How to delete not deleted files. How to remove unshaken folders and files in Windows? Complete the process in manual mode

Quite often, the situation occurs when Windows does not allow to remove perfectly unnecessary, or even at all, empty, file. Most often, the system issues a message that the file is used by a kind of mysterious application. What exactly? About this, the operating system silent, they say, with their own problems deal. And what to do in such a situation? Reply read below.

Why is this happening?

The reasons for which the file fails cannot be deleted, you can select several at once. Let's wonder each of them separately.

There is no access to the file, permission is required.

Not the most frequent reason. The most relevant for the PCs used with the "guest" account. Guests cannot install and delete programs, change system parameters or password. In addition, when using such a "account", the user does not have the right to record files (editing, deleting, and so on) outside its home folder installed by the administrator. Most often, such an access scheme is used on working or training PCs.

Account "Guest"

To remove a file protected from writing - contact your administrator or use its account.

Administrator account

However, if you own an account with a note "Administrator", and Windows still insists that you do not have access to you to check the rights to read / write the desired file. To do this, click on the right mouse button on it and select the "Properties drop-down list". The Safety Tab will show a list of all users of your PC and access rights for each of them. If somewhere it is a check mark "To prohibit", we remove it using the "Change" key.

File access rights

File sharing error

Object is used by another user

The problem is also more relevant for workers or training machines located in the local network. This error means that the file is currently busy by another user. To remove such a file you need to either wait until it is "free to" or simply disconnect from the local network.

The disk has recording protection

The disc on which the file is deleted is protected from recording, you can not write anything, edit and delete. Most often, this problem concerns flash drives and memory cards. With SD cards, everything is simple - you should remove the protection from recording using a special slider on them. This slider overlaps one of the contacts responsible for recording operations.

Record protection slider on SD card

And if this problem arose when working with a conventional flash drive or a hard disk - everything is much worse. The carrier file system may be damaged. Will help check the appropriate application. For example, built into the Windows utility "CHKDSK". There are detailed information on how to do it.

File or folder can be used by any process

The file is open in "AIMP"

The most common error when deleting files. The file is open in some program and cannot be deleted or edited. To remove it, you need to either close some kind of mysterious program, or that is much easier to use the special application.

Programs to remove protected files

Since problems with deleting files occur quite often, there are many programs that help with their solution. Below is a small educational program of such applications.

Unlocker

The most popular program to delete files in the world. More popular, perhaps, except for Windows Explorer. Uses a special algorithm to search for applications using a deleted file. If the application was found, Unlocker either closes it or "frees" from it from it.

The program has no individual settings and is available to use even inexperienced PC users. After installation, it is integrated into the context menu "Explorer", allowing you to delete the protected files of the mouse clicks. In addition to deletion, renaming protected files and their movement are available.

To delete a file using Unlocker, right-click on it and select "Unlocker" in the context menu. A program window displays displaying all applications that use the desired file. The "Unlock" key will not close the process, but only free from it. The button "Delete Process" will complete it forcibly. In the left side of the same window, you can choose the action with the file itself after the operation is completed, for example, delete it or rename it.

UNLOCKER program window

If for some reason the file is not deleted and using Unlocker, the program will offer to try to delete it when the system is then restarted. In this case, the file will be deleted before downloading the main applications.

Lockhunter.

A more serious tool for deleting files. It is advantageous to the built-in protection against accidental use. Unlike analogs, files removes not without a trace, but in the basket, which allows you to restore them if necessary. In addition, Lockhunter can seek and neutralize malware and applications, "braking" system as a whole.

Iobit Unlocker

One of the most efficient and convenient utilities to delete files and folders. Its key feature is the ability to form a special list of files and folders for monitoring. Iobit Unlocker will be frequent to follow them and inform you about changing their status. Very convenient, in some situations. Also supports integration into the conductor and Russian localization.

What program to use?

Despite the abundance of this kind of utilities, most users recommend that the Unlocker program. Perhaps she is actually the best. An intuitive interface that does not require any additional skills, no extra functions, integration into the conductor and the ability to delete when loading makes Unlocker almost indispensable. In addition, you can note the "clean" installer, without the elements of Yandex, Mail.Ru, SafeProtect and other nonsense, which they like to shove into the load with small programs. In short, Unlocker can safely recommend to everyone who does the unsubstantiated files do.

