A program for quickly deleting folders. Free file deletion program

Sometimes you have to face a situation when you can't delete a file .

The file is in use by another program and cannot be deleted.
In another situation it works system protection file system, then it is reported that access to this file is denied.

Before you ask the question - how to delete a file that cannot be deleted, you should think about whether the correct actions are taken for the file deletion operation?

Incorrect deletion of Windows 10 files

How to delete files that cannot be deleted in Windows 10

Before deleting system files, you need to make sure safe deleting such files. Removing files needed for Windows operation will lead to a complete collapse of the system.

To remove system files, must have administrator rights. Such rights allow you to exercise control over the file system at the administrator level and be responsible for removal of majority Windows files 10 .

How to check administrator rights on Windows 10

START menu and Change account settings. records

Under your name account there should be an inscription Administrator

If the first option for deleting files did not help, then the following options are suitable for removing remnants (garbage) incorrectly remote programs or applications. Using these methods you can delete a non-deletable file without rebooting the system.

All ways to delete files from your computer

Rename the file to be deleted, replacing its name with an arbitrary one. After rebooting the system, it will be possible to delete the file, since Windows 10 will no longer protect it from deletion, since we renamed it.
Clear all additional attributes. Open the properties of the selected object through the context menu, uncheck its additional attributes, in particular removing the “read-only” and “system” properties, repeat the deletion procedure;
Open the file in a suitable program. If the object is typical (for example, text file with the appropriate extension), try opening it in the appropriate program, then change the contents and resave, deleting it again;
Check the dates. If the file properties indicate clearly incorrect creation and modification dates (differing by decades or more), try changing them to realistic ones using the " tab Additional properties»

Additional options

safe mode

Using a resuscitator or LiveCD/Flash. Boot from any available LiveCD/DVD or flash drive, regardless of the system installed on it (Windows, Linux, etc.) - the main thing is that your OS on the hard drive does not participate in the process. Try to delete the file;
Connection hard drive as a drive to another PC. If you don't have a LiveCD/Flash, you can simply connect your hard drive to another PC via an external “pocket” or a direct connection to a SATA (or other interface that your hard drive uses) cable, and then repeat the original operation with the file.

Often, users have to deal with such an unpleasant phenomenon as “undeletable” folders and files. The reasons for their appearance can be very diverse, from software error to the targeted action of the virus, but their essence boils down to one thing - retention by some visible or hidden process.

In some cases, a simple system reboot is quite sufficient to eliminate similar problem, but it also happens that a file or folder is stubbornly not wanted under any circumstances.

Attempting to delete an object regular means ends in failure. In this case, the user may receive various messages, for example, that the file is being used by another application. But, for example, such messages can cause attempts to delete folders with DOS-reserved names.

Of course, if you are an expert and have a good understanding of how the Windows operating system works, you may be able to quickly find the right decision, but what should simple and completely unprepared users do for such surprises?

The solution, as always, is simple - use special utilities to remove blocked objects.

Unlocker

Unlocker is perhaps the most famous Russian-language utility for deleting “undeletable” folders and files. Lightweight, free and extremely easy to use, Unlocker can easily handle even the most complex objects. The utility allows you to delete, move and rename blocked system processes folders and files. The program will be useful in cases where an object is used by another application, with access rights restrictions, violations sharing and other common mistakes.

In particular difficult situations When a file cannot be deleted immediately, Unlocker will prompt you to delete it the next time you reboot the system. The utility's functions are controlled from the Explorer context menu. When installing the program, third-party modules may be integrated into the system, for example QuickStores bar, so be careful and uncheck the appropriate boxes in the installation wizard window. Download Unlocker: www.emptyloop.com

Any File Remover

Any File Remover – free utility to remove blocked objects. Unlike Unlocker, Any File Remover does not move or rename files, it simply deletes them. The utility works quickly, cleanly and without rebooting the system. Supports creating a list of objects to be deleted, manual setting rewrite method. Disadvantages include the lack of integration into the Explorer context menu, the inability to select an entire folder for deletion, and the absence of the Russian language, although during installation the user is prompted to select the Russian language.

