How to Force Delete a File Windows 10?

Are you having trouble deleting a file on Windows 10? You may have tried deleting it through the Explorer window, but nothing has happened. It can be extremely frustrating when you can’t get rid of a file, but don’t worry! In this article, we will provide you with simple instructions on how to force delete a file in Windows 10. With these steps, you can quickly and easily delete any file on your system, no matter how stubborn it might be. So, let’s get started and learn how to force delete a file on Windows 10!

How to Force Delete Files in Windows 10?

Windows 10 provides users with a wide range of features, and it even allows users to delete files and folders easily and quickly. However, there are times when you may want to delete a file or folder that is not accessible to you. In such cases, you will need to use the ‘Force Delete’ feature in Windows 10 to get rid of the file or folder. Here’s how you can do it.

First of all, you need to open the File Explorer on your Windows 10 computer. You can do this by clicking on the File Explorer icon on your taskbar or by pressing the Windows logo key + E. Once the File Explorer window has opened, you need to locate and select the file or folder that you want to delete.

Once the file or folder is selected, you need to right-click on it and select the ‘Delete’ option from the menu that appears. This will open a confirmation dialog box, where you will be asked to confirm your decision to delete the file or folder. If you are sure that you want to delete the file or folder, click on the ‘Yes’ button.

Using the Command Prompt to Force Delete Files

If the file or folder is still not deleted even after clicking on the ‘Yes’ button, then you will need to use the Command Prompt to force delete it. To do this, you first need to open the Command Prompt window. You can do this by typing ‘cmd’ in the search box and then pressing the Enter key.

Once the Command Prompt window has opened, type the following command and press the Enter key: del /f /a “location of the file or folder”. For example, if the location of the file or folder is C:\Users\John\Documents\myfile.txt, then you need to type the following command: del /f /a “C:\Users\John\Documents\myfile.txt”.

Once you have typed the command and pressed the Enter key, the file or folder will be deleted. If the file or folder is still not deleted, then you can try using the Command Prompt to force delete it. To do this, type the following command and press the Enter key: rd /s /q “location of the file or folder”.

Using the Third-Party Software to Force Delete Files

If the above methods do not work, then you can try using third-party software to force delete files and folders from your computer. There are numerous software programs available on the internet that can help you delete files and folders that are not accessible to you.

One of the most popular software programs for this purpose is Unlocker. Unlocker is a free software program that can help you delete files and folders that are not accessible to you. To use Unlocker, you first need to download and install it on your computer. Once you have installed it, right-click on the file or folder that you want to delete and select the ‘Unlocker’ option from the menu that appears.

Once you have selected the ‘Unlocker’ option, the Unlocker window will open. Here, you will be able to select the ‘Force Delete’ option to delete the file or folder. Once you have selected the ‘Force Delete’ option, the file or folder will be deleted.

Using the Windows PowerShell to Force Delete Files

Another method that you can use to force delete files and folders from your computer is by using the Windows PowerShell. The Windows PowerShell is a command-line tool that can help you delete files and folders that are not accessible to you. To use the Windows PowerShell to delete files and folders, you first need to open the PowerShell window. To do this, type ‘PowerShell’ in the search box and then press the Enter key.

Once the PowerShell window has opened, type the following command and press the Enter key: Remove-Item “location of the file or folder”. For example, if the location of the file or folder is C:\Users\John\Documents\myfile.txt, then you need to type the following command: Remove-Item “C:\Users\John\Documents\myfile.txt”.

Once you have typed the command and pressed the Enter key, the file or folder will be deleted. If the file or folder is still not deleted, then you can try using the PowerShell to force delete it. To do this, type the following command and press the Enter key: Remove-Item -Force “location of the file or folder”.

Using the System File Checker to Force Delete Files

The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that can help you delete files and folders that are not accessible to you. To use the SFC to delete files and folders, you first need to open the Command Prompt window. You can do this by typing ‘cmd’ in the search box and then pressing the Enter key.

Once the Command Prompt window has opened, type the following command and press the Enter key: sfc /scannow. This will scan your computer for any corrupted files and folders and then repair them. Once the scan is complete, type the following command and press the Enter key: del /f /a “location of the file or folder”.

Once you have typed the command and pressed the Enter key, the file or folder will be deleted. If the file or folder is still not deleted, then you can try using the SFC to force delete it. To do this, type the following command and press the Enter key: sfc /scannow /offbootdir=”location of the file or folder”.

Using the Disk Cleanup Tool to Force Delete Files

The Disk Cleanup tool is another useful tool that can help you delete files and folders that are not accessible to you. To use the Disk Cleanup tool, you first need to open the File Explorer on your Windows 10 computer. You can do this by clicking on the File Explorer icon on your taskbar or by pressing the Windows logo key + E.

Once the File Explorer window has opened, you need to locate the file or folder that you want to delete and right-click on it. From the menu that appears, select the ‘Properties’ option. This will open the Properties window for the file or folder. Here, you will find the ‘Disk Cleanup’ button. Click on this button to open the Disk Cleanup window.

In the Disk Cleanup window, you will be able to select the ‘Clean up system files’ option. This will open the System Files Cleanup window. Here, you will be able to select the ‘Delete’ option to delete the file or folder. Once you have selected the ‘Delete’ option, the file or folder will be deleted.

Related Faq

What is a file?

A file is a collection of data stored in a computer memory. It can range from a simple text document to a complex multimedia file. Files are typically organized into folders, which can be located anywhere on the computer.

What is force deleting a file?

Force deleting a file is the process of deleting a file from the computer’s memory even if it is in use by the system or another application. This can be necessary if the file is corrupted or is causing errors, such as preventing the computer from booting up.

How do I force delete a file in Windows 10?

To force delete a file in Windows 10, you can use the Command Prompt. To do this, open the Command Prompt by typing “cmd” into the search box. Then, type “del” followed by the full path to the file you wish to delete. This will force delete the file even if it is in use.

What are the risks of force deleting a file?

The main risk of force deleting a file is that it may cause system instability or even data loss. Force deleting a file can also cause errors or crashes in the system, so it should only be done as a last resort.

What other methods can I use to delete a file?

In addition to using the Command Prompt, you can also delete a file by right-clicking on it and selecting “Delete” from the menu. You can also drag and drop the file into the Recycle Bin, or use the “Delete” command in File Explorer.

Are there any alternatives to force deleting a file?

Yes, there are several alternatives to force deleting a file. For example, you can try using an antivirus program to scan and remove the file, or you can use a third-party file recovery program to restore the file. You can also try renaming the file, or moving it to a different location on your computer.

Force Delete a File That Cannot Be Deleted Windows 10

The process of force deleting a file in Windows 10 is not complicated and can be done with a few simple steps. By using this method, you can quickly delete any unwanted files or folders that are stuck in the Recycle Bin or have been corrupted. With this knowledge, you can confidently manage your files in Windows 10 and ensure that your system runs smoothly.