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How to Delete Locked Files & Folders on Windows 10
Learn to get rid of unwanted files from your device
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
For a Windows user, it’s possible that at one time or the other, there might be a situation in which the computer’s disk space gets crowded.
There might be attempts by the user to get rid of unneededfileswithout success.
When trying to delete an unneeded item, an annoying dialog box pops up, indicating that the action is not permitted as a result of a locked file.
The inability to delete a file or folder may either be because it’s locked (encrypted with a security code or password) or becausethe file is open in a program.
Sometimes, it may be a background program that is preventing the file from being deleted. To completely get rid of the locked files/folders, follow the procedures listed below.
How can I remove locked files and folders?
1. Use specialized file eraser software
If you’re unable to delete user folders in Windows 10 using conventional methods, you might want to try a different, more professional approach.
Using dedicated file erasure software such as Stellar BitRaser comes with many advantages one of which is permanently erasing files that are beyond the scope of data recovery.
By securely erasing confidential data from all devices (running on Windows and Mac as well), servers, and partitions, this privacy safeguarding software meets all your media sanitization requirements.
You can schedule the erasure of files, folders, and traces to occur once, daily, weekly, monthly, or at system boot. You may also examine planned jobs and data such as status, state, algorithm, mode, frequency, and more. You can also add files to a “ignore list” to prevent them from being erased, and keep them secured.
Using it is as simple as a breeze too: all you need to do is download the.EXE file, install the tool, select the items you want to erase, and Delete.
⇒Get Stellar BitRaser
2. Delete the locked file from Command Prompt
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Right-click on the locked folder or file that you want to remove from your PC and selectProperties.
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Navigate to theDetailstab.
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Scroll down to theFolder pathsection and copy the path written there.
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Press theWindowskey to open the Windows search box. Alternatively, you can open it by clicking on theStartbutton on your taskbar.
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Typecmdin the search box and right-click on the first result, then selectRun as Administrator.
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Now you need to navigate to the folder path using Command Prompt. To do that, you need to input the following command, but replacefolderpathwith the actual path that you previously copied:cd folderpath
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PressEnterto run the command.
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Type the following command,where filename represents the name of the locked file to be deleted:del /f /s
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PressEnterand the file will be gone.
A locked file or folder can be easily deleted from your Windows 10 PC using commands in a command-line tool such as Command Prompt.
With Command prompt, you can navigate to the file path of the specific file and perform an automatic removal.
Some locked files may not be this easy to remove. This might prompt going the extra mile by trying out the Windows Recovery method described below. Alternatively, you can download software to fix this.
3. Use Windows Recovery to delete locked folders
Windows Recovery is another method by which locked files can easily be deleted. Refer to the above procedure in that regard.
4. Use dedicated software to manage your locked files
There are a number of software tools that can be downloaded and used to manage locked files from the PC. Here are a few options:
This is a handy software that can unlock and manage files and folders to keep them safe and available. What’s more, IOBit Unlocker is incredibly easy to use.
All you need to do is to drag and drop the locked file or folder into the software’s interface and choose the delete option (or unlock, rename, move, copy, and so on, according to your specific needs).
It also provides details about the location of the file and directory alongside the details of the process, so you’ll easily use it even if you’re not a pro.
⇒Get IOBit Unlocker
A renowned software called Process Explorer comes in a similar format to the Windows Task Manager.
It’s easy to use and doesn’t require installation, all that is needed is to run it and allow administrator permission, then follow these steps.
This comes in as very helpful software. LockHunter also helps in identifying the particular program that is keeping the file locked.
Going forward, the processes can be stopped in an expedited manner before the file gets deleted.
Lockhunter doesn’t permanently remove the file. However, it sends the file to the recycle bin allowing the user the chance of restoring the file if need be.
⇒Get LockHunter
This is an easy-to-use software tool and its line of action is similar to 10bitunlocker. It is useful in deleting locked files, especially those that are inaccessible due to a virus or other malware.
⇒Get FileASSASSIN
Depending on which of these options are a point of interest, deleting a locked file should not pose a problem anymore.
What software are you using to deal with locked folders in Windows 10? Share your experience with us via the comments section below.
More about the topics:file encryption,Windows 10 Guides
Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.
