close the command prompt window). Now instead of deleting the file immediately we are going to end explorer.exe first so hit CTRL + ALT + DEL (at the same time) on your keyboard (Windows XP users should get a popup box, Windows Vista users just select “Start Task Manager” from the splash screen). Click on the Processes tab and search for explorer.exe, select it and click the End Process button. Don’t close the Task Manager popup yet as we will need it.

Go back to the command prompt window and continue on with step 5. Go back to the task manager popup, select File from the top menu and then New Task.A new Run window should have appeared like the one with used to open the command prompt, type in “explorer.exe” and click OK.

Thas it! you can shut all the windows and popups now.

METHOD 3: Safe Mode

It is possible to delete some of these undeletable files in safe mode, to enter safe mode all you need to do is:

WINDOWS XP:

» If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power.

» Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.

» Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a “keyboard error” message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.

» Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected.

» Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.

» When you are finished deleting the files, close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.

WINDOWS VISTA:

Windows Vista is similar to Windows XP for starting in Safe Mode.

» Turn the computer on or Restart the computer.

» Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Boot Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a “keyboard error” message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.

» Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected (the top option)

» Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.

» When you are finished deleting the files, close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.

METHOD 4: Unlocker

Unlocker is the easiest mothod you can use and by far the fastest, allowing you to delete any files that are currently in use by windows.

Unlocker integrates into your right click menu in windows so all you need to do is select the file thats giving you the error and select Unlocker, Then, click “unlock all” and close the software. Now that your file is unlocked, just delete it in windows explorer as you normally would.Yes it’s that easy.

Also Read:

• How To: Start Windows In SafeMode
• How To: Add Safe Mode To Your Boot Options
• How To: Boot Windows XP Faster
• 4. Optimizing Virtual Memory
• How To: Select Default Vista Log On Account

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