How to delete a file that is open in system. File opened in system

Sometimes when you try to delete a file or folder, you may receive a message that the object is open in another program and cannot be deleted. This is because you cannot delete a file that is currently being used by the program. In order to delete such a file, you first need to find the program that opened the file and close both the file and the program. If several users are working on the computer or the file is located in a public network folder, then you will also have to find and close the user who opened the program that uses this file.

But you can go another way. Being firmly convinced The fact is that the folder or files from it are not used by anyone and can be safely deleted, we will use the Unlocker program. It allows you to find the process using the object and remove the lock.

Unlocker is distributed freely (freeware), you can get it on the official website. There is an installer for x32 and x64 bit systems, as well as a portable version that does not require installation.

When using the portable version, you need to open the program and point it to the blocked object.

The installer makes it possible to embed the program into Explorer, in which case it is enough to open the folder location, right-click on it and select Unlocker in the context menu.

In any case, a window will open indicating the processes that are blocking the folder. You can simply remove the lock, you can delete the blocking process, or you can immediately specify an action - delete, rename, move or copy an object.

It may also be that Unlocker does not find the process that is blocking the deletion. In this case, it still offers a set of standard actions.

If, for some reason, Unlocker cannot immediately delete the object, then it will offer to do this the next time it is loaded.

And here you should be especially careful. By accidentally deleting a file needed by the system, you may no longer boot at all. For the sake of experiment, I tried deleting system folders in Window 7. The Windows folder could not be deleted, but Program Files and Users were deleted with a bang. Naturally, after this the system, although it booted, was practically inoperable. It's good that it was just a virtual machine :).

So, in general, the program is quite useful and convenient, especially the portable version. But you still shouldn’t use it thoughtlessly.

Any computer user has at least once encountered a situation where, when trying to delete a folder (or file), the Windows operating system does not allow this, displaying a message stating that they are open in another program.

It would seem that nothing could be simpler: just close all active applications and the obstacles to deleting an unnecessary folder will be eliminated. But it often happens that even after closing all programs, the operating system still gives out the same annoying message.

There may be many reasons for this, the main ones being the following:

System error;
actual use of the object by another program;
data corruption;
use of a folder or file by the system;
presence of viruses or malicious files.

And deleting unnecessary objects is often simply necessary, since they take up space and sometimes can even significantly slow down the performance of the entire system as a whole. What to do in such cases?

How to delete a folder if it says that it is open in another program

If, after closing all programs and applications, the operating system continues to believe that the folder is occupied by another process, you will have to use more complex actions to delete it. There are several ways to solve the problem:

using the task manager;

using a special utility;

entering safe control mode;

using the console and special commands.

Since the reason why a folder cannot be deleted is not always obvious, you will have to apply these methods sequentially.

Often the best answer to this question is to simply restart the computer. It’s not for nothing that professional programmers have a saying: “seven troubles – one reset.” Often, after restarting, any version of the operating system can easily delete unnecessary objects.

Using Task Manager

If even after a reboot the notorious message continues to appear when trying to uninstall, then most likely some program or application continues to work in “hidden” or “sleep” mode.

In this case, turning to the built-in system task manager can help. It is called by pressing the key combination “Ctrl”, “Alt” and “Delete”. The window that appears will display all running applications and work processes.

By switching between the corresponding tabs, you can stop the operation of a particular program by right-clicking on it.

If it is not known which program is using the folder to be deleted, then the most effective way is to stop all running applications (“cancel task”). Then you should try to remove it again. There are still questions on the topic of how to delete a folder on a computer if the system says that it is open in another program, then read on.

Note! Sometimes problems with deleting unnecessary objects are associated with blocked rights. Sometimes Windows requires the user to have higher hierarchical authority for operations with certain objects. In this case, you must log in as (or with rights) an administrator and the operation to delete the required objects will be successful.

Application of special programs and utilities

If the methods listed above do not have the desired effect, you can use a specialized program. One of the most popular, powerful and effective free utilities of this kind is Unlocker.

Using this uninstaller is quite simple. After downloading and installing the program, when you select an object to be deleted with the right mouse button, the corresponding line appears in the drop-down context menu. All you have to do is click on it, select the “no action” option, click “delete” and confirm by clicking “ok”.

After the manipulations have been performed, complete deletion of the unwanted folder should become available after a reboot.

