• Programs for quickly deleting files. How and with what to successfully delete undeletable folders and files

    Deleting files and folders in Windows OS is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. Yes, indeed, in most cases there are no problems with their removal, but very often you can observe situations where the removal of any component is impossible. Now we will look at the basic methods for correcting this situation, as well as some programs for removing unremovable locked folders and files. Such advice, I think, will be useful to many users of modern computer systems.

    Basic problems with deleting files

    Before we describe any program for deleting folders that cannot be deleted or locked files, we will consider the reasons for situations when the operating system itself blocks them, displaying a message that deletion is impossible.

    There can be quite a lot of reasons, as is already clear. This primarily includes the use of attributes that block access to a particular component, the lack of access rights, the use of files and folders by some process in at the moment, the presence of residual files after uninstalling applications that should be deleted only after full reboot systems, already deleted, etc.

    Now we will briefly look at each situation, and then see what “program” is for deleting non-deletable files or folders in each specific case fits best. In addition, options for removing some components using standard methods will be considered. using Windows without using third party software.

    Using Attributes

    Let's start, perhaps, with the file parameters installed in Windows. So, we have a problem, or a file that is not being deleted.

    For frequently used text files And Microsoft documents Office can be used preview so-called attributes. The fact is that some users, when creating their documents, simply want to either limit access to them or avoid attempts to edit them by third-party users. In this case, they simply set the “Read only” attribute in the document properties.

    It is clear that with this approach you can open the file, but you cannot make changes. In some cases, this extends to trying a folder or file that is not deleted, in this case? Everything is simple here. You just need to uncheck the corresponding field, after which the deletion will occur without any problems.

    Closing problematic processes

    No less common is the situation when even a program for deleting folders that are not deleted may not work only because at the moment one or more files located in them are occupied by some process.

    Let's take the simplest case. Let's say we have some folder containing an executable EXE file that is responsible for launching the program. It is clear that if the program is currently running, you will not be able to delete this folder. The system will display a message stating that the file is being used by such and such a process and will require you to close the application and then try again. But this is the simplest case.

    If a file or folder is used by system processes, ending them even in the Task Manager is highly discouraged, as this can lead to the most dire consequences. This will be discussed a little later.

    File permissions

    Another situation where deleting files or folders can be problematic is lack of access rights. The simplest example is the creation of a document with administrator access rights.

    Naturally, another user in his session, if there are local sessions of the administrator and several other users on one computer terminal (or in a network environment), having restrictions on rights, will not be able to remove such components. The solution to the problem is either to obtain the appropriate extended rights or to log in as an administrator.

    Residual files after uninstalling programs

    It also happens that when uninstalling some programs, messages appear stating that some residual files and the folders will be deleted after reboot. The situation here is that they seem to still be in the system (usually the user can see them even in Explorer), but in fact they are missing, or rather placed in another area of ​​the hard drive that is inaccessible to the user. So it turns out that when you try to remove such components immediately, without waiting for a reboot, the system displays a message stating that the removal has already been performed.

    In principle, if it is clearly stated that files or folders need to be deleted in manual mode, but for some reason they are not deleted, you just need to reboot the system and try again.

    Uninstaller program iObit Uninstaller

    In general, to uninstall programs it is better to use powerful utilities such as iObit Uninstaller, which allow you to completely remove not only the program itself, but also the computer garbage left behind, and even registry entries and keys.

    If it concerns residual garbage (most often hidden from the user), such software packages will become a universal solution.

    Using optimizers

    In some cases, you can use advanced optimization programs System Care, CCleaner, etc.

    Such applications can not only optimize the operation of the system, but also remove garbage that can be disposed of standard methods impossible. For example, CCleaner, “tailored” for the Android OS, in combination with Root rights, completely and simply removes “native” applications installed on a smartphone or tablet. The same goes for complete removal some components in the Windows OS, because it is clear that some applications behave quite cunningly, and it is impossible to find them in the components, not to mention their location in the system, when all the components can be scattered throughout hard drive or logical partitions.

    Unlocker program to remove undeletable files

    Now let's look at a universal tool for unlocking files and folders that are supposed to be deleted. Essentially, Unlocker is a “program” for deleting non-deletable files and folders that even have the system attribute.

    Its advantage is that core team access unlocking is built into context menu, for example, "Explorer". To unlock it, just call it by right-clicking on the file and activate the corresponding line, after which you can delete any component with complete peace of mind. What's most interesting is that this application is included in Windows 7. If for some reason the program is missing, you can download it from the Internet. Honestly, you won't regret it.

    The best programs to remove undeletable files

    It is also worth paying attention to some third party utilities, no less interesting and powerful than Unlocker (and maybe even superior to it).

