Delete undeletable files (XP)

Delete undeletable files (XP)

Undeletable files are data files (e.g., avi, doc, etc.) that Windows Explorer will not let you delete even if you close all your programs and/or reboot.

First Method: Unlocker

- Download and install Unlocker (Free - 189KB).

Second Method: Process Explorer

- Download (Free - 77KB - Scroll down to the bottom of the page) and start Process Explorer.
- Close Windows Explorer.
- Select Explorer.EXE in the top pane.
- Look for the undeletable file in the bottom pane.
- Right-click the file, and select Close Handle.
- Close the program, and delete the file in Windows Explorer.

The seach feature does not work with file names, but it does with folder names.

Third Method: CMD

- Close all open programs.
- Open a command line window: Start > Run > CMD.
- Kill Explorer.exe: Ctl-Alt-Del > Processes, select Explorer.EXE, then click End Process.
- Delete the file in CMD.
- Restart Explorer.exe: Ctl-Alt-Del > File > New Task, then type Explorer.exe, and click OK.