How to force delete a file or a folder on Windows
By Renee | 10/Nov/2024
The most common and easiest way to stop your Windows computer from slowing down over time is to manage files and programs properly, namely, not to keep everything you downloaded, especially when you have a “senior” computer. When uninstalling unnecessary programs and deleting useless files, you might come across the “Item Not Found” error, or “In Use” warning. A single file or folder seems no big deal, but a few of them could actually start to slow down your computer.
How do I force delete the files or folders that insist staying on? Here’re the answers and all the methods should work for any other versions of Windows.
Note: If you hate to do all the typing and thinking, it is recommended to use a tool like Neptune SystemCare Ultimate System Cleaner to help to erase all the problematical files and folders in one click.
Go to Task Manager to force end the task
Task Manager monitors running apps and services on your computer, and you can also use it to end services that might be stopping you from deleting certain files.
1. If you can recognize the type of file (say a Word document), find related process in the Task Manager window.
2. Right-click on it and choose End task.
Use cmd to force delete folders
1. Open Command Prompt in Administrator mode by right-clicking on the start button and choose the option. If you are using Windows 8, the option would be Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Now go to the file or folder that tries to stay on your computer and right-click on it, choose Properties.
3. In the Properties window, copy the file Location.
4. After that, go to Command Prompt window, type “cd” followed by a space, paste the path that you just copied, like:
C:\WINDOWS\system32 cd C :\Users\ivy.li\Desktop\R and then hit Enter.
This will change the current directory to that of the file/folder.
5. Once the directory gets changed, type “dir /x” in the same window and hit Enter.
6. Go to find the directory name of the file/folder that you want to delete.
7. Type “del /s /q” followed by the directory name of the file you want to delete, and if it is a folder, type “rmdir /s /q” followed by the directory name.
8. Then, restart your computer to see if your computer is running faster and if the file/folder is gone.
Use Neptune SystemCare Ultimate to remove the undeletable file
Neptune SystemCare Ultimate is an all-in-one PC utility to help you clean and optimize Windows system, getting you a faster computer. Here’re the steps to help you delete the files you were wanting to remove.
1. Run Neptune SystemCare Ultimate.
2. Click on Checkup on PC Checkup tab and fix.
3. Go to System Cleaner > Advanced Cleaner. Wait a few seconds, the scanner would check out the junk files and you could find the file or folder on the list. Just one click on the Clean. Done.