What to do if I can not delete the file

What makes people comprehend something new? For some, this is a simple curiosity, for others - a kind of stimulus, the reason, not having understood it, it is impossible to solve the task posed by life. The basic principles of operation and features of the Windows operating system are known to every second computer owner. Other users are either Linux devotees, or just thinking about buying a home computing system.

It's even more surprising to meet the question "can not delete the file" on the web. Perhaps, it's hard to come up with a simpler operation than removing it. For sure, every user at least once, but there was a situation where due to the crowded basket (or when it was turned off), randomly erased files were lost. This indicates that you can erase the information from the disk in a split second. Whence comes the question "can not delete the file" and how to solve it? This is what this article will discuss.

The system message "can not delete a file", as a rule, occurs quite unexpectedly. Usually when there is no time to deal with the situation. The deletion prohibition can be not only for single files, but also for entire directories. The reasons for the locking are different, so there is no universal way to solve the problem, because of which you can not delete the file.

Imagine that the hard disk has information that needs to be deleted. But any attempts to do this turn out to be a failure. And as in the conductor, and with the help of file managers (Total Commander). Deleting undelete 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 to restrict access rights that change during migration. It does not always work.

If it does not work, then right-click on the file, then "Properties" and select the "Security" tab. The task is to become the owner of access rights. To do this, click the "Advanced" button and follow the "Owner". Here you can see who at the moment has full rights (usually this lucky one is the administrator). Press "Change" and in the list we specify ourselves (username and computer). Do not forget to activate the checkbox for objects and subcontainers. After applying the changes, the file can be deleted.

Alas, these methods are not always effective. And the second, frankly speaking, is uncomfortable, since it requires a number of actions. Fortunately, there is another solution that allows you to perform forced deletion of files in just one or two mouse clicks. Of course, it is difficult to call it a panacea, since sometimes the access rights are more effective. Therefore, you can recommend combining the methods of removal (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- and 64-bit systems, as well as in a portable (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 appears in the system menu, which is convenient. To remove a naughty file is very simple: by hovering the cursor over it, we call the menu and from there run Unlocker. In the window that appears, you can see which process is blocking the file. Specify its name and click the "Unblock" button. The window closes and the file is 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 register ourselves with the owner (read above). If you find a too "persistent" file, you should check the system for errors - sometimes the problem is solved by a simple disk check ("Properties" - "Service" - "Check").