Delete Undeletable Files From Windows SD card & Flash Drive

Are you also looking for ways to delete undeletable files from your Windows device? Then you are at the right place. We all have those files in our system that are just too stubborn to get rid of. We often consider them as undetected because when we try to trash them, messages like “Access Denied”, “File is in use” pop up, or somehow, after deletion, the file regenerates. If not anything else, this is actually frustrating. 

In this guide, we will discuss why that particular file can’t be deleted and how you can actually delete it using the built-in options. Also, a reliable way to get rid of files that won’t delete using the best software to delete the undeletable files? 

Why Are You Unable to Delete Some Files?

You may find that the general method to delete a file is ineffective in some cases. Which is why you refer to it as “Undeletable”. But there can be various reasons why you are not able to delete undeletable files. 

• File in Use: You can not delete a file when it is being used in some application or being processed.
  E.g.: You have a file named “file.docx” that you have currently opened in MS Word. If you try to delete it from Explorer, it will return an error as “File is currently in use by another program or application.” 
• Permission Restrictions:  A file can not be deleted from your device if you do not have administrative rights to that file. Making you consider it as Undeletable.
  E.g.: In an organisation, managers often make a shared folder with limited ownership that subordinates can see, but cannot delete.

• Read-Only Files: Read-only files are those that you can not modify or delete directly. If you try to delete these from the file explorer directly, they reappear. Users need to alter the “Properties” and unmark these as “Read Only” to actually delete them.  
• Corrupted Files: Many times, a file can get corrupted in terms of structure and data, or content, making it hard to delete corrupted files directly. 
• System Protected Files: Certain files are important to the operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.) to function properly; thus, operating systems do not allow you to delete them directly, as it can crash the system.
• Ghost/ Phantom Files: These are the files that appear in your File Explorer, but they are already partially deleted or overwritten, making it hard to delete. Thus, creating a need for an app to