    Let's start with the simplest utilities. File ASSASSIN app is simple program for deleting folders that are not deleted (and files in them), working like Unlocker, embedding your own commands in Windows menu. It works, I must say, no less effectively.

    Another similar utility operates on the same principle. This is iObit Unlocker. As is already clear, it is based on the same principles.

    But perhaps the most powerful and somewhat non-standard utility is a program for deleting folders that cannot be deleted and related files called LockHunter. What's so unusual about it? And the fact that, unlike many similar utilities, it has a two-level removal system, similar to how Windows operates in such cases.

    During normal deletion, the selected (by the way, unlocked along the way) files and folders are placed in the so-called system recycle bin, from which they can either be restored or permanently deleted. This approach avoids the occurrence of a situation with accidental deletion any system components by inexperienced users, which, in turn, can lead to a complete “crash” of the entire system.

    Conclusion

    Of course, the list of programs can be continued indefinitely. But each user will decide for himself what to use as the main tool, since all applications have their own subtleties.

    While working with a computer, users often encounter a situation where one of the files simply does not want to be deleted. When you try to delete a file, the operating system reports an error and the deleted file remains in place. In such a situation, you need a program to delete non-deletable files. In this article we will look at three such programs, and also look at other ways to solve this problem.

    Unlocker is the most popular program to delete files that cannot be deleted. The Unlocker program is distributed completely free of charge, there is a regular and portable version of the program. You can download the program on the official website.

    With Unlocker you can rename, move and delete files and folders that won't be deleted in the usual way.

    The Unlocker program works from the context menu. After installing the program, the “Unlocker” item appears in the context menu. If you encounter a file that cannot be deleted, then you need to right-click on it (to bring up the context menu) and select “Unlocker”.

    After this, the Unlocker program will launch, in which you will see a list of programs that block the uninstall function. Below the list of programs there will be a drop-down menu and a row of buttons.

    From the drop-down menu you can select the action you want to apply to the file. You can rename, move, copy, or delete the file. You can also unlock the file and delete it later in the usual way. To do this, use one of the buttons:

    • Delete process – Unlocker will terminate the program that is blocking file deletion.
    • Unlock – the program will unlock the file by the selected process.
    • Unlock all – the program will unlock the file by all processes.

    As a rule, after deleting a process or unlocking it, you can perform any actions with the file without restrictions.

    IObit Unlocker is another program for removing files that cannot be deleted. Unlike Unlocker, this program is not so famous, but, nevertheless, copes with its task no worse. The IObit Unlocker program is also distributed absolutely free of charge, you can download it from the official website.

    IObit program Unlocker can be used either from the context menu or simply by launching the program. After launching the program, you will see a window into which you need to drag files that you cannot delete.

    After adding a blocked file, the “Unblock” button and a drop-down menu next to it will appear in the program. By clicking on the “Unlock” button you will remove the lock from the file, this will allow you to perform any actions with the file.

    If you want to immediately delete a file or perform another action on it, then you need to open the drop-down menu. From the drop-down menu you can perform the following operations on the file: Unlock and delete, Unlock and rename, Unlock and move, Unlock and copy.

    LockHunter latest program to delete non-deletable files, which we will consider. This program, like the previous two, is distributed free of charge and can be downloaded from the official website.

    As you can see in the screenshot, this program has a rather confusing interface and does not support simple drag and drop of files. Therefore, it is better to launch it from the context menu.

    After opening a locked file, LockHunter displays a list of programs that are blocking the file.

    Below the list of programs there is a row of buttons:

    • Unlock It – The program will unlock the file. After this, you can perform any actions with the file without restrictions.
    • Delete It – The program will delete the locked file.
    • Other – drop-down menu with additional functions.

    If you want to immediately delete a file, then click on the “Delete It” button and the program will quickly solve all your problems.

    Other ways to delete files that cannot be deleted. Before you resort to using programs to remove files that cannot be deleted, you can try to delete the file yourself. Below we will list some tricks that will allow you to delete almost any file without using third party programs. So, if you are faced with the fact that you cannot delete a file, then you need to try the following:

    • Close everything running programs and try again. If the file is used by any program, then most likely it will not be possible to delete it.
    • Stop your antivirus and close it completely. If a file is suspected by an antivirus, the antivirus can block any operations with it.
    • Sign in account administrator and try to delete the file again. In some cases, a file can only be deleted with administrator rights.
    • Restart your computer and try again. It’s not uncommon that after a simple reboot, the file’s lock is removed and it can be deleted without any problems.
    • Disconnect your computer from local network and try to delete the file. If the file is being used by other users on the local network, then it is quite possible that you will not be able to delete it.
    • Boot your computer into safe mode. Safe Mode loads only the most basic components operating system. Therefore, the likelihood of your file being blocked is much lower.

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    PC Magazine

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    User Reviews

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