Windows cannot delete file being used

This guide helps you deal with stubborn files and delete them. Please help! If folder in use cannot delete, you can manually end running process or application that holds the file you cannot delete in Task Manager. If that works, you can delete a file that is in use without rebooting system.

Windows requires all folders with visual media have a database of thumbnails to provide thumbnail images for files. If you open the folder to view content in it, Windows will loads the thumbs. Eassos free recovery software can help retrieve deleted and lost data from emptied Recycle Bin or USB disks. The recovery process is easy and simple.

Step 2: Select partition where deleted files were stored and click Next button to search for lost data. Step 3: View and preview files. Do not enter into the folder. From the advanced context menu that appears, click the Open command window here or press the W key on the keyboard.

After the elevated command window opens up, you must use the DOS commands like CD and DIR to locate the directory where the file you want to delete is placed and to check the presence of the file respectively. Note: In the above command, the file name must be replaced by the name of the file along with its extension that you want to delete. Use the DEL command with caution. Once the file is deleted, you can close Command Prompt by clicking the Close button from the top-right corner of the window or by typing EXIT in the command window and pressing Enter.

Even though you can use any of the two methods described above to remove a file that is in use, a third-party tool such as Unlocker makes your task extremely simple.

The best part is that Unlocker is a freeware and is free to download and use. This is how Unlocker works:. Open any web browser of your choice and open your preferred search engine. Google, Yahoo! Simply, right-click on the Process that you want to stop and click on End Task. If you are unable to delete File or Folder in Windows 10 due to lack of permissions, you can follow the steps below to change the permission levels for the concerned File or Folder. On the Properties screen, click on the Security tab and then click on Advanced.

Click on OK to save changes and exit the Permissions screen. As read-only, the file or folder is essentially write-protected, meaning it cannot be edited or deleted. If the Read-only option isn't checked, or the option is checked but cannot be unchecked, it's likely you're not the owner of the file or folder. If another person is the owner, that person must delete the file or folder, or they grant you permission. Tip Try waiting a few moments and then deleting the file again.