And, finally, something else. All of the listed applications have only one substantial minus - they will not warn you about removing important system files. Therefore, it is better to think twice before you get rid of the file that the system itself does not give.

Learn all possible ways to delete a failed file or folder in Windows.

Each more or less advanced PC user, probably, more than once, when you delete data, faced an error when you cannot delete a particular file:

This happens, most often, due to the fact that the file is currently used by any program. However, not always an error message indicates that it is for the process that blocks the removal.

If you want to figure out the principles of deleting data on a PC and make rid of the unsuccessful files and folders forever, we suggest you read the material below.

Principle of deleting files

From the school course of informatics to everyone, I think, it is known that the data in the computer is stored on a rigid disk in the form of bit sequences (units and zeros). The solid sequence of zeros is recognized as an unoccupied area available for recording.

However, in fact, an affordable disk space is determined not only by empty space. It is still added to data marked with a special mark, which allows them to overwriting. Such data in the system is no longer displayed for a simple user, it seems like, do not exist. But if desired, they can be fully or partially restored using special programs.

So, in fact, deleting any file in Windows is not a real removal, but simply assigning it tags about the possibility of writing the data on top of it. This label can be installed on any file or folder that are not active at the moment. But if they are used at least one of the running processes or have a label active, then problems with their removal or renaming begin.

Causes and first steps to solve the problem

First of all, if we encounter a file deletion error, you should carefully read the text in the notification window. Sometimes there may be valuable information that allows you to quickly understand why the file is not deleted. Typical texts of errors are not so much:

Unable to delete "File". It is indicated incorrect or too long file name. This error occurs most often when working with files that are too long (more than 256 characters) or non-standard (using special-wovers) names. To remove such a file to rename it enough.
Unable to delete "File". This file is used by the following program: "Program Name". This error appears if you recently opened the file, but forgot to close the program in which you worked with it. The system suggests. What the program needs to be closed for successful removal.
Unable to delete "File". No access. The disc can be crowded or protected from recording, or the file is busy with another application. Perhaps the most easier informative error that can imply a whole palate of the causes of the file: from the lack of user rights, to a really scored "under the string of a hard disk.

The last error may also have a slightly different text: "The object is used by another user or program. Close all programs that can use this file and try again." In this case, it will be a little simpler, because we probably know that the problem is in blocking the file by some program, and not in the crowded disk or the absence of rights.

The total algorithm of action when the last type removal errors occur:

Check if the disk is not filledwhere the file is. The fact is that the label to remove also has its size, let me be meager, but it may not be enough to delete the file.
Make sure you have administrator rights And you can delete files in the current folder.
Check, does the file open anyone on the local network. Usually, if the file (especially text) is edited by someone, then there will be a hidden temporary file next to it. To see it easier in the file manager with an active option to display hidden and system files.
Make sure did you open a file in any programwhich forgot to close.

If none of the above methods are the cause of the blocking in your case, it means that it is most likely to delete it is impossible due to the use of the file by any background process. Go ahead.

Full-time ways to delete files

Renamation

In some cases (especially if the problem is associated with incorrect names), you can delete the file by simply renaming it. Highlight the desired file and click on it with the right mouse button, then select the appropriate item in the context menu, or press the F2 key on the keyboard.

Sometimes it can help not just renaming, but changing the file expansion. For example, if you want to delete a file named "name.doc" try changing the name to "name.txt". If you do not displays file extensions, but only their names, you need to remove the "hide extensions for registered file types" in the "folder properties" on the View tab (in the "View" menu conductor - "Folder Properties" (Windows XP- 7) or "Parameters" (Windows 8-10)):

Often the problem of unsaluable files is that they are blocked by the Windows visual shell, which we know under the name of the conductor. In this case, we will need to open the task manager (CTRL + SHIFT + ESC) and restart the same process or the "Explorer.exe" process:

In Windows up to 7 versions of direct restarting was not. For example, in XP you must first remove the aforementioned task, after which it manually run it through the same dispatcher by clicking the "New Task" button by entering "explorer.exe" without quotes and pressing ENTER.

