How To Force Delete A File Windows 7

When you want to gratuitous up storage on your device, you frequently delete your files and folders then and now. Nevertheless, there might be scenarios when you lot can't delete the file or folder. Even if you attempt to echo this delete operation multiple times, you'll probably end up with the aforementioned error once more. In such cases, you lot volition have to force delete that file or binder.

In that location might be multiple reasons for Windows declining to delete the file or folder yous cull. In full general, the basic problem could be that the file is currently in utilize while you're trying to delete information technology. Since the file is already open and running in some other software, Windows volition lock it from modifying externally.

So closing the plan or procedure which is accessing your file will get in possible to delete the file or folder you want.

In this guide, we'll testify you the possible causes when you can't delete a file or binder and how to force delete a file or folder that won't delete.

Possible Reasons Why You Can't Delete a File or Folder

Before proceeding to force delete a file or binder, you lot need to understand why you're facing this issue in the first place. There could exist multiple reasons for this, but here are few mutual reasons why yous might be having this issue on Windows 11, 10, viii.ane, 8, or vii.

The file is open in a window or by other programs in background.
The file is in use performing a process or multiple processes in background.
Lack of proper permissions, might lead to "Access Denied" error.
Hard disk or Storage device unmounted when you were deleting the file.
File is set to Read-Only and can't be modified.
Failure of Storage Disk or Device.
Corrupted Storage Deejay or Device.
File or Folder is corrupted.
Trying to Delete System File(s) that you're non supposed to delete.
Recycle Bin is full or corrupted.
File or folder is infected with a virus or malware.
In rare cases, you may see "file location not found" error, which needs to be treated differently.

5 Ways to Force Delete a File or Binder in Windows eleven/10/viii.1/8/7

Regardless of the reason, you lot can't delete a file or folder on Windows, you can endeavour these methods below to fix the problem. However, make certain that it is the right file or folder that yous desire to delete. Strength deleting might not bring the file back without using singled-out recovery software to perform the task.

Here'due south how to force delete a file or folder on Windows that yous deem is useless and aren't able to delete.

Method one: Shut Running Programs to Force Delete Files and Folders

If your file or folder is being used by a running program, you will have to close that program before you delete the file. In other cases, if your file or the file in the folder is open up in another window or by software, so you volition need to close them too.

Follow these steps below to end the programs or services which is using the files yous wish to delete.

Click on Get-go and type in "Job Manager," and printing the Enter key on your keyboard. Alternatively, you tin also correct-click on the Taskbar, and click on the Job Manager option.
Now select the software that is using your file, and click the "End Task" button.
If that doesn't work, click on More than Details, and select the process from the listing, and click on "Finish Task."
Go back to your file location and you tin can at present delete the file or folder unremarkably.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt to Forcefulness Delete a File or Binder

If yous still tin't delete the file fifty-fifty after closing the running software, and so you lot can use Command Prompt to force delete a file or folder:

Click on Get-go and type in "cmd."
Righ click on Command Promt and select "Run as Administrator" option.
To force delete a file, type the command del file_path
To force delete a folder, type the command rmdir /s /q folder_path
Finally hitting the Enter key to executue the command.

Make sure to replace "file_path" and "folder_path" with the actual location of your file or folder.

For Files: For example, if your file's location is C:\Users\Amar\Desktop, and the file name is examination.txt; then the command to force delete a file is del C:\Users\Amar\Desktop\test.txt

Force Delete a File in Use using Command Prompt - 01

This will force delete the file from the file location you specified in the command. Double-bank check you enter the right path and file proper name to prevent deleting important files accidentally

Note

Make sure to include the file extension in the command, for example, TXT, DOCX, XLS, EXE, etc. To get the path of a file, correct-click on information technology, and select the Properties where you tin copy the verbal file path.

For Folders For instance, if your folder location is C:\Users\Amar\Desktop\Articles, the command to forcefulness delete the folder is rmdir /s /q C:\Users\Amar\Desktop\Manufactures

Force Delete a Folder in Use using Command Prompt

Note

To go the full folder/directory path, correct-click on the binder, and select the Properties where yous tin copy the folder location equally path.

Method 3: Using PowerShell to Force Delete a File or Folder

If you're using Powershell instead of Command Prompt, run the following command to force delete whatever file:

remove-Detail –path file_path - strength

Force Delete Files in Use using Windows Powershell

Make sure to replace "file_path" with the file location of your file. For example, if your file'southward location is C:\Users\Amar\Desktop, and the file proper noun is test.txt; and then the command will exist

Remove-Detail –path C:\Users\Amar\Desktop\exam - strength

Annotation

Make sure to include the file extension in the command. To get the path of a file, correct-click on it, and select the Properties. The command to run is the same for strength deleting both files and folders.

Method 4: Printing Shift + Delete to Force Delete a File or Folder

If you're facing bug due to the Recycle Bin, and so information technology's best to use the Shift + Delete primal combination to forcefulness delete the file or folder. This will bypass the Recycle Bin and delete the file permanently. This method works like a amuse when your Recycler Bin is full and you tin can not empty the Bin for any reason.

Shift + Delete to Force Delete Files or Folders

Nevertheless, this will not work confronting the Windows system files. They are protected from any modification or deletion and thus you can't delete them. It's also obvious that deleting Windows files volition probably crusade issues. So it's best that y'all don't delete those files.

Method 5: Use Safe Mode to Delete Files that Say "Access Denied"

When a file or folder asks for administrative permissions for deletion, then y'all should use the Safe Mode to force delete files and folders:

Click on the Start Menu, and open Settings.
Click Update and Security, and select Recovery.
Under Avant-garde Startup, select Restart Now
Once the PC restarts, click on Troubleshoot > Avant-garde Settings > Startup Settings > Restart.
Once the Startup Settings appear, use the F4 or F5 key to kicking into Safe Style.
Head over to the File or Folder that you desire to delete permanently.
Restart your Windows machine again to boot into normal mode.

Annotation

Switching between Safe and Normal modes is a tedious process. The kicking time may take longer than usual. Take patience.

Ofttimes Asked Questions

Why can't I delete a file in Windows ten?

It's probably because the file is currently opened or being used by another program. To delete a file, you lot need to close the program which is using that file, and then attempt to delete the file.

Why Can't I delete a specific binder(s) in Windows?

If the folder contains a file that is opened in another window or is being used by another application, and then you demand to shut the running applications in club to delete the folder.

How practise I force delete a file in Windows?

To strength delete a file, you lot have to open Command Prompt and blazon the del /f filepath command. Make sure to replace "filepath" with the actual filepath of the file that you lot want to delete.

What happens when I force delete a file or binder using CMD or Powershell

When you delete a file or folder using Command Prompt or Powershell, information technology will exist deleted permanently from your machine bypassing the Recycle Bin. You can not undo the activity.

I accidentally deleted the wrong file. Tin can I go it back?

If you accept accidentally run the del or remove-Ite command with the wrong path, you tin not bring back the deleted file easily. They will be deleted permanently and yous can not find them in Recycle Bin too. The only possible way is trying data recovery software but the probability of getting the file back is never 100%.

Likewise Read: How to Completely Uninstall Software and Remove Leftovers on Windows

Force delete files if Windows won't delete them

We hope this guide helped you lot in force deleting files and folders that tin't exist deleted on your PC and other storage devices. In most cases, you will take the trouble resolved with Method 1, and this is our outset most option as well.

Other methods mentioned in this guide will also work for you if one doesn't. Moreover, always call back that one time yous apply force delete on any files, you tin can't restore them dorsum. And then make sure you lot double-bank check the file and folder paths in commands earlier executing them.