How to delete a folder that doesn't exist. Program to remove files that are not deleted

In the process of working at a computer, a huge amount of unnecessary information accumulates, which reduces PC performance, clogging RAM. It must be removed. Quite often, due to an operating system failure, virus attack, the presence of hidden or system files, access blocking, and a number of other reasons, when deleting an object, a message appears that the folder is not being deleted. What to do in this case? There are several ways to help solve this problem.

Restarting the computer

Operating system failure is often the reason why empty folder is not deleted. In this case, a normal restart of the computer is enough - and the object can be deleted. If the reboot did not help, you will need:

Start your computer in safe mode.
. Delete the problematic folder.
. Return to normal mode.

Deleting folders involved in one of the running processes

If a folder or a file contained in it is involved in any system process or is used by an application, it cannot be deleted. First of all, you need to stop the process and only after that try to delete the directory again.

To do this, follow these steps:

Open task manager with a combination Ctrl keys+ Shift + Esc.
. Switch to the Processes tab.
. Find the required file in the list that opens.
. Select it with the mouse.
. Click on the "End Process" button.
. Delete the folder via the context menu or the Delete key.

How to delete a protected folder in a standard way

In some cases, the folder is protected and the user must have administrative rights to delete it. For this you need:

Shut down the computer.
. Turn on PC.
. Log in as administrator.
. Delete the folder in the usual way.

Unlocker utility and its features

If this method does not help to solve the problem of how to delete an undeletable folder, then you will need to install additional utility unlocker. it handy program for removing various objects, occupying a small volume memory hard disk and has an easy-to-use interface. Plus, it's completely free.

You can unlock and delete a folder using this utility as follows:

• Download the utility to your computer.
• Follow the standard installation procedure software, after which the program icon will appear in the system tray and in context menu.
• Select the folder to be deleted.
• Click on it with the right mouse button.
• In the pop-up menu, select Unlocker.
• The program window will open.
• At the bottom of the list of actions, select the line "Delete".
• If the folder is locked by some process (it will be highlighted in the program window), first click on the "Unlock" or "Unlock all" line, and then apply the "Delete" action.

Unlocker may not always be able to remove an object immediately. In this case, a message will be displayed that the action will be performed at the next system boot.

Deleting a folder via command line

In the event that a folder with a system name is not deleted, the command line can help. First you need to run the CMD program:

• Click on the "Start" button.
• Find the Run dialog box using the main menu search bar.
• Launch the Run program.
• In the "Open" line, enter the cmd command.
• Launch the command line by pressing the Enter button.

To delete folders, use the command "RD \\.\Drive C or D:\Path\Folder name".

Sometimes when using this command, the question may arise as to why the folder is not deleted. For an object that has a long name, it is necessary to know its short designation before deleting it. You can do this in the following way:

• Navigate to the drive containing the non-removable folder with the command: cd /d drivename:\.
• Get a list of short names of objects contained on the disk: dir /x /n.
• Find the short name of the desired folder.
• Delete a directory using the delete command.

Ending the explorer.exe process

Sometimes, in order to solve the problem of how to delete a folder that cannot be deleted, it is required to stop the explorer.exe process. For this you need:

• Leave the command line open.
• Launch Task Manager by selecting this action in the pop-up menu on the system tray.
• In the "Processes" tab, find all processes with the name explorer.exe.
• Stop them by clicking on the "End Process" button.
• If everything is done correctly, the desktop will be cleared of icons, the taskbar, only open window command line.

After that, you can start deleting the object through the command line. The explorer command will help return the desktop to its previous state, which should be entered into the command line and press the Enter key. You can also restore the desktop by simply restarting the computer.

FileASSASSIN folder remover

The FileASSASSIN utility will help you delete any object, including those occupied by any process or application. By the principle of operation, it is similar to the Unlocker program. To use this utility, you must:

• Download and install it on your computer.
• After installation, the program is integrated into the "Explorer" and becomes available in the context menu.
• To delete a folder, right-click on it.
• In the menu, find the item FileASSASSIN.
• Select a deletion method from the list provided.
• Click on the "Execute" button.

Removing undeletable objects with LockHunter

The LockHunter utility allows you to clear the computer's memory of unnecessary objects and solve the problem of how to delete a non-deleted folder. Unlike other similar software, it is equipped with functionality that can protect the operating system and user data from misuse. In addition, deleted objects are stored in the system recycle bin for some time, and if they are deleted by mistake, they can always be restored.

The LockHunter program works as follows:

• After installation, you need to launch the utility by double-clicking on the icon on the desktop.
• The main program window will open.
• Find the button in the form of an ellipsis and click on it.
• In the window that appears, select the desired folder.
• The program will show the process that prevents the object from being deleted.
• Click on the button with the red cross.
• The process will be completed.
• Delete the folder in the usual way.