MoveOnBoot

Free program to delete, rename locked folders and . MoveOnBoot has colorful graphical interface with support for changing themes and a rich set of additional functions. Can be used to remove faulty applications and even viruses that the antivirus program could not remove.

The application has a built-in Removal Wizard and supports working with system registry. Deleting, renaming and moving locked folders and files in MoveOnBoot is only possible after a subsequent system reboot, which is actually the main drawback of this program. The low popularity of MoveOnBoot was also contributed to by its heavy weight, lack of Russian language and integration into the Explorer context menu.

File Governor

File Governor is a simple, convenient and free program for deleting “intractable” folders and files, a good analogue of Unlocker. “Indications for use” are the use of the object being deleted by a user or another application, access violations, as well as some other deletion errors.

File Governor also supports integration into Explorer, copying a file to a specified directory, searching for blocked files in selected directories, force termination processes, logging, unlocking selected files.

The utility has a simple interface, is lightweight, and works with most versions of . There is no Russian language.

FileASSASSIN

A very light, simple and free program from the famous company Malwarebytes. The capabilities are comparable to Unlocker utility. Several methods can be used to open access to a file.

Built into the Explorer context menu, FileASSASSIN creates two separate items: Delete file using FileASSASSIN (forcefully delete a file) and Unlock file using FileASSASSIN (unlock, but do not delete). You can also schedule files to be deleted at a later date. reboot Windows. The main disadvantage of the utility is the lack of Russian language.

Conclusion

The utilities presented in this review are far from the only ones of their kind. There are many other, both simple and completely exotic tools and methods for solving the problem of “undeletable” folders and files.

Let's give just one example.

Get full access To file system, which means regular ones with a built-in file manager will help you delete anything.

By booting from such a disk, you can delete, move or rename any file or folder without any problems.

On Windows of any version (XP, 7, 8, 10), a problem often arises when a file or folder with a locked file is not deleted. A message pops up that the file is occupied by another process or is open in some program, or you need to ask permission from someone.

There are several ways to delete a file that is not deleted, renamed, or moved. This is done without additional software, using the free Unlocker program, from a bootable flash drive or LiveCD, or the DeadLock program.

When deleting locked files and folders, be careful; it may be part of the operating system. Without them, Windows will stop loading.

Why isn't it deleted?

The file is open in another program. Complete everything unnecessary processes and try again. Sometimes restarting the computer helps.
Insufficient permissions to delete. For example, this file was created by another user or the computer administrator removed the deletion rights.

Exceptions

The methods described in the article will not always help:

pagefile.sys and swapfile.sys - to remove, disable the swap file.
hiberfil.sys - deleted when hibernation mode is disabled.
If an access denied message appears. You need to become the owner of the file or folder. The easiest way to do this is with the TakeOwnershipPro program.
If a message appears asking for permission from TrustedInstaller. This is protection against the removal of system components.
Windows.old - folder with old version operating system. It is deleted through the “Properties” of the local drive C. On the General tab there is a “Cleanup” button. A window will open in which select “Clear system files" After the analysis is completed, the item “ Previous installations Windows". Check this box and click OK.

Deleting the file manually

Message: The file is already in use, please close and try again.

If a file doesn't want to be deleted, the error message usually tells you which process has locked it. This could be explorer.exe or any program that has it open. If you close this program, the file will be deleted.

If the file is occupied by the explorer.exe process

Before completing the task, open Command Prompt as an administrator. It is located in “Start - All Programs - Accessories”. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
Remove the explorer.exe task in the task manager and add it to the command line line del full_path/name.extension.
The path does not have to be entered manually. Click right click mouse on the required file with Shift held down - Copy as a path and paste it into the command line via the right-click context menu.
Now restart explorer.exe. In the task manager, click "File - New task - explorer.exe".

Use a bootable USB flash drive or disk

If you have a bootable USB flash drive or LiveCD, or disk Windows recovery, run them and quietly delete the file standard method or via the command line.

