How to Delete an "Undeletable" File
InformationThis 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.
TipBe very careful when deleting files through command prompt, it's possible you could accidently delete the wrong file.
1. - Open an elevated command prompt
2. - Leave Command prompt open; Open task manager
3. - End process "explorer.exe"
4. - Switch back to command prompt
5A. - FILE - Change to the directory of your file and delete it.
First run this line: cd "PATH OF YOUR FILE"5B. - FOLDER - Delete the folder.
i.e. cd "%USERPROFILE%"\Downloads"
Now run this line: del filename.extension
i.e. del filename.mkv
Enter Command: RD /S /Q [DRIVE:]\PATH\TO\FOLDER6. - Switch back to task manager
i.e
RD /S /Q C:\Users\[username]\Downloads\FOLDERNAME
7. - Restart "explorer.exe"