What makes people learn something new? For some it’s a simple curiosity, for others it’s a kind of incentive, the reason, without understanding which, it is impossible to solve the problem posed by life. The basic principles of operation and features of the Windows operating system are known to every second computer owner. The remaining users are either Linux adherents, or just thinking about buying a home computing system.
It’s all the more surprising to find on the web the question “cannot delete the file”. Perhaps a simpler operation than its removal, and difficult to come up with. Surely, each user at least once, but there was a situation when, due to an overcrowded basket (or when it was turned off), accidentally deleted files were lost. This indicates that you can erase information from the disk in a split second. Where does the question “cannot delete the file” come from, and how to solve it? This is what will be discussed in the article.
The system message “cannot delete the file” usually occurs completely unexpectedly. Usually when there is no time to deal with the situation. The prohibition of deletion can be not only for single files, but also for whole directories. The reasons for blocking are different, so there is no universal way to solve the problem due to which the file cannot be deleted.
Imagine that there is information on the hard drive that needs to be deleted. But any attempts to do this turn out to be a failure. Moreover, both in Windows Explorer and with the help of file managers (Total Commander). Removing undeletable files begins with an attempt to transfer them to an arbitrary directory. If this can be done, then everything is standard - we erase the usual method. The reason for blocking in this case is the restriction of access rights that change during the transfer. It does not always work.
If it doesn’t work, then right-click on the file, then “Properties” and select the “Security” tab. The challenge is to become the owner of access rights. To do this, click the "Advanced" button and follow the "Owner". Here you can see who currently has full rights (usually this lucky administrator). Click “Change” and specify ourselves (username and computer) in the list. Do not forget to activate the checkbox for objects and subcontainers. After applying the changes, the file can be deleted.
These methods, alas, are not always effective. And the second, frankly, is inconvenient, since it requires a number of actions. Fortunately, there is another solution that allows you to force the deletion of files in just one or two mouse clicks. Of course, it is difficult to call it a panacea, since sometimes setting the access rights is more effective. Therefore, it is possible to recommend combining the removal methods (if any one did not work).
So, we are talking about a special utility designed to work in the Windows environment - the Unlocker program. It exists in three versions: for 32-bit and 64-bit systems, as well as in a portable version that does not require installation. Download from the developer's site (author - Cedrick Collomb) and install. In this case, a link to the program will appear in the system menu, which is convenient. Removing a naughty file is very simple: hovering over it, we call up the menu and from there we launch Unlocker. In the window that appears, you can see which process is blocking the file. We indicate its name and press the button "Unlock". The window will close and the file will be unlocked. You can also specify what to do with the file (for example, delete).
If blocking applications are not found, and the file is not deleted, then we prescribe ourselves as the owner (read above). If you get too “tenacious” file, then you should check the system for errors - sometimes the problem is solved by a simple disk check (“Properties” - “Service” - “Check”).