Be careful sometimes when entering through boot disk local disks have different letters. To see the list of folders on drive C, write in command line dir c: .

If you use bootable USB flash drive or disk Windows installations, the console opens at any time after the language selection stage by pressing Shift keys+F10.

You can also select the system recovery mode, which will be offered before starting the OS installation.

Command for deleting via the console: del full_path_to_the_file.

Using DeadLock

The free DeadLock program allows you to delete a locked file and change the owner. Download from the official website: https://codedead.com/?page_id=822.

Through the File menu you add problematic file to the program. Right-click on it in the list - unlock it (Unlock) and delete it (Remove).

Using Unlocker

The simplest and popular program, but now even the official website displays a warning about unwanted software. Along with the program there may be some other virus or advertising, so use at your own peril and risk. Try the methods above first. Website: http://www.emptyloop.com/unlocker/.

After installation in context menu a new item will appear, which is called Unlocker. After clicking the button, the program will complete the interfering process and the file will be unlocked.

If you want to delete a folder, first delete all its contents.

Via command line

There was such a case that the file did not want to be deleted in any way. The size was 0 bytes, the name was written in Russian letters (not supported in older MS-DOS versions), there was a Read-only attribute and an A attribute (reading only and adding content). The command line helped.

That's all for now. If you know simpler and effective ways, write them in the comments. Which method helped you?

Sometimes you may encounter the following situation: you want to delete a file, but Windows displays various messages about the impossibility of deleting this item. There may be several reasons for this, but only restarting the computer and then deleting it helps.

For quick solution In such situations, it is worth having a program on your computer to delete undeletable files. Such software solutions are created for forced deletion those elements that were blocked by the system.

The article presents 6 similar free applications. They will help you delete a file that was locked incorrectly closed application or due to the actions of a virus.

IObit Unlocker is a free program for removing everything that can be removed standard means. It allows you not only to delete locked files, but also to apply a number of other actions to them: copy, rename, move.

IObit Unlocker displays the location of the software that prevents you from deleting a particular item, so you can find out the cause of the deletion problem.

The bad news is that the application cannot always correctly determine the status of the file. Sometimes blocked items appear as normal items.

The advantages of the application are pleasant appearance and the presence of the Russian language.

LockHunter

Lock Hunter is another program for removing locked files. You will be able to delete, change the name and copy the problematic element.

The application correctly shows all blocked files and also shows the reason for the blocking.

The disadvantage is the lack of Russian translation of the application interface.

FileASSASSIN

An application with a menacing name, which translates as “file killer,” will allow you to easily remove undeletable items from your computer. You can also disable the process that caused the removal refusal.

The disadvantage of File Assassin is the lack of Russian translation of the program interface.

Free File Unlocker

Free File Unlocker is a free program for removing locked items. Like other similar solutions, it allows you to do several things on the file: additional actions except, actually, deletion.

The application also shows the path to the program that does not allow you to delete the element. Free File Unlocker has portable version, which does not require installation.

The downside, again, is the lack of translation into Russian.

Unlocker

Unlocker fully lives up to its simple name. The entire interface is 3 buttons. Selecting an action on the file and clicking the “OK” button is all you need to do to deal with the undeletable element in Unlocker.

Due to its simplicity, the program suffers from a lack of features. But it is very simple and suitable for novice PC users. In addition, the application interface contains Russian.

Unlock IT

Unlock IT is one of the best software solutions to forcefully delete files and folders. This is explained by the fact that this product displays detailed information about the reason for the blocking: what application is blocking, where it is located, what is the load of this application on the system and what libraries this application uses. This helps a lot in the fight against file blocking viruses.

The program allows you to do many actions on locked items, and also works with folders.

Disadvantages include the lack of a Russian version and a slightly loaded interface.

With the help of the presented programs, you can easily delete undeletable files and folders from your computer. You no longer have to restart your computer to do this - just add the blocked item to the application and remove it.