Restoring access to a folder

Sometimes the reason why a folder is not deleted is that access to it is closed. You can restore access to the desired object as follows:

• Change access rights settings - for this you first need to go to the "My Computer" section.
• In the top menu, click on the "Service" subsection.
• Find the "Folder Options" block and open it.
• In the "View" tab, uncheck the checkbox next to the "Use simple file sharing (recommended)" line.
• Press the "OK" button.
• Then right-click on the folder you want to delete.
• In the functional menu, select the "Sharing and security" item.
• Switch to the "Security" tab.
• If you receive a warning about the lack of rights, click the "OK" button.
• In the "Security" tab at the bottom, click on the "Advanced" button.
• In the advanced options window, find the "Owner" tab.
• Select the required account from the list.
• Check the box next to the line "Replace the owner of subcontainers and objects".
• Press the "Apply" button.
• A warning about the change of ownership will appear.
• Allow changes by clicking the "Yes" button.
• Go to the "Permissions" tab.
• Click on the "Change Permissions" line.
• In the window that opens, select the owner account and click the "Change" button.
• Check the box next to "Full access" and click the "OK" button.
• In the next window, check the boxes next to the lines “Add permissions inherited from parent objects” and “Replace all permissions of a child object with permissions inherited from this object”.
• Confirm the changes with the "OK" button.
• Close all windows.
• Delete a folder using the "Delete" function in the context menu or the Delete key.

Deleting an object with a bat-file command

If the folder that appears again is not deleted, you must create a bat file and eliminate the directory by running it. This will require the following steps:

• Right-click on an empty spot on the desktop.
• In the pop-up menu, select the "Create" function and the item "Text Document".
• Open document.
• Enter the command into it: RMDIR /S/Q Path to the folder of the form C:\folder name.
• In the top menu, go to the "File" section.
• Click on the "Save As" line.
• Set the file name to "1.bat" and click the "Save" button.
• Run the created bat-file - and the folder will be deleted.

Using the Total Commander File Manager

You can permanently delete a folder using the program Total Commander. For this you need:

• Launch file manager.
• Select a non-removable folder.
• Press the "F8" key.
• In the message that appears, click on the "Delete" button.

Folder not deleted? What to do? There are many ways to solve this problem. The choice of deletion method depends on the type of folder and the reasons that do not allow you to clean your computer of unnecessary objects.

To provide the ability to catalog data in Windows, as well as in other operating systems, a tree structure is used, which is a set of nested special file container objects called folders. In Windows, folders can be system folders that store files of the operating system itself, they can be user and program folders, that is, those created by third-party applications.

As a rule, the user can do anything with folders of the second type, he also has a lot of powers when working with program directories, for example, he can manually delete the folder left on the disk after uninstalling the application, but there are cases when the folder cannot be deleted in the usual way. There may be several reasons for this. Most often this happens because the user does not have the necessary access rights, the directory can also be held by some process, it can have an incorrect name, the path is too long, etc.

Folder not deleted due to lack of admin permission

Let's look at how to delete a folder if the action asks for permission from the administrator. This issue is most commonly encountered by users running a desktop or guest account, but this is also possible when you yourself are the administrator of the computer.

In the first case, to delete the folder, you will have to enter the password for the PC owner account, since the system will constantly ask you for it, or use universal way, which will be discussed at the end of the article.

But what if the folder is not deleted when working under an administrator account?

The reason may be that you either do not own it or do not have the appropriate access rights. Open the folder properties, switch to the "Security" tab and click the "Advanced" button in the window that opens.

In the new window, opposite the "Owner" line, click on the "Change" link.

In the next window, click the "Advanced" button. Another window will open.

Leave the object type in it as "User", then click the "Search" button and select the user you want to make the owner of the directory in the list that appears below.

Click OK and OK again.

After the owner is changed, check the checkbox "Replace the owner of subcontainers and objects" and save the settings.

Next, you will need to provide the new owner with full rights folder access. Click in the properties window "Edit", select the desired user in the window for changing permissions, give him full access rights and save the settings.

After that, the folder should be easily deleted.

Note: folders owned by the system service are deleted in the same way. First, the owner of the folder is replaced, then he is granted (if necessary) full rights and the folder is deleted.

The folder is being used by another program

Like any other file system object, a directory may not be deleted because it is being used by some process. How to delete the folder in this case? The first thing to try to do is to identify the holding process, the second is to force it to terminate using the Task Manager or other specialized utility. In most of these cases, when the folder is not deleted, Windows writes that it is being used by another program, and the name of this program is usually indicated in the message box.

But it may also be that the name of the program will not appear. In such a situation, the utility can help out great. Process Explorer, which is part of the Sysinternals Administration Toolkit. Run the utility (it's portable), select from the main menu Find - Find Handle or DLL.

Enter the name of the folder to hold in the "Handle or DLL substring" field and click "Search". After a couple of seconds, you will get the process name, its PID in the Task Manager, and the full path to the object used by the process.

By the way, using the utility, you can complete the process and then delete the folder itself.

