Completely delete the most stubborn files on Windows

When you can't open, edit, or delete a file in Windows File Explorer, it's either still open in a program running in the background or something isn't closing properly. Luckily, you can force the file to be deleted, closed, or edited with a few simple tricks.

Table of Contents

1. Close the program you opened the file with.

Let's start with the obvious. Did you open a file and not close it? If the file closed but the program is still running, close the application and try again.

Completely delete the most stubborn files on Windows
Windows 10 file in use notification when trying to delete open PDF.

You should also check the system tray to make sure the file isn't just minimized there.

2. End the application via Task Manager

Task Manager can help manually end the process or application holding your file hostage. This is one of the most promising methods to fix the "File is open in another program" error, since you may not always realize that the file is not closing properly.

Press Ctrl + Shift + ESC on your keyboard to open Task Manager . Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Alt + Del to get to the menu or right-click on the Taskbar and select Task Manager . If you are using Windows 11, right-clicking on the Taskbar will not work.

If you see the compact version of Task Manager, click More details in the lower left corner and make sure you're on the Processes tab .

Browse for the application you used to open the “file in use”. For example, if you were viewing a document, search for Microsoft Word .

Completely delete the most stubborn files on Windows
End tasks in Windows 10 Task Manager.

Once you find the process, select it and click End task in the lower right corner. This will close all instances of the program.

3. Change File Explorer process settings

By default, File Explorer launches all of its windows in a single process (explorer.exe). However, it's possible that your settings force File Explorer to launch separate processes, which can cause conflicts between different processes.

Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer . In Windows 10, go to View > Options > Change folder and search options .

Completely delete the most stubborn files on Windows
Change folder and search options in Windows File Explorer.

In Windows 11, click the See more icon with three dots next to View , then select Options.

Completely delete the most stubborn files on Windows

In the Folder Options window , switch to the View tab and look for the Launch folder windows in a separate process option . Make sure this option is not selected. Click Apply to save any changes.

Completely delete the most stubborn files on Windows
Windows Folder Options Menu

If this option is not selected initially, you should check if this solves your problem.

4. Disable File Explorer Preview Pane

Previews in File Explorer can also cause conflicts, such as the "File is open in another program" error.

In Windows 10, press Windows key + E , switch to the View tab , and press Alt + P to close the preview pane.

In Windows 11, open File Explorer ( Windows key + E ), then go to View > Show and if you see a check mark next to the Preview pane, click it to close the preview.

The screenshot below shows an open preview pane on the right.

Completely delete the most stubborn files on Windows
Close the Windows File Explorer preview pane.

After closing the preview pane, try the operation again and see if the "file in use" error is gone.

5. Force delete file via Command Prompt

You can bypass File Explorer and force delete the file using Command Prompt .

First, we need to track down the file path folder in File Explorer. Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer, locate the affected file, and copy the file path from the address bar at the top of the window.

Completely delete the most stubborn files on Windows
Find file path in Windows File Explorer.

Now, right-click on the Windows Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (admin) . To navigate to the file folder of the file in use, type cd [the folder path you copied] and press Enter.

Completely delete the most stubborn files on Windows
Navigate to the file path in Windows Command Prompt.

Before we can force-delete files in use, however, we need to temporarily kill the File Explorer process. This will cause your Taskbar, wallpaper, and open folders to disappear. But don’t worry, you can easily restart File Explorer and get everything back later.

  • To close File Explorer, press Ctrl + Shift + ESC to open Task Manager.
  • Find Windows Explorer in the list and right-click the process. Select End task .
  • Return to the Command Prompt window where you entered the previous command.
  • Enter the command below to delete the file, replacing everything between the quotes with the actual file name:
del "file name"

Now, to restart File Manager, all you need to do is open Task Manager ( Ctrl + Shift + ESC ). Then, click File > Run new task , type explorer.exe and click OK. This will restore your desktop to its normal appearance.

6. Unlock the file in use with the tool

If trying to delete the file manually doesn't work or you're not comfortable using the Command Prompt , you can always use Microsoft's Process Explorer.

This is a more powerful version of Task Manager that can show you which processes have taken up your files.

Open Process Explorer's Search window by clicking Find > Find Handle or DLL (or pressing Ctrl + Shift + F ), enter the file name, and wait for a list of processes accessing your file.

Completely delete the most stubborn files on Windows
Process Explorer Search

You can't close a process from the Search window, but you can use Process Explorer or Windows Task Manager to close the offending application. There are also alternatives, such as Unlocker  and LockHunter , that can help you identify pesky processes.

