How to delete “stubborn” files/folders

[kappa84]

• Most of the time Log off or Restart should be enough, after that you can delete it easily.

• Delete it from Command Prompt:

- Start -> Run; write cmd and then press ENTER
- Close explorer.exe with the following command: taskkill /F /IM explorer.exe
- Delete the file/folder using the commands given in the below example:

Example:
Create a New Folder in C:\Program Files and in this folder create a New text document.txt.
To delete the .txt document we use the command: DEL "%ProgramFiles%\New Folder\New text document.txt"
To delete the folder use the command: RD "%ProgramFiles%\New Folder"
DEL – Delete ….
RD – Remove Directory
“” – Inverted commas are necessarily every time the path or the file/folder contains space in it’s name

• Safe Mode is a diagnosis way with a minimum configuration and generic drivers. To enter Safe Mode restart your computer and before Windows’ logo appears push F8, then choose Safe Mode. Here delete the file/folder.

• Unlocker is a very easy to use program, you can download it from here: http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Unlocker.shtml

• Use a LIVE CD like LinuxDefender Live! CD, SystemRescueCd or Knoppix

If after all those methods you didn’t succed to delete the unwanted file/folder, maybe it’s a problem with “file’s corruption”.
Files can corrupt because of:
- bad sectors on your hard-drive
- lost clusters
- a bad functionality of your antivirus
- malware
- forced system shutdown

Usual repair technique:

- run Check Disk from Command Prompt
Chkdsk C:/
( replace C: with the letter for your problematic partition)

Hope this little tutorial will help you, I just hate when I have stubborn files on my computer.And that happens really often. :boiling:

 

[smeagain]

I use a little utility called "Killbox" which sorts stubborn files out.

 

[kappa84]

Hmm, never heard about it until now, I'll try that tool too, thanks.

 

[smeagain]

Yes, just Google it.