The system writes that it could not find this item

Among the folders that cannot be deleted, there is a special group that belongs to the so-called ghost objects. The difficulty here lies in the fact that it is not always possible to identify the cause of the appearance of such an object. This may be an incorrect (long or reserved) name, the action of a malicious program, blocking it by another process, or damage to the file system. We already know how to check if the process is blocking, now let's try to figure out what to do if the folder is not deleted from the desktop with the message "could not find this item."

If the folder has a system reserved name, such as COM or PRN, you can delete it using the command line. Launch the CMD console as an administrator and run the following command in it:

rd //./Drive:/full path to the folder

In order to delete a "non-removable" folder with a too long name, you first need to know its short alias name. This is done again using the command line. team cd /d (path) change to the parent directory of the problematic directory and list the names of all the objects it contains with the command dir /x /n.

Note: if the folder is on drive C, the key /d do not need to be used in the jump command.

In our example, a folder with a name consisting of many dots has a short name 782F~1. Knowing the alias, we can safely remove it:

rd C:/Users/Computer/Desktop/782F~1

Special attention deserves the case when the folder is not deleted, not because it has the wrong name or is being held system process, but because it simply doesn't exist, which may be indicated by the absence of the object in the command line list or the LiveCD file manager. This may indicate damage to the file system, therefore, before taking any further action, the disk must be checked for errors with the command CHKDSK.

Action of viruses

Less likely, but viruses that have entered the system are capable of creating a similar problem. Their action may be indicated by the permanent automatic re-creation of the folder after its removal using the LiveCD or special utilities, as well as the presence in the folder itself of suspicious hidden files, executable or configuration files. The solution to the problem in such cases is standard - full check at least two computers virus scanners produced preferably in offline before loading the operating system.

Invalid attributes

Another one possible reason, by which the folder is not deleted - the attributes set for it are system and read-only. It is not difficult to check the presence of such “holding” attributes; it is enough to execute the command attrib [full path to the folder] in the command line. The presence of the S or R keys will indicate that the folder is read-only or system. To unlock a directory, run the following command from an administrator command prompt:

attrib -r -s D:/Private /d /s

AT this example we have removed the "Read Only" and "Hidden" attributes for the Private directory in the root of drive D. After changing the attributes, the folder can be deleted.

If the folder is not deleted from the desktop or any other location, you can try using free utility unlocker. This lightweight and extremely easy-to-use tool allows you to delete files and folders locked by system and third-party processes, it can also be useful when deleting objects that require higher access rights than rights local administrator, malfunctions sharing files and folders, and other errors.

How to delete a folder in Windows 7/10 using Unlocker? Very simple. During the installation process, the utility is built into the Explorer context menu, so to delete an object, you just need to right-click on it and select the “Unlocker” option from the menu. If the object is not deleted immediately, a window will appear in which you can select the desired action, such as deleting, renaming, and moving. If a file or folder is locked by a system process that cannot be closed immediately, the utility will prompt you to delete the object during the computer restart.

Above, we figured out why the folder may not be deleted from the computer, and at the same time we considered the main ways to solve the problem. In conclusion, we suggest considering another way to delete locked folders. Its main advantage lies in its versatility, as it allows you to get almost unlimited access to file system computer. To do this, you will need any LiveCD based on Linux or WinPE with a built-in file manager. Having set the appropriate priorities in the BIOS, boot from such a disk, find the blocked object using the built-in Explorer and delete it.

It happens that you just need to delete a folder or file, but Windows does not allow you to do this and writes about errors like "this process is busy" or "folder is not empty" or something else. Maybe you found some folder or file that you "didn't like" and want to delete it. Maybe you know for sure that this is "unnecessary trash" that only takes up space, and Windows swears and does not allow it. In general, not so important Why can't you delete, How many How to delete and in this article you will find answers to this question.

Most often, such situations occur due to the fact that the deleted files are occupied by other programs. But it also happens that it is impossible to delete a file even after closing all applications that can use this file. For example, a file or folder may become locked due to incorrect user actions and cannot be deleted in any way. These folders (files) remain "hanging" on the hard disk, take up space, are not opened and are not deleted.

The file may not be deleted due to a failure that occurred during its recording or overwriting. If you interrupt the write process, the file is not fully saved, leaving invalid entries in the file system. And our beloved Winda, not knowing how to handle it, simply simply closes access to it, such as for security purposes.

So, let's start dancing with a tambourine!

Why is the file not being deleted?

1) The file was blocked by an antivirus program. Often this happens when the antivirus quarantines the file. Or the antivirus detected a malicious program, but the treatment was delayed (it is waiting for its databases to be updated). In this case, in order to avoid infecting the computer, the user is blocked from accessing this file. Check Quarantine antivirus program and delete the file using the antivirus itself, or disable the antivirus and delete the file manually.