Many files in Windows system are blocked from deletion, as they may entail a series of changes. It is highly not recommended to delete such files and folders, so as not to harm everything operating system however, if you are experienced and confident user computer, you can try to get rid of such files. In addition, many programs and applications leave behind undeletable files, which, in turn, can take up an impressive amount of memory. This “garbage” of programs must first be unblocked special software, only then can it be deleted, like regular file. In this article you will learn how to remove residual files, as well as eliminate the causes of some blockages.

How to Delete an Undeletable File: Check Processes in Task Manager

Even a simple photo or you will not be able to erase the picture while it is running in the system processes. For example, you just watched a movie and want to delete it from your computer, but Windows gives you an error. Most likely, your video file remains running in the player and simply cannot be deleted for this reason. Go to task manager and make sure you don't have any open processes, which may use an undeletable file.

Press combination CTRL keys+ SHIFT + ESC on the keyboard. A window called “Dispatcher” will open in front of you. Windows tasks" Here you can see everything running applications, stop them or close them altogether.
Go to the “Processes” tab.

Take a close look at what processes you have open. Perhaps one of them is using the correct file.
To close this process, left-click on it once and click on the “End process” button in the lower right corner.
The process will be stopped and the file will be freed. Now delete the required file as usual. Windows more it won't hurt you.

How to delete an undeletable file: cleaning the registry

A file that remains in the registry or is somehow associated with it cannot be deleted from the computer. Before cleaning the registry, think carefully about whether you have the skills to do it. There are two cleaning options: do it yourself and through specially created computer cleaning programs. The first method is suitable experienced users, it is more reliable.

Cleaning the registry yourself

Open the search bar by clicking on Start in the Explorer menu.

IN search bar write “regedit” and press Enter to start searching. At the top you will see the file you are looking for, click on it with the mouse.

The editor will open in front of you Windows registry. You need to work with this window very carefully and know for sure which files are preventing you from deleting a folder or other file on your computer. The essence of the work is as follows: you find in the registry the folder that has not been removed from the program or uses the required file and delete it.
Folders are divided into system, program and user. Find the one you need using the menu on the left and delete.

Cleaning the registry with special programs

To save precious time and not delete unnecessary things, there are special utilities for working with junk on your computer. One of the most popular such programs is called CCleaner. Download it from the developer’s official website to completely remove programs, clean the registry, clear browser caches and other utilities.

Visit the official website at http://ccleaner.org.ua/download and click on the field to download the program. It is possible to download two versions: portable and regular. The portable version is not installed on your computer, and you can transfer it to a flash drive or disk for use on other computers.

Installing the software will only take a couple of minutes. Just follow all the instructions on the screen.
Open the program after installation and go to the “CCleaner” tab. There will be a section “Windows”, in it you need to check the first five items in the section “ Windows Explorer” and seven in “System”. This way you will clear the cache, recycle bin, registry and others extra files, slowing down your computer and preventing you from deleting files.
Click on the “Run Cleaner” button and wait until it finishes. Try deleting your file now.

How to delete an undeletable file: Unlock the file

Many programs lock their files so that they cannot be deleted even after complete erasure software from a computer. Typically, these files are designed to store information about previous settings and program logs so that you can restore them if you want to install the software again. You can unlock such files only with special utilities, here is a small list for your choice:

FileAssassin is a free program that is distributed freely. It will be used in this article as an example.
Unlocker is the most popular program for unlocking files, it can remove the block even from some system folders and files.
LockHunter allows you to work in the program also as in the task manager, stopping all unnecessary processes.
IObit Unlocker. The program supports Russian language.

Go to the official FileAssassin website to download and click “Download”.

In the folder where all your downloaded files are saved, find and double-click on the file FileAssassin.exe

The installation process is not much different from other programs:

Select the installation directory.
Agree to the license agreement.

After installation is complete, check the box next to the words “Run FileAssassin” and click “Finish”.

The program will open itself. On the first line you need to specify the file that is not being deleted. Click on the three dots on the right side of the window.

Select a file and click “Open”.

Make sure that “Attempt FileAssassin’s method of file processing” is selected and the first three sub-items are checked. Click “Execute”.

That's it. The lock on the file is completely removed, you can erase it like a regular file using the Delete key.