How to delete a file that is not removed

How do I delete a file in Windows

If the computer reports that the file is opened in another program

Most often, the inability to delete a file in Windows is the fact that he is engaged in some kind of a system process. In this case, there is an inscription "Action can not be executed because the file is open"The name of the program».

In this case, you need to close the program that uses the file, and try deleting again. If you see her window, just close it. If the program runs in the background and you do not know how to close it, start the "Task Manager» (Ctrl + Alt + Del), locate the program by name in the list, click on the right mouse button and select "Remove problem. "

If you can not find the program in the "Task Manager", try a third-party utility that unlocks the file. Suitable free app LockHunter. After installing it, right-click on the file and select What is locking this file?. When will LockHunter box, click on the button in it Unlock It !.

Then try to delete the file again. If that fails, restart your computer and try again. For a complete removal from the computer do not forget to empty the trash.

If the computer reports that you denied access

Sometimes it is impossible to delete a file because there is no right to this action in your account. In such cases, Windows reports that access is denied. To solve this problem, you need to change the file owner. In the process you may need a username and password from the account PC administrator account.

To change the permissions, click on the file, right-click and go to "Properties» → «security» → «Advanced». Near point "Owner", click "Edit" and then "Advanced" and "Search". In the list of the current user account and click OK.

Then you will likely be able to delete a file in the usual way. If does not work, try restarting your computer and try again.

How do I delete a file in macOS

If Mac reports that the file is used

To start manually close the applications that you use this file, and try again to erase it. They may interfere with the removal, as it does in Windows. If that fails, restart your computer and try the deletion.

If does not work, log into safe mode. To do this, restart the Mac, hold down the Shift key. Try to move the file to the trash and clean it, and then restart the computer in normal mode.

If the file can not be removed for other reasons

The file can not be removed due to errors on the disc. Therefore, run the "Disk Utility" section in the Finder → "Program» → «Utility" and check it the drive where the file is located, the service "first aid".

After checking, restart the Mac and try to delete the file.

See also:

• Delete and restore deleted files from USB-drive or an external SSD-drive →
• 7 best tools for recovering deleted data →
• How to recover data from Android-device →