2) The file is being used by another program. Consider what programs can be used given file. Close them and try deleting the file again. If this does not help, use the Task Manager to check the list of processes, the program may still be running.

3) Administrator rights are required to delete a file. If you are using a user account, log in again as an administrator and try deleting the file.

4) The file is being used by another user local network . Please wait and try deleting the file later.

5) The file is in use by the system. Try deleting the file after restarting your computer or in safe mode.

6) The device is write protected. For example, SD memory cards and some USB flash drives have a special switch to lock the device.

There are several ways to remove, I will start with the simplest and most effective and gradually move on to more complex ones.

1. Method:

Reboot

We programmers have a saying - "7 troubles - one reset". What does it mean you can guess

But the meaning of the method is that you need to restart your computer and try to delete the file / folder again.

2. Method:

Safe mode

You need to log in in safe mode.

What is the advantage of booting the system in safe mode? The thing is that Windows does not load its libraries to execute dialogs. To put it simply, if you have a virus on your computer (and this is not excluded), then in this safe mode it will not perform any actions. In this mode, there is nothing superfluous, only a clean AXIS and a person.

In order to enter this mode, when you turn on the computer and after loading the BIOS (or in general, you can press the key intensively from the very beginning of loading the "black screen") F8(no need to press and hold!!!). A black screen will appear, in which you need to select Advanced boot options using the keys on the keyboard, and there is already Safe Mode (well, or just Safe Mode, you don’t need to select all sorts of there With command line support and so on. And so it will do) and press Enter. If you did everything correctly, the system will boot up and in the lower right corner there will be an inscription Safe mode (it can still be in all corners). Do not be afraid of the black screen that will appear) without wallpaper and beauty.

Now you need to find the file that you just could not delete and try to delete it. In any case (it turned out or not), reboot.

3. Way:

Through the program Unlocker

That's it for such purposes, good uncles wrote such a program, called Unlocker. It's very small free program to unlock files running in Windows. This utility allows you to close open file locks, thus making it possible to perform further actions on these files. Those. the program shows all processes blocking a file (folder) and can delete it despite all blockers.

In addition, the program allows you to rename files and their extensions or move a locked file to another location. This is also very convenient, because. Windows does not always allow you to do this quickly and calmly.

During installation, DO NOT agree to the proposed toolbar (well, or you really need it, then click Next) and uncheck Install Babylon Toolbar - RECOMMENDED. And the rest of the installation is normal - everywhere Further I accept Install and everything)

Just right-click on a file that is not deleted (not moved / renamed) in the usual way and select the program icon from the menu. A window should appear in which you select Delete from the list and press the button OK.

If the file or folder is locked, another window will appear. In it, you must first click on the button Unlock everything, and then Delete.

For those who do not know what bit depth is on the system - we read

4. Method:

Through file managers

Of all the most popular and commonly used file managers, the most popular is Total Commander.

File managers have the ability to bypass some Windows restrictions, which we will use.

To delete a non-removable file, we need to download one of these file managers, FAR or Total Commander (I use Total Commander Podarok Edition). After downloading and installing, find your file in the list of directories and delete it by either pressing the right mouse button and selecting the Delete item, or by pressing the Delete key on the keyboard.

Also, these managers have good opportunity- see everything that is hidden and encrypted (especially different colors, like mine). If you do not delete the folder, then go into it through the manager and see what's there. If you see hidden file, which means he interferes. Then launch Task Manager ctrl+shift+esc), go to the Processes tab and look for this file in the list (it’s good to click on the button at the bottom left of the dispatcher Display processes of all users), find and complete (del or RMB -> End process or end process button in the lower right corner). With files, the same application, we are looking for the file name and "kill".

5. Method:

Another option with Unlocker

If the folder is not deleted from you, it writes something like "the folder is not empty", then we create a new folder on the same disk, transfer the folders that cannot be deleted to a new folder, delete the new folder using Unlocker

6. Method:

With autoload

Click Start => Run => In the Run box, type msconfig => Click OK. You will see the System Setup window. Go to the "Startup" tab and in the list of downloaded items, find a name similar to your "non-removable" file.

If there is no such file in the list, then click on the "Disable all" button. Click on the "Apply" => "Close" button. The operating system will issue a warning that all changes made by the system setup program will only take effect after the computer is restarted. Click the "Reboot" button. The computer will restart. After downloading, try deleting the "non-removable" file again.

7. Method:

Using System Restore

In the System Setup window (which was as in previous paragraph), select General. Click on the "Start System Restore" button. In the window that appears, select the item "Restore an earlier state of the computer", click "Next". In a new window, you will see a calendar where you can select the date for system restore. Select a date when the "non-removable" file was not on the computer. Press "Next". Don't worry, System Restore won't affect your personal files.

8. Method:

Lack of permissions to delete files

Right-click on the problematic object and select "Properties" from the drop-down list

In the window that opens, select the "Security" tab

Highlight your name in the list and select "Full Control"

- "Apply" and "OK"

Trying to delete

9. Method:

Use a different operating system.