Other ways to delete folders and files

There are alternative methods for deleting files and folders that require certain knowledge in using a computer, special programs and system files.

Using Safe Mode. The advantage of this method is that in safe mode, Windows does not load system dialog libraries. This is important in cases where the system is infected with a virus. To log in, you must press the F8 key several times when you turn on the computer. Then you need to select “safe mode”. A black screen should appear, without wallpaper or other embellishments. Now you can try to delete the unnecessary folder in the usual way. After which you need to reboot the system.
System rollback. When you click “Start” - “Run”, a command line appears, into which you need to enter the command “msconfig” and click “ok”. The “System Configuration” window will appear on the monitor. In the “General” tab, you need to select “Run System Restore”, then “Restore the computer to an earlier state”, then “Next”. On the calendar that appears, you need to select a date on which the folder to be deleted did not yet exist. This operation may lead to the loss of some information, but personal and system information will not be affected.
You can try typing chkdsk c:/f/r in the command line and pressing Enter. Here "c" is the drive name. If the non-deletable folder is on another drive, then you need to enter its name. After the disk scan is completed, its results will be displayed on the monitor. Next, enter the command exit and press the Enter key. After the system reboots, you can try to delete the folder in the usual way.

Thus, you can solve the problem of the inability to delete a folder or file when the Windows operating system (latest versions, starting with XP) writes that they are occupied by another program using various methods. Try to perform the operations listed above in order. Most likely, one of the methods will achieve the desired effect!

On Windows of any version (XP, 7, 8, 10), a problem often arises when a file or folder with a locked file is not deleted. A message pops up that the file is occupied by another process or is open in some program, or you need to ask permission from someone.

There are several ways to delete a file that is not deleted, renamed, or moved. This is done without additional software, using the free Unlocker program, from a bootable flash drive or LiveCD, or the DeadLock program.

When deleting locked files and folders, be careful; it may be part of the operating system. Without them, Windows will stop loading.

Why isn't it deleted?

The file is open in another program. Terminate any unnecessary processes and try again. Sometimes restarting the computer helps.
Insufficient permissions to delete. For example, this file was created by another user or the computer administrator removed the deletion rights.

Exceptions

The methods described in the article will not always help:

pagefile.sys and swapfile.sys - to remove, disable the swap file.
hiberfil.sys - deleted when hibernation mode is disabled.
If an access denied message appears. You need to become the owner of the file or folder. The easiest way to do this is with the TakeOwnershipPro program.
If a message appears asking for permission from TrustedInstaller. This is protection against the removal of system components.
Windows.old - a folder with an old version of the operating system. It is deleted through the “Properties” of the local drive C. On the General tab there is a “Cleanup” button. A window will open in which select “Clean up system files.” Once the analysis is complete, the “Previous Windows installations” item will appear in the list in this window. Check this box and click OK.

Deleting the file manually

Message: The file is already in use, please close and try again.

If a file doesn't want to be deleted, the error message usually tells you which process has locked it. This could be explorer.exe or any program that has it open. If you close this program, the file will be deleted.

If the file is occupied by the explorer.exe process

Before completing the task, open Command Prompt as an administrator. It is located in “Start - All Programs - Accessories”. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
Remove the explorer.exe task in the task manager and write del full_path/name.extension in the command line.
The path does not have to be entered manually. Right-click on the desired file while holding Shift - Copy as path, and paste it into the command line through the right-click context menu.
Now restart explorer.exe. In the task manager, click "File - New task - explorer.exe".

Use a bootable USB flash drive or disk

If you have a bootable USB flash drive or LiveCD, or a Windows recovery disk, run them and calmly delete the file using the standard method or through the command line.

Be careful, sometimes when logging in through the boot disk, the local drives have different letters. To see a list of folders on drive C, type dir c: on the command line.

If you use a bootable USB flash drive or Windows installation disk, the console opens at any time after the language selection stage, using the key combination Shift + F10.

You can also select the system recovery mode, which will be offered before starting the OS installation.

Command for deleting via the console: del full_path_to_the_file.

Using DeadLock

The free DeadLock program allows you to delete a locked file and change the owner. Download from the official website: https://codedead.com/?page_id=822.

Using the File menu, add the problematic file to the program. Right-click on it in the list - unlock it (Unlock) and delete it (Remove).