If you are not confused by the work in the console, then with a lot of probability you can delete a failed file using the Windows command line. Call it easier by pressing the Win + R keys by pressing the "Run" command "Cmd.exe" or simply "CMD" without quotes and pressing ENTER:

Now everything you need to do is enter the type command: "Del / F / S / Q" Full_PU_FE_FL_L_S_I_I_SE_SEM "" (the path is easier not to manually enter, but get the file dragging to the command line window). The DEL or ERASE command serves to delete files (the folder is deleted by the RD or RMDIR commands), and the keys / f / s and / q make it possible to delete read data only from all subdirectories and without an additional request for confirmation of the command.

Deleting a file in safe mode

If nothing from the above helped you, then you can try to delete a failed file by running the system in safe mode. To do this, while the computer is loaded, hold the F8 key (for laptops it may be necessary to hold the combination of Fn + F8). This menu should appear:

Select here by the arrows the "Safe Mode" or "Safe Mode with Network Driver Support" and after downloading the system, delete the file. For the purity of the experiment, you can also boot from LiveCD and try to delete the data at all without the help of Windows.

File removal programs

In addition to regular ways to remove poor files, you can also use one of the specialized system utilities. The principle of their action is almost the same: when the deletion error occurs, a window appears with an indication of the process that blocks the file, as well as the unlock button. If unlocking is currently impossible, you will be prompted to delete the file when the system starts next.

So, I propose several programs to delete files.

At one time was the best unlocking file for Windows XP and Windows 7. At the moment since 2013, alas, not updated (although the official site is still available), however, does its work properly.

Similar unlocker on functionality tool from the famous developer firm. Supported until now and allows you to unlock even files that are in general access on the local network. Like Unlocker, can be embedded in the context menu and run from it at the request of the user.

The shortcomings of the program is that it comes in the form of an online installer, which can download an additional trial-software, and also has a little "curve" Russification. Yes, and downloading from the official page description does not always work, so it's better to download from a special download page. There is no other complaints.

File unlocking tool from another employee corporation specializing in anti-virus software. Unfortunately, the program does not have an official Russian-speaking interface and has not been updated for a long time. However, unlock files it does not interfere even on Windows 10.

Pretty young and promising unlock from an independent developer. On the official website, the multilancefulness of the program is declared, but in fact only the English interface works. Deadlock is not embedded in the system menu, but allows you to choose the locked files manually.

In general, the program creates the impression "damp". For example, the settings in it give out an error, the administrator rights are required to start, and the removal error tracking module would not hurt. But, despite this, unlock and delete with DeadLock you can almost any files.

Another alternative English-language development on the topic unlocking unsalled files. Lockhunter works both on 32 and on 64-bit systems, embedded in the context menu, and also allows you to run your processes in the console mode. In a word, if not English-speaking, it would be a completely decent competitor to abandoned unlocker ...

conclusions

The problem of unsalted files and folders in Windows is quite common. Therefore, each user should know what to do if it is impossible to delete certain data.

It should be, however, to pre-warning you from rampant deeds, such as deleting system files, without which Windows cannot work. Delete them using the methods described above, you can, but download the system later. unlikely:)

Be vigilant and act intelligently - it's the way to success in any case!

P.S. It is allowed to freely copy and quote this article if you specify an open active reference to the source and maintaining the authorship of Ruslana TRADER.

Many more than once came across the situation when you need to delete any file or folder, and it is not deleted. Instead, a message appears about the lack of rights or that the file or folder is occupied by another program. At the same time, find a program that uses the file to be deleted does not work and the reboot of the computer does not help.

Error deleting a file

File or folder is not deleted

In this article, you will learn about a simple, but very efficient and free program, which in just a few clicks will delete the non-deleted file or folder from the computer.

Unlocker - the best free program to delete files and folders that are not deleted.

So, to start deleting a non-deleted file or folder from a computer, you need to download the Unlocker program. It is very small and takes only 1MB.

Also, the undoubted advantages of this program is that it is free and works at all starting from Windows XP and ending with Windows 10.

After the file with the program is downloaded, unpack it by any archiver and run the file "Unlocker 1.9.2 Portable by PortableAppz".

Unpacking the Unlocker installation file

The portable version of the program that does not require installation will start the unpacking window. In it, you just need to specify the path for which the program will be after unpacking. For example, you can specify the "Program Files" folder in which all other programs are located.

Selecting the path for unpacking

After you indicated the place of unpacking, click the "Install" button, and then the "Finish" button.

How to use the Unlocker program?