Try booting from a removable disk (or CD/DVD) (LiveCD or LiveUSB) with a different operating system. Then delete the file/folder.

10. Method:

Move somewhere.

Sometimes it helps to move (cut) the folder to an empty flash drive and format it later.

11. Method:

In the window, type the command chkdsk c: / f / r and click Enter, while keeping in mind that c: is the name of the drive to be checked. If the disk being checked has a different letter, then write it.

If the checked drive is C:, then when you click Enter You will be prompted to check it the next time you reboot. When asked whether to check or not on the next reboot, type Y and press Enter.

If the disk name is different, then the check will start immediately. At the end of the test, the result of the test will appear. Type exit and click Enter.

Now you can delete the file that you didn't want to delete. In the case of drive C, just restart the computer and after checking, delete the non-removable file.

12. Method:

In the case of opening the command line through Start - All Programs ... run the process as an administrator (RMB and Run as Administrator) and move to the folder with the file (or folder) that cannot be deleted using the cd \ command in order to end up in the root directory drive, and then cd folder_name to go to the desired folder.

When deleting some files through the OS, a notification appears that the operation cannot be completed because the file is in use by another program. Next, you will learn why this happens, and what tools can be used to successfully remove unnecessary files.

Description of the problem

If you open a certain file of a registered type in the appropriate program, for example, text editor or music player, it cannot be deleted just like that by switching from the editor to Explorer and clicking "Delete". The operating system will not allow the erasure of data that is used directly in this moment in PC operation. In this case, one process (started by the user) tries to erase the file from the storage medium, and another process (started by the operating system or another program) blocks the delete operation, believing that this will lead to a malfunction or some other problems.

In fact, each of these processes is important and necessary, but it happens that the file to be deleted is not opened by any program, and at the same time, the OS does not allow it to be deleted. As a rule, this is due to such reasons:

• Incorrect closing of the file by the program or incorrect termination of the program itself in the last session of its work.
• A virus has entered the PC, and when trying to remove an infected program or the virus itself, it tries to defend itself, not allowing it to be easily eliminated.
• The OS considers that some other user is currently working with the file - either from the same PC or via the local network. Whether this is really so may be unknown, or even known that there is no other user and cannot be. But to delete such a file in any case does not work.

Below we will consider several ways in which you can solve the problem of undeletable files.

Simple Removal Methods

Initially, we suggest that you use simple methods Solutions to the problem (listed in order of speed):

• Reboot PC. Oddly enough, but quite often it is this simple measure that allows you to shut down all OS processes and then successfully delete an unnecessary file.
• Try renaming the file, if successful - then try deleting (don't forget to copy this file in advance if you may need it later).
• Transfer the file to another logical drive/flash drive. If it works, delete it from the new location.
• Check the file attributes (they can be changed in the Properties context menu item). Remove read-only, hidden, system, archive attributes and try to delete again.
• Check the creation date and last change file. If it is clearly inadequate (according to the OS, the file was created in 1980 or was last modified in 2060), try changing the date to a realistic one and delete it.
• If this file is typical and can be modified (for example, text in the “Word” format), try opening it in a program corresponding to the file type, somehow changing the content, saving the data already in new version, close the program and try to uninstall again. The same method can work with non-standard files, but the probability of a successful outcome is reduced.

A fairly simple method of deleting "busy" files and folders using the "Resource Monitor" and stopping the blocking process is described in a short, understandable video:

What should I do if I cannot delete a file/folder due to permissions?

No access to file/folder. To delete this file/folder, you need to have "Administrator" rights - if such notifications appear when you try to delete a file/folder, you need to reconfigure the access rights. To do this, you will have to do the following manipulations (an example of deleting a folder):

• Right-click on the folder, select "Properties" - "Security" - "Advanced".
• In the "Owner" line, change the user to the one under which you are currently working in the system. To do this, you can click "Check Names", then put a bird in the line "Replace the owner of subcontainers and objects" and click "OK".
• The window “ Windows Security and for a while the OS will do "Change Ownership". Next, the PC will ask: “Do you want to change the permissions for this folder so that you have rights full access? Answer - "Yes".
• Next, we again see the "Properties" window, the "Security" tab. Click the "Change" button with a drawn shield, that is, we will just change our access rights to this folder, including the right to delete. For each user, put a tick in the top line "Full access" and "OK".
• You will have to wait for a certain period of time, now your access rights to the folder and objects inside it will change. Do not forget in the "General" properties tab, uncheck the "Read only" item, confirm this change in attributes as well.

After a short wait, the folder can usually be safely deleted. If Windows asks for permissions again, try repeating the described procedure.

All manipulations to remove a locked folder or file can be seen in the video:

What programs can delete non-removable files?

If none of the above methods helped, then in such a situation you already have to use tools to delete files.