Using Unlocker

The simplest and most popular program, but now even on the official website a warning about unwanted software is displayed. Along with the program there may be some other virus or advertising, so use at your own peril and risk. Try the methods above first. Website: http://www.emptyloop.com/unlocker/.

After installation, a new item will appear in the context menu, which is called Unlocker. After clicking the button, the program will complete the interfering process and the file will be unlocked.

If you want to delete a folder, first delete all its contents.

Via command line

There was such a case that the file did not want to be deleted in any way. The size was 0 bytes, the name was written in Russian letters (not supported in older versions of MS-DOS), there was a Read-only attribute and an A attribute (only reading and adding content). The command line helped.

That's all for now. If you know simpler and more effective ways, write them in the comments. Which method helped you?

Category ~ What to do (errors and problems) – Igor (Administrator)

As part of this note, I will tell you how to delete a file if it is open in another program, using different methods.

How annoying it is when you try to delete a file, and the Windows operating system reports that it cannot be done because one of the hundreds of programs is using it. The most unpleasant thing is that you won’t find any mention of what kind of program it is and what it’s called. Therefore, sometimes you have to guess on the coffee grounds. This poses a particular problem for novice users.

So, first of all, let's look at the simplest methods that even the greenest reader can use, and then more complex ones.

How to delete a file opened in another program - simple methods

In this section, we will consider the simplest and most accessible methods of how to delete a file opened in another program. Let's start with the obvious.

1. Close all programs. Sometimes it happens that, for example, you have opened a document in an office suite (Word, OpenOffice) and are trying to delete it. Usually, this happens in a hurry or when a dozen programs are running.

2. Restart your computer. I'm not kidding. Firstly, the fact is that when the computer restarts, all running programs are closed. This is especially useful for beginners, since the concept of background programs may be too complex for them. Secondly, sometimes there are glitches in the Windows operating system due to which some processes do not close completely and thereby leave files open. Rebooting can fix this problem.

4. Check your computer with an antivirus. Such an action is, in principle, useful. However, it happens that access to some files is blocked not by ordinary programs or system failures, but by viruses. Therefore it is also worth doing.

There are various specific methods, but they are difficult to recommend even for experienced users. In addition, the ones listed above are usually more than enough.

How to delete a file opened in another program using Unlocker

Now, let's look at how to use the Unlocker program from the review of programs to delete undeletable files. The algorithm is very simple.

1. Install the program.

2. Open Windows Explorer.

3. Right-click on the file and select "Unlocker" from the menu that appears.

4.1. If a window appears with the message “Blocking descriptor not found,” you must select “Delete” from the drop-down list and click “OK.”

4.2. If a window appears where programs are listed at the top, then either you close the specified programs yourself and delete the file, or in this window you first select “Delete” and then click the “Unblock all” button.

5. The file has been deleted.

It is worth noting that this program should only be used by experienced people. Otherwise, unknowingly, you can delete system or important files.

Now, you always have at hand a lot of methods on how to delete a file that was opened in another program.

If you see the system message “The file cannot be deleted because it is open in another program,” don’t worry.

Everything is possible. I will give several options on how to delete files in such situations. First of all, pay attention to the following.

In 90% of such cases, the file you are about to delete is actually open to another program and just needs to be closed.

Sometimes it's a system error. You closed everything, but in her opinion, no. Then just restart your PC and try again.

How to find a file that is open in another program

If you know the name of the file, then finding it in the program (where it is open) is not difficult. First of all, look at the taskbar and tray.

If the application in which your file is open is not detected, press three keys “Ctrl+Shift+Esc” at the same time (it will start).

A window will open where you can see/close applications and processes, and then calmly delete what was previously impossible.

Uninstaller for deleting files opened in other programs

If the above options for deleting files that are open in other programs do not bring a positive result, use a free uninstaller created specifically for such purposes - “”

After installation (you can download it from the official website: emptyloop.com/unlocker/#download), click on the application you want to delete with the right touchpad / mouse button.

After this, a tab will open in which there will be a line “Unlocker” - click.

Wait a few seconds. A small window will pop up. In it, click on the “no action” option, select “delete” and click “OK”.

Usually in such cases you receive a notification that complete removal will be carried out the next time you start the computer.

This is, of course, not the only program, but of the free analogues it is the toughest - it destroys everything irrevocably.

Therefore, before using its services, be sure to ask whether this will damage your computer system - subsequently, you may not be able to restore everything as it was before. Good luck - don't overdo it.

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