The next step is to start the Unlocker program, the window of which is represented by an overview of files and folders. In this window, select a file or folder that are not removed by the standard path, and you still want to remove them and click "OK".

Unlocker Program window - Select a file or folder to remove

In the life of each user of a personal computer sooner or later, the question arises: how to remove the unsuccessful folder or file? There are cases when it is very necessary to delete any element, and Windows does not allow this, reporting on the occurrence of problems. It can be an unknown folder, unnecessary, outdated or occupying a lot of memory object - it is only important that the operating system for one or another reasons prohibits remove this element. In this case, the methods and methods of getting ridden from such folders and files, and not the reason for the prohibition.

Causes of problems when deleting files

One of the main causes of the problem is the participation of the file in other processes.

A file that fails to be deleted can participate in other processes.

But there are exceptions when the item is not deleted even after closing the appropriate program. As an example, you can bring files that are locked due to improper operation. Such files are stored on the hard disk and fill the memory.

Deleting a file is not possible due to failures during its installation or recording, as a result of which the element is partially preserved. In this case, the operating system restricts security access.

Thus, the main reasons for this problem include the following:

the file was blocked by antivirus. For example, when placing an element in quarantine or during delayed treatment;
the file is used by another program;
the user has no administrator rights, so the removal of the element is impossible;
the element can be used by another person through the local network;
use of the file system;
protection of the device from recording, such as memory cards;
an empty folder may contain hidden files or the user is restricted;
some viruses can be masked under the DLL file.

Ways to delete poor files

There are many ways and methods that help solve the problem of files and folders that cannot be deleted.

Reboot

The essence of the method is to restart the personal computer and try an attempt to remove an unnecessary element.

A step-by-step process of rebooting PC consists of several clicks

Task Manager

Consider the option to delete files by deleting a folder with the contents of the program (on the example of Skype).

The method can be used for all similar situations.

Safe mode

If any object on the PC is infected with the virus, then in the safe mode it will not function. To activate the mode when the PC is loaded, it is necessary to press (not clamp) on the F8 keyboard. After that, the menu will be displayed in which you will need to select "Safe Mode". Now you need to find a failed element and remove it. Reboot the computer.

There is another way to enter safe mode:

Unlocker

Unlocker is a simple, secure and free utility to unlock files used in Windows. The program reflects the processes blocking the element, and has the ability to delete, move or rename the file that is blocked. Installation does not take much time and does not differ from the installation process of other software.

Unlock the file using Unlocker

Consider step-by-step instructions for using the program on the Skype removal example.

When the message "Folder is not empty" appears, you can create a new folder on the same disk, move the wrong elements to a new place and delete the appropriate folder using Unlocker.

Deadlock is a similar program that can unlock and remove an unwanted element with PC.

Delete a file using Deadlock Program

If the file fails when the file is eliminated, the corresponding element is added via the "File" menu. Using the right mouse button, the object is possible to unlock, move or delete.

Deleting unsalted folders and files can be held by Deadlock

File managers

Total Commander is one of the most famous and applied file managers, which is able to bypass certain Windows prohibitions. To delete files:

Run a file manager.
Find in the list of directory the appropriate file.
Remove it.

In the case of a failured folder, you need to go to it through the program and see the problem. When a hidden item is detected, you need to start the task manager (CTRL + ESC + SHIFT), go to "processes", find the search file and complete it.

Video: How to use Total Commander

Formatting

In certain situations, the deletion of files is impossible, since the PC is infected with viruses that can penetrate the Internet or external drives. To remove an allegedly infected element on a flash drive, you need to check the anti-virus program. In case of failure, it is recommended to format a memory card.

Format the memory card to remove the infected element

Bus load

To use the method you need:

If it is not in the list, you need to disable everything and click "Apply." Perform a reboot of the PC and repeat the attempt to eliminate the unsubstantiated file.

Access level

The method is suitable for a network directory, that is, for PCs connected via a local network. The administrator creates some joint folders for storing information. To prevent unauthorized deletion, access rights are limited.

To get full rights you need to do the following way:

When two points associated with the removal, the local user does not eliminate the folder nor the objects that are contained in it.

Selecting subparagraph "Deleting subfolders and files" does not delete a folder nor objects in it.