Unlocker

One of the most popular tools for deleting files in the CIS that do not want to be deleted is the Unlocker program. It can be downloaded by clicking on the link to the developer's website: www.emptyloop.com.

Important! old Unlocker versions may not work in 64-bit operating systems - Windows 7, 8, 10. Do not download old versions on unknown sites where the content has not been updated for a long time.

There are both installable (built into the operating system) and “portable” versions. Each version has its own minor advantages and disadvantages, but for a one-time removal, the portable version is recommended. However, if you have problems with deleting files regularly, then it is better to install Unlocker.

During the installation, it is possible to install Unlocker Assistant. This assistant program is always visible in the Taskbar and will automatically launch in cases where there are problems with uninstallation.

Working with the portable version of the program is very simple:

• Launch Unlocker.
• Select the desired file in the window that opens, and you will see processes that do not allow you to delete it. These are "blocking descriptors".
• At the bottom left there is an opportunity to select options for actions - delete, unlock, transfer.

The principle of using the installed version is almost identical:

Agree and reboot.

Unlocker analogs

Unfortunately, official support Unlocker ended on Windows 7 (which usually does not prevent it from working normally under later versions of the OS), but for trouble-free operation under Windows 8 and Windows 10, it is better to use IObit Unlocker. The interface is very similar, Russified and in general does not cause any difficulties.

dead lock

Unlike the previous program, this one will definitely need to be run on the computer in order to uninstall desired file. You can download the application from the link: http://codedead.com/?page_id=822

Instructions for using the program:

• Open the application and go to the "File" tab.
• Select the file to be deleted.
• We click on the file with the right mouse button, then select "Unlock" (unlock) or "Remove" (delete).

The disadvantage of this program is that it only supports the English interface.

Using Live-CD or Live-flash

A radical way to get rid of an unnecessary file is to start the operating system not from your PC's hard drive, but from a Live-CD or Live-flash. But this requires at least the Live-CD itself plus a drive for it. It’s better if you have a Live-flash (the same, but on a flash drive, you don’t need a drive), a USB port is enough here:

• Insert the Live media into the PC, boot from it (you may need to enter the BIOS).
• Find the stubborn file on your HDD and erase it. The OS from the Live media will not object in any case, since for it any file on your PC is a foreign body.
• Turn off the PC, remove the Live media, and boot up the computer. The previously undeleted file will be deleted.

For unsure users, it is better to refuse this method in favor of using the special programs described above.

How to remove non-removable programs

Some companies make it so that after installing their programs on your PC there are some additional programs that are completely unnecessary to you, and you did not give conscious consent to their installation. If you cannot remove such programs from the "Programs and Features" list using regular means along the following path "Start" - "Properties" - "Programs" - "Uninstall a program", uninstaller programs will come to the rescue:

• Revo Uninstaller Pro is one of the most popular programs to uninstall other programs. Russified. Completely removes all references to the removed software, not only from the disk, but also from the registry. There is an autoload control; irretrievably erases not only programs, but also junk files; cleans browser history (not all, you can check by version) and document history in MS Office; is automatically updated. The unique "hunter mode" allows you to find and remove a program that is not registered in the list of programs.
• IObit Uninstaller Free - removes the entire package associated with the unwanted program. In addition, it has a forced removal function, which helps to demolish the most "stubborn" programs. Allows "rollback" windows updates. Disables browser extensions and plugins. Creates a list installed programs and saves to a file. Keeps a history of its work (uninstallation of programs).
• Advanced Uninstaller Pro. Deletes cookies, customizes toolbars in browsers. Optimizes the registry file. There's even a font manager for Windows!

If the case turned out to be very difficult, try paid versions uninstallers, such as the Uninstall Tool. If they did not help, it remains to contact the support service, where a qualified specialist will help you.

How to delete non-removable files from a flash drive

To delete files from a flash drive, most of the above methods will work. In addition, you will always have the “final argument” in stock - full formatting. After it, no files, folders, or viruses will remain on the flash drive.

So, if such a situation arose when it was impossible to delete a file by conventional means, because operating system(more precisely, some of its visible or hidden process) believes that the files are still in progress, you can use the instructions above to successfully complete the removal and get rid of the unnecessary file.

When you try to delete a particular folder in the usual way, the system may display a message stating that deletion is currently not possible. The notice usually states the reason why the section cannot be moved to the Trash. Consider the types of errors and take the necessary measures.

