This guide contains straightforward and effective fixes that help you delete even the most stubborn folders on Windows 10 and 11. You only need to follow the instructions, and you will be fine.
Why can’t I delete a folder on Windows 10?
Here are some of the most common causes that prevent you from deleting a folder in Windows 10:
Can’t delete folder in use – To fix the problem, you need to close all applications that might be using this directory. We covered a similar problem in our File in use error article, so check it out for more information. Cannot delete file access denied – This error message can appear if you don’t have the necessary privileges to delete a specific file or folder. Change your security permissions, and you can force delete the file. Can’t delete folder open in another program – By default, Windows prevents you from deleting files currently used by other applications. To fix this error, ensure that other applications aren’t using that file. Can’t delete files with long names – Windows can’t work well with files that exceed a specific character limit. We explained how to force delete a folder in Windows 10 with long file names in our The filename or extension is too long article, so be sure to check it out for more information. Can’t delete files need permission – This is just a variation of this error, but in most cases, you can fix it simply by changing your security permissions. Can’t delete folder Windows 10 could not find this item, no longer located – This happens when the folder has been already deleted, but the icon still shows up. Can’t delete folder Windows 10 as administrator – You can enter Safe Mode then try again to delete the folder as an admin. Force delete folder Windows 10 the directory is not empty – Check out our 7th solution to learn how to force delete a folder.
Without further ado, let’s jump right in!
How do I delete a folder that won’t delete Windows 10?
1. Reboot your system
Sometimes, you need to restart your machine, and the problem will disappear. Unresponsiveness doesn’t just happen in this case; for example, many people reported that they could not open the start menu sometimes, but when they restart their computer, everything works fine. But if restarting your PC didn’t solve the problem, you can try one of the following solutions.
2. Force delete folder in Windows 10 using CMD
Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Enter del, followed by the path of the folder or file you want to delete, as shown in the command below: del c:usersJohnDoeDesktoptext.txt
Press Enter to run the command.
You can repeat the process for all files and folders that you can’t delete by normal means.
If you tried the traditional or removing a folder and it failed, then you need to force delete it. The easiest way to force delete a folder that won’t delete in Windows 10 is via Command Prompt, also known as cmd. All you need to do is open the tool and input into it a command to remove the folder you want to get rid of, and it will do the job for it. This method also works for other command line tools such as Powershell, in case you don’t have Command Prompt on your device.
3. Use a specialized PC cleaning software
If this is a recurring problem and you do not have the time necessary to try out different possible tricks to fix it, we recommend you use dedicated PC maintenance and optimization software. One of the best tools of this kind is Fortect because it is fast and easy to use. The tool can run a complete scan of your PC and remove any unnecessary clutter. When the scan is complete, you will get a diagnostic report of all the impediments that have been found, including duplicate and built-up files. Afterward, Fortect will delete the clogged files and repair any broken components which will boost your system’s health instantly. Fortect is an excellent solution to keep your PC running fast. It helps you clean your browser, remove temporary files, refresh your operating system, and more.
4. Change the Ownership of the file/folder
We have a more in-depth guide on taking full ownership of a file or folder in case you need more information.
6. Enable the hidden administrator account
The problem might be the lack of security privileges if you can’t delete a specific folder on a desktop or other locations. However, you can always try removing those files using a hidden administrator account. Even though this feature is valid, it can also stop you from deleting a folder even though you’re an administrator on Windows 10. To fix this problem, check your antivirus settings and see if this feature is enabled. If so, disable it for the files you want to delete and check if that solves the issue. SPONSORED If you can’t find this feature, you can remove your antivirus and check if that helps. If removing the antivirus solves the problem, you should consider switching to a different antivirus solution in ESET NOD32. It is reliable security software that can protect your PC and, of course, the essential files on your PC. This light resource software can also increase malware protection without affecting other system services. Hence, switch your security utility to a reliable antivirus with a high detection rate. Protect your system while you keep all the usage right for your PC. Windows 10 has a hidden administrator account, which you can use to fix various problems. We already wrote about this account in the past. If you need more information, check our article on how to enable the hidden administrator account for more details.
8. Remove AMD Uninstall Utility
Sometimes, third-party applications can cause this problem to appear. For example, if you can’t delete files or folders on your PC, the issue might be caused by the AMD Uninstall Utility. Find this application on your PC and remove it to fix this problem. There are several ways to do that, but the best way is to use uninstaller software. These tools are designed to remove applications and all files and registry entries associated with the desired application. After completely removing the problematic application, the issue should be resolved, and you’ll be able to delete files again.
9. Use Microsoft’s Troubleshooter
After the troubleshooter is finished, check if the problem persists.
10. Use Safe Mode
Once you enter Safe Mode, try to delete the problematic file or directory again. Keep in mind that this is just a workaround, but it can be helpful if you need to remove just a couple of files or folders from a specific directory. If you can’t boot into Safe Mode, you can try doing it from the Power Menu or with the help of third-party software.
11. Use the chkdsk command in cmd to check for PC errors
The chkdsk scan will fix any potential errors, and some users reported fixing this problem after performing it, so make sure you try it.
What should I do if I can’t delete a folder on Windows 11?
If you can’t delete a folder on Windows 11, it might be because you lack permission. You can fix this by following the steps shown in this guide. If you can’t delete a folder on Windows 10 and 11, it denies you the opportunity to create space for other files. But with the fixes in this guide, you should be able to do it quickly. Similarly, if you need efficient software to force delete undeletable files, you can check our excellent guide on the topic for the top options available. Among the prominent errors on this OS are folders and files issues, with users complaining that they couldn’t rename folders on Windows 10 in the past. Now, many people are having problems deleting some files or folders. If you have some alternate solutions for this problem and want to share them with us, please write them down in the comments below. Our readers would love to read it.
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