System Restore

To restore the system:

In the "Start" menu, we bring the cursor to "all programs".
Click on "Standard" - "Service" - "Restoration of the System".
In the "Restore system files and parameter" window that opens, click "Next".
In the list of recovery points, choose a point with the date when the file that we want to delete has not yet been on your computer. Click "Next" and "yes."

Video: how to make system rollback in Windows 7

Using another OS

To apply the method:

Try to boot from the removable disk with another operating system.
Delete the file / folder.

Move

In some cases, it saves a fairly primitive method - drag the folder to the pure memory card and clean it.

Transfer the file to the memory card

Removing the unwanted element using the command line

Command line can be opened in the following ways:

the combination of the Win + R keys opens the window into which you enter "CMD";
"Start" -\u003e "All Programs" -\u003e "Standard" -\u003e "Command Line".

The first way is as follows:

A combination of CHKDSK C: / F / R is recruited in the string and enter. In combination with: - This is a hard disk that needs check. If you want to check other disk, then change the letter (disk name).
The message is displayed about checking the disk when rebooting - you need to enter Y and press ENTER. If another disk is checked, the process starts immediately.
Now the unnecessary element can be deleted.
If the C disc is checked, then you need to restart the PC and delete the object.

The second way is to apply short names if the element contains invalid characters:

You need to go to the place of storage of the object and find out a short name. To do this, use the "dir / x" or "dir / x / n" command, which will reflect the short names of the elements in the folder.
After that, you can apply the "Del" or "RDMIR" command to eliminate the undesirable object.

Video: How to remove unwanted elements using the command line

The above methods are suitable for any version of Windows 7.

In each personal computer, objects that are not removed in the usual way appear sooner or later. However, there are ways to get rid of unwanted files, having studied which the user will have every chance to independently eliminate the unsucked elements with PCs.

Sometimes you can face the following situation: you want to delete the file, but Windows issues various messages about the impossibility of removing this item. There may be several reasons for this, but the problem of the OS problem is not always solved. But special software solutions created for forced removing unsubstantiated files and / or those that were blocked by the system are completely able to cope with this task.

In the following, we will briefly consider six effective and well-proven applications that will help you delete the file locked incorrectly closed by the application, as a result of the actions of the virus and for a number of other reasons.

Irobith Anbler is a free program to remove all that it turns out to be removed by standard means. It allows not only to delete blocked files, but also apply a number of other actions to them: Copy, rename, move. Iobit Unlocker displays the location of the software that does not allow one or another item, so you can find out the cause of the problem with the removal. It is bad that the application does not always correctly determine the status of the file. Sometimes locked items are displayed as ordinary. The advantages of the application are a pleasant appearance and the availability of Russian.

Lockhunter.

Lok Hunter is another program to remove blocked files. You can delete, change the name and copy the problem element. The application correctly displays all blocked files, and also shows the cause of the lock. The disadvantage is the lack of Russian translation of the application interface.

Fileassassin.

The application with a formidable name that is translated as a "killer of files" will allow you to easily remove unshaken items from your computer. You can also disable the process that caused refusal to be deleted. The minus the Assassin file is the lack of Russian rusification of the application.

FREE FILE UNLOCKER.

Free File Unlocker is a free program to remove blocked elements. Like other similar solutions, it allows you to make several additional actions with the file, in addition to the deletion itself. Also, the application shows the path to a program that does not allow you to remove the item. FREE FILE UNLOCKER has a portable version that does not require installation. A minus, again, is the lack of Russification.

Unlocker

The unlocher fully justifies his simple name. The entire interface is 3 buttons. Select the action you want to execute with the file, and click the "OK" button - this is all you need to do to deal with the unsolved element in Unlocker. Because of its simplicity, the program suffers from the lack of functions, but it is very simple and suitable for novice users of PC. In addition, the interface contains Russian.

Unlock IT.

Unlock IT is one of the best software solutions for forced deleting files and folders. This is explained by the fact that this product displays detailed information about the cause of the lock: which application is blocking where it is located, what is the load of this application to the system and which libraries it uses. It helps a lot when dealing with the virus-blocker files. The program allows you to make a variety of actions over blocked elements, and also works with folders. The disadvantages include the absence of a Russified version and a slightly overloaded interface.

With the help of the programs presented in this article, you can easily remove unshakable files and folders from your computer. You no longer have to dig in the system yourself and perform various settings - just add a blocked item to the app and delete it.