Why are some folders not deleted in Windows 10

The system resists the deletion of certain objects for the following reasons:

• files located in this directory are currently being used by some applications. Completely close the utility and try deleting the file folder again; You won't be able to delete a folder if it contains a file that is currently in use by some application
• the user does not have enough permissions to send the folder to the Trash. As a rule, this applies to system folders, which require administrator rights to delete;
  Admin rights are required to delete some folders
• the file folder is used by the user on another computer if your PC is connected to a local network. In this situation, it remains only to wait for him to finish working with her;
• the folder contains incorrect or incomplete files. If the write process for HDD was interrupted, the files are only partially saved and often do not start. As a result, they become "dead weight" for Windows: the OS does not know what to do with them, and closes access to them;
  Unforeseen errors during deletion of folders may occur due to the presence of damaged or incorrectly written files
• the files in the folder have been quarantined by an antivirus utility. Delete the quarantined file through the antivirus itself, and then try to delete it again.
  The non-deleted folder may contain files that are currently in the "Quarantine" section of the antivirus

Is it possible to delete such folders

You have the right to freely delete custom ones, which, as a rule, are located on local disk D. Cleaning directories on system drive With you need to be as careful as possible because of the risk of deleting files important for the operation of the system. Deleting folders needed by the OS can cause it to crash or crash and cause the computer to shut down prematurely.

Just system files cannot be deleted. The OS will issue various messages, such as asking for administrator permission, etc.

Admin rights are required to delete most system folders

Nevertheless, cleaning system folders from "garbage" is useful: it saves the OS from unnecessary files. But you need to know what can be deleted and what not. For example, you can delete folders from uninstalled programs in the Program Files section. For one reason or another, they could remain empty on the PC or with several files. In this situation, one of the following methods is suitable.

In the Program Files folder, look for sections with programs that have long been uninstalled and delete them, for example, using " command line»

Before cleaning the system hard drive from unnecessary folders, it is recommended to create a restore point. In case of unsuccessful removal, you can return the system to its original state.

If a message appears on the screen asking for permission from TrustedInstaller system components), deleting the folder is not recommended. If you are sure that it can be safely removed from the system, use the method with reconfiguring rights.

If you receive a message about the need for permission from TrustedInstaller, delete folders and files only when you are sure that the system does not need them

If in doubt whether it is possible to delete a particular directory on the system disk, find information about it on the Internet.

Ways to delete folders that don't want to disappear

Depending on the type of problem, select one or more of the solutions detailed below.

Deleting Windows.old, folders with temporary files and other system directories

If you want to clean the system partition from garbage, for example, delete old Windows installation from the Windows.old folder and temporary files from Temp folders, but the system does not allow you to do this, use the Disk Cleanup tool:

1. Open "Control Panel" via " Windows Search”, the Start menu or in another way convenient for you. Click on the "Administration" section.
   In the "Control Panel" window, find the "Administrative Tools" section and click on it once
2. Select Disk Cleanup.
   In the list, click on the item "Disk Cleanup"
3. Select the system drive.
   Select the drive you want to clean from the drop-down menu
4. Click on the "Clean up system files" button, because. in the current window, you can only get rid of some folders and their contents.
   For deep cleaning, click on "Clean up system files"
5. Wait a while for the system to estimate the amount of memory that can be freed. A window will open with a list of possible partitions to clean up. Select the desired directories using the checkboxes, for example, the item "Previous Windows installations". Start the process of deleting files from folders through the "OK" button.
   Select the items you want to clean up and click OK.
6. The system will ask if you are sure you want to delete all old Windows versions. In this case, you will not be able to roll back to the previous update. If you really want to delete them and free up space on your system drive, click on "Yes".
   Click on "Yes" if you want to remove previous installations of Windows
7. The removal will take a long time, so be patient.
   Waiting for the deletion to complete

Restarting the computer as a solution to the problem

Deleting a partition on a hard disk may become impossible due to a single failure in the system or because it is currently using this file. In this case, you can simply restart your PC and the problem will disappear. Never use the Power button on your PC to turn it off.

Closing utilities associated with a folder in Task Manager

If you want to delete a folder from text documents which are currently open in Microsoft office, the system will notify you that this action is not possible. She will ask you to close all utility windows and try again.

Close the window and try uninstalling again

But if the utility is closed, and the folder is still not deleted, most likely the Microsoft process Office Word(or any other program through which the file was opened) is still hanging in the list of running processes. To shut down the application completely, you can restart your computer or end the task manually in the "Task Manager":

Video: how to end a process in the Task Manager

Changing Attributes

Incorrectly set folder attributes can prevent users from deleting them. To fix the situation, do the following:

1. AT " Windows Explorer» open the directory that contains the folder to be deleted. For example, this is the user's "Photos" folder. Right-click on it and click "Properties".
   In the context menu of the folder, click on "Properties"
2. An additional window will appear on the display. In the "General" tab, we find the "Attributes" section and uncheck all items. You need to uncheck the "Read Only" box.
   Uncheck the attributes in the "General" folder
3. Click the "Apply" button. A third window will appear, in which check the second item "To this folder and to all subfolders and files." Click "OK".
   Apply changes to the folder and to all files and sections nested in it
4. Try to delete the directory again.

Reconfiguring access rights

If the folder cannot be removed because the user does not have administrator rights, it is necessary to configure the system in such a way that the user becomes the owner of the folder and has full access to actions with it.

