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Undeletable File - Delete

Using command prompt to delete files that explorer.exe is locking.
Published 20 Apr 2010
Published by
not so gray matter's Avatar

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How to Delete an "Undeletable" File

information   Information
This tutorial shows you how to delete undeletable files and folders. There are times when explorer.exe somehow locks files into place and won't allow them to be deleted. In order to delete them you must close explorer.exe and use a command prompt to delete the file.


Tip   Tip
Be very careful when deleting files through command prompt, it's possible you could accidently delete the wrong file.


1. - Open an elevated command prompt
Start > Search "cmd" > Right Click cmd.exe > Run as Administrator

Undeletable File - Delete-opencmd.png
2. - Leave Command prompt open; Open task manager
Undeletable File - Delete-opentm.png
3. - End process "explorer.exe"
Undeletable File - Delete-endexphowto.png

Undeletable File - Delete-explorerend.png
4. - Switch back to command prompt
Undeletable File - Delete-switchcmd.png
5A. - FILE - Change to the directory of your file and delete it.
First run this line: cd "PATH OF YOUR FILE"
i.e. cd "%USERPROFILE%"\Downloads"
Now run this line: del filename.extension
i.e. del filename.mkv

Undeletable File - Delete-commanddelete.png
5B. - FOLDER - Delete the folder.
Enter Command: RD /S /Q [DRIVE:]\PATH\TO\FOLDER
i.e
RD /S /Q C:\Users\[username]\Downloads\FOLDERNAME

Undeletable File - Delete-removefolder.png
6. - Switch back to task manager
Undeletable File - Delete-switchtask.png
7. - Restart "explorer.exe"
Undeletable File - Delete-newexphowto.png

Undeletable File - Delete-newexp.png
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04 Aug 2011   #1
drifking8887

windows 7
64 posts
SRI Lanka
 
 
thank you very much.it was a real sick for me. thanx again
My System SpecsSystem Spec

15 Oct 2011   #2
claudzen17

windows 7 32bit
1 posts
 
 
men..!! thanks for this wonderful tweaks it took me 7hours just finding for the right solution!
this works with me, now my undeletable file is gone forever..
i have registered myself here just to give you my thanks..
My System SpecsSystem Spec
10 Oct 2012   #3
swilly

Windows 7 Professional 64bit
1 posts
 
 
Thanks notsograymatter,

Excellent solution to a problem that had troubled me for a few days. It worked for me deleting files from an external USB drive, on Windows Server 2008R2. Much appreciated.
Last edited by swilly; 10 Oct 2012 at 01:43 PM..
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.


05 Feb 2013   #4
lavanya46

Windows 7 x64
1 posts
 
 
Thanks, this was a great help. Worked perfectly.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
07 Mar 2013   #5
Hellblazre

Windows XP Service Pack 3 32bit
1 posts
 
 
Good god, THANK YOU! I had this url link i couldnt delete and thanks to your technique i finally got rid of the little *******. XD
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Comment

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