How do you delete the action Cannot be completed because the file is open in another program?

The action can’t be completed because the file is open error is one of the most common errors Windows users may encounter when trying to delete a file. The easiest way to fix this error is to empty the Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin is a temporary storage location for files that have been deleted.

Why is it not letting me delete a folder?

Some files/folders cannot be deleted by you as a user because another user is marked as owner. As administrator you can set yourself as the owner which is called “taking ownership” in IT-lingo. To do this, start by right-clicking on the file or folder and selecting “Properties”.

How do you force delete a folder that is being used?

Method 2: Boot in Windows Safe Mode

To use this method, first, boot your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC in safe mode using our guide. Once you’re in safe mode, launch File Explorer and locate the folder to delete. Then, right-click this folder and choose “Delete.” Your folder is now deleted.

How do you force delete a file even if it is open?

In the command window, type the DEL /F file name command and press Enter to force delete the file that is in use.

How do I delete a file that says it is open in another command prompt?

In the Windows search bar, type in “Run” and open the app. Type “ cmd ” in the text field and press the “OK” button. After opening the Command panel, type in: “ del / f (insert file name you want to delete)

How do you force delete a folder that won’t delete?

Use Shift + Delete to Force Delete File/Folder. You can select the target file or folder and press Shift + Delete keyboard shortcut to delete the file/folder permanently.

How do I delete an Undeletable folder?

Solution 1. Close the Folder or File and Try Again

1. Press “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” simultaneously and choose “Task Manager” to open it.
2. Find the application where your data is in use. Select it and click “End task”.
3. Try to delete the undeletable information once again.

How do I delete a corrupted folder in Windows 10?

Find the corrupted file or folder either on the desktop or in your File Explorer. Then, press the Delete or Shift+Delete keys to delete it.

How do I get rid of stubborn folder?

Right-click a stubborn file to erase in File Explorer and select Show more options (for viewing the classic context menu). Select the Force Delete option there to erase the file. Alternatively, you can select an Unlock by ForceDelete option to unlock a locked file in use.

How can I delete files that won’t delete without permission?

How to delete files that won’t delete

1. Close apps. Often, the problem of a file that can’t be deleted can be caused by an app that is currently using the file.
2. Close Windows Explorer (File Explorer) That’s the easy one out of the way.
3. Reboot Windows.
4. Use Safe Mode.
5. Use a software deletion app.
6. Bonus tip.

How do I delete a file that is open with?

To remove a particular program from the open with list for that file type, right-click on it, and select delete. Repeat this step for all programs to be removed from the open with list for this file type. Repeat steps 12 through 15 for each file type that has programs that need to be removed from its open with list.

How do I find out what program is using a file?

Identify what program is using a file

1. Open Process Explorer. Running as administrator.
2. On the toolbar, find the gunsight icon on the right.
3. Drag the icon and drop it on the open file or folder that is locked.
4. The executable that is using the file will be highlighted in the Process Explorer main display list.

How do you fix another program is currently using this file?

Close Programs Running in the Background

Then click on the Processes tab. Right-click on the program that’s using that file and select End Task to close it. If the error message does not indicate which program uses that file, close all the programs you don’t need. Check if the error is gone.

How do I fix this file is in use by another application?

Saving the problematic file in a different format may solve the issue.

1. At first, open the problematic file.
2. Then, click on “File” on the menu-bar.
3. After that, click on “Save as” to save the file.
4. Now, in the Save as a window, click on the drop-down beside ‘Save as type:’.
5. Then, select the file type as “PDF“.

Why do I have 2 program file folders?

If you’re running a 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows, there are two separate folders where your Program Files are kept: Program Files, which contains 64-bit programs and applications, and. Program Files (x86), which contains 32-bit programs and applications.

How do I force delete a folder in Command Prompt?

How to Force Delete a Folder Through Command Prompt

1. Open Command Prompt > Run as administrator.
2. Use the /s flag with rmdir to force delete the folder along with subfolders and files in it. For example, if you want to remove a folder called “Test Folder”, enter rmdir /s test folder.

How do I force delete a file in CMD?

The easiest way to force delete a file in Windows is by deleting it using the del /f command in the Command Prompt with administrator privileges.

How to delete a folder that requires administrator permission?

How to Fix You Need Administrator Permission to Delete a Folder/File?

1. Take ownership of the file or the folder.
2. Disable User Account Control.
3. Activate the built-in Administrator account.
4. Use SFC.
5. Use Safe Mode.

How do I delete a folder in Windows 10 Access Denied?

To work around this issue, use either of the following methods:

1. When you delete the files or folders by using Windows Explorer, use the SHIFT+DELETE key combination. This bypasses the Recycle Bin.
2. Open a command prompt window and then use the rd /s /q command to delete the files or folders.

How do I force a user to delete a folder in Windows 10?

This is how it’s done:

1. Type This PC into the Search bar on your desktop and open it.
2. Now, double-click on Local Disk (C:).
3. Proceed to the Users folder.
4. Find the user profile that you want to delete and right-click on it.
5. Select Delete from the drop-down menu.

How do I delete Undeletable apps?

How to Uninstall Apps on Android that Won’t Uninstall

Can Ctrl Z delete a folder?

It’s faster than clicking the Edit > Undo feature! If you accidentally delete a file in Windows Explorer or File Explorer, pressing Ctrl+Z can recover the deleted files instantly without having to open the Recycle Bin.

How do I force a corrupted program to uninstall?

Press down the CTRL + SHIFT + ESC keys together to open the Task Manager. It should already be on the processes tab. Select the Program or App that you want to uninstall from the list under processes. Now try running the uninstall on the Program/App again.

How do I force a corrupted file to delete in Windows?

How to Force Delete Corrupted Folder Windows 10

How does a folder get corrupted?

File corruption usually happens when there is an issue during the ‘save’ process. If your computer crashes the file being saved will likely be corrupted. Another cause might be damaged sections of your hard drive or storage media that might have viruses and malware.

How do you fix this action Cannot be completed because the other program is busy?

How do I resolve this error?

• Restart the computer to free up any locked processes.
• Close any programs you are not currently using.
• Configure installed programs to update when you’re not actively using your computer.
• Close all unused background processes.

How do you force delete a file that won’t delete?

Use Shift + Delete to Force Delete File/Folder. You can select the target file or folder and press Shift + Delete keyboard shortcut to delete the file/folder permanently. This file deletion method won’t pass the Recycle Bin.

How do you bypass operation did not complete successfully because the file contains a virus?

Temporarily Disable Windows Defender. If you believe that the file you downloaded is genuine, you can bypass the “Operation did not complete successfully because the file contains a virus” warning. To do this, you’ll have to temporarily disable Windows Defender, and open the file while it’s turned off.

How do you delete a file that won’t let you delete it?

How to delete files that won’t delete

1. Close apps.
2. Close Windows Explorer (File Explorer)
3. Reboot Windows.
4. Use Safe Mode.
5. Use a software deletion app.