1. Find the folder in Windows Explorer and right-click on it. Select "Properties".
2. Go to the "Security" tab and click on "Advanced".
   In the "Security" tab, click on the "Advanced" button
3. Click on the "Add" button.
   Click on "Add" to go to the next window
4. Click on the blue link "Select a Subject".
   Click on the first link "Choose a Subject"
5. Click on the "Advanced" button.
   Click on "More" to see a list of accounts
6. Click on "Search" and select yourself from the list below (usually this is the very first item). Click "OK".
   Click on the "Search" button and select your account from the list
7. Confirm the subject by clicking the OK button.
   Click on "OK" to save the selected account
8. In the second part of the window there will be a list with permissions. Check the box to the left of "Full Control".
   Check the item "Full control" in the list of general permissions
9. Click on the "OK" button to make changes.
   Click on "OK" to save the permissions
10. Using the "Apply" button, we save the changes made. We put ourselves as the owner by clicking on the "Change" link.
    Click on the "Change" link to change the owner of the folder
11. Select the owner also using the "More" and "Search" buttons.
12. Check the box next to the "Replace owner of subcontainers and objects" option.
    To save all changes, click on "Apply"
13. Click "Apply" again and then "OK" to close the window.
14. Restart your PC and try deleting the folder.

Video: How to get full access to a specific folder

Using "Command Line"

You can get rid of the folder through the "Command line":

Video: How to Force Delete Folders Using Command Prompt

Removing in "Safe Mode"

An unnecessary partition may be deleted if the computer runs in "Safe Mode", in which the system starts only the most important components. The folder will not be locked, you will have access to it. This method may work if there are badly written files in the folder. To activate "Safe Mode" on Windows 10:

1. Press the Win + R combination on your keyboard to bring up the Run window. In the Open box, type msconfig. It is best to copy and paste it so as not to make a mistake. Click "OK".
   Enter the command msconfig in the "Open" field and click on "OK"
2. The System Configuration window will appear on the screen. Go to the "Download" section.
   In the "System Configuration" window, check the box next to "Safe Mode"
3. Check the box to the left of "Safe Mode". Click on "Apply" first so that all changes are successfully saved, and then on "OK" to close the window.
   Click on "Apply" and on "OK", and then reboot the device
4. Restart your PC. When you restart the OS, it will boot in the installed mode. Try deleting the annoying folder.
5. If you want the PC to boot later in normal mode, go to this window again, uncheck the item and save the changes.

Video: How to activate "Safe Mode" in Windows 10

With the help of special utilities

Folders that cannot be deleted may contain locked program files that cannot be removed from the PC memory even after complete removal utilities. Programs specifically block them so that the user can restore the utility if he wants to use it again. Special software can solve this unusual problem.

For example, let's take a small FileAssassin application from the developer Malwarebytes. It installs quite quickly on a PC and does not require much space. The downside is that the utility English language, but following a simple instruction, you can easily unlock any folder and file in it:

1. Go to the official website of the utility. Click Download. Open the downloaded installer and install the application following the simple prompts in the window.
   Click on the download button to download the installer
2. Launch the software through the icon on the "Desktop". The main program window will open.
   In the initial window of FileAssassin, check all the checkboxes in the list of options
3. Check the boxes next to all items in the list.
   Click on the button with three dots and open the folder you want to delete
4. Click on the button to the right of the empty field with three dots. Select a folder in the additional window.
   Click on Execute so that all the actions marked in the list are applied to the folder or file from it
5. Click the Execute button. A message should appear on the screen stating that the file was successfully deleted.
   Click on "OK" to close the window and see if the folder has been deleted

The choice of such programs is quite large. For Windows 10, utilities such as IObit Unlocker, LockHunter, Far Manager and others.

Using the file manager Total Commander

Total Commander is one of the most famous and successful file managers for Windows. The utility is paid, but at the beginning a trial period is provided for testing (1 month). With this application, you can forcefully delete a folder that is not erased in the usual "Windows Explorer":

1. Go to official resource utilities. Download the program installer according to your system version (32-bit or 64-bit).
   Download the Total Commander installer from the official site
2. Install the utility by following the simple instructions in the window.
3. Run the program through the icon on the "Desktop". You will immediately be prompted to use free version product within a month.
   You can use the program for free for a month
4. In the Commander window, find the folder that you couldn't delete before. Click on it with the left mouse button to select it. After that press F8.
   We find in the program window the folder that we want to delete
5. Confirm deletion.
   Click "Yes" to delete the folder
6. The delete option can also be launched in a more familiar way for all users. Right-click and select "Delete" from the large menu.
   Select the "Delete" option in the context menu of the folder

There are a number of manipulations that can help in deleting a "stubborn" folder:

The problem of the impossibility of deleting certain folders is more than solvable. The way out of the situation depends on the type of error: closing the program in which the folder file is open; obtaining full access to sections; changing attributes and even a simple reboot of the system in the event of a single failure.