7. Boot into Safe Mode

Sometimes, the file you're trying to delete might be loaded automatically by another app. Apps like Unlocker might still work in that case. However, if there's malware involved or you don't want to deal with third-party tools, booting into Safe Mode  is your next best option.

In Windows 10 or 11, press the Win key on your keyboard and click the power icon. Hold down the Shift key and select the Restart option . Your PC will boot into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) page.

From the next screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart . When your computer restarts, you will see the Startup Settings screen. Select Safe Mode and wait for Windows to start.

Completely delete the most stubborn files on Windows
The Windows Recovery Environment page has a Startup Settings option.

While you are in Safe Mode, navigate to the file in question and try to access or delete it.

Now, the next time Windows tells you a file is in use, you’ll know how to free it up or force your PC to delete it. If you’re not comfortable with third-party tools, you can always use the Command Prompt or boot into Safe Mode to help clear up any issues with the file in question.

Good luck!

See more articles below:

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

Instructions to fix the error “not recognized as an internal or external command” when using CMD in Windows

Instructions to fix the error “not recognized as an internal or external command” when using CMD in Windows

One day, you turn on your computer, go to CMD and get the error is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. What should you do?

Fix Copy Paste command not working on Word, Excel (2007, 2010)

Fix Copy Paste command not working on Word, Excel (2007, 2010)

There are many reasons why the Copy Paste command does not work on a Windows computer, such as your computer is attacked by a virus, the clipboard does not work, and therefore the copy command (Ctrl + C) and the paste command (Ctrl + V) do not work. So how to fix this error, please refer to the article below of WebTech360.

Fix function keys not working in Windows 10

Fix function keys not working in Windows 10

The Fn function keys give you a quicker and easier way to control some hardware features.

How to remove yellow triangle warning on Windows C drive

How to remove yellow triangle warning on Windows C drive

This out-of-place indicator usually means that BitLocker encryption has been disabled, an update requires a reboot, or a firmware upgrade is pending.

Instructions to change Google DNS 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

Instructions to change Google DNS 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

Google DNS 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4 is one of the DNS chosen by many users, especially to increase network access speed or access blocked Facebook.

How to use TickTick desktop widget instead of to-do apps

How to use TickTick desktop widget instead of to-do apps

Once you put your to-do lists on Windows 11's widget panel, they start appearing in front of you every morning—and suddenly, it's not so easy to ignore them anymore.

How to Open Windows Security in Windows 10

How to Open Windows Security in Windows 10

Windows Security is turned on and proactively protects your device by scanning for malware, viruses, and other security threats.

How to Free Up 48GB on Windows 11 PC Without Losing Any Important Data

How to Free Up 48GB on Windows 11 PC Without Losing Any Important Data

Between temporary files, outdated backups, duplicate data, and unused apps, there are plenty of ways to reclaim space without touching your personal files.

How to view computer configuration easily and quickly

How to view computer configuration easily and quickly

There are many ways for you to view your computer configuration, view your laptop configuration.

Check MD5 and SHA1 to check file integrity

Check MD5 and SHA1 to check file integrity

We will use a specialized program to check the MD5 and SHA1 codes of the file to see if there are any errors in the file. And the MD5 check software HashCalc is one of the quite useful tools to check MD5 and SHA1 codes.

What is the AppData folder in Windows? When should I use it?

What is the AppData folder in Windows? When should I use it?

Have you ever stumbled upon the mysterious AppData folder while rummaging through files on your computer or trying to get a Minecraft mod to work?

How to show hidden files and folders on Windows 10/8/7

How to show hidden files and folders on Windows 10/8/7

To view hidden files, hidden folders, hidden system files on Windows is quite simple. Readers can see detailed instructions on showing hidden files and viewing file extensions in this article.

Fix Windows + Shift + S shortcut not working on Windows 10

Fix Windows + Shift + S shortcut not working on Windows 10

The Win + Shift + S shortcut in Windows 10 allows users to capture a portion or the entire screen and copy it to the clipboard. In most cases, this feature works as expected, but sometimes it can become unresponsive.

12 ways to quickly access Settings on Windows 10

12 ways to quickly access Settings on Windows 10

On Windows 10, Microsoft integrated a new application called Settings. This Settings application is a Metro application created by Microsoft to replace the classic Control Panel application.

List of useful Alt shortcuts to insert special characters in Windows

List of useful Alt shortcuts to insert special characters in Windows

Simply hold down the Alt key and type the corresponding number to insert a special character. If you have memorized the code of your favorite special character, you can insert it in less than a second.