In this guide, we have given the methods to delete any file or folder that has been locked from your access.

Workaround: Perform a System Restart 

When facing the issue where the selected files and folders are stuck on the deletion prompt, you must restart your system. This will restart all processes on the system that may be interfering with the deletion process. Perform a System Restart by following the steps below:

1. Run the Disk Checker

A corrupted disk will also be a reason why you are facing this error as it interferes with the normal performance of the system. To ensure that your disk is not facing any corruption, you must perform the Disk Checker that scans your disk and repairs the detected errors on it. You can perform the Disk Checker by following the steps:

2. Run the System Scans

Your System Files when corrupted will also lead to this error. Corruption in the system files stops certain activities on the system from performing. Therefore, you must ensure that the system files are not corrupted by performing System Scans that detect and repair the issue found with your computer. You can do that by following the procedure given below:  

3. Remove the directory through the command prompt

When facing this issue, you may not have administrative permissions to delete the files and folder. Therefore, you must use the command prompt as an administrator to automatically delete the directory from your system without sending the files to the Recycle Bin. Below are the instructions to remove the directory from the command prompt:

4. Remove the File from Windows Powershell

Another way you can remove any file from File Explorer is through the use of Windows PowerShell. This is a built-in command line that is similar to the Command Prompt but has more extensibility. Using the steps below, you can remove the file from the Windows PowerShell:

5. Use the Program Take Ownership

One of the reasons why you can’t delete the files is that you don’t have permission to perform the deletion from your system, especially if you are the only user of the device. Therefore, using the Take Ownership program, you can take complete ownership of all files and folders on your system and delete them as per your choice. Below is how you can download and use the program:

6. Use the Unlocker Program 

Unlocker is a convenient program that allows you to Unlock files and folders and provides you access to them is the Unlocker.  If you’re comfortable with using freeware to unlock and delete Windows files, you can follow the instructions below to install and use the Unlocker program:

7. Delete the File/Folder in Safe Mode

If the error persists when using the system in a Normal State, then you must boot the system on Safe Mode to delete the file/folder. This Mode will allow the system to start with default programs and a minimal set of drivers and will help you find the problem as well. You can run the System on Safe Mode as follow:

8. Perform a Clean Boot

If you are still facing the error, then you must Perform a Clean Boot on your system. Performing a Clean Boot will boot the system on a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. However, when doing so, you must make a backup copy of your files on the system in case your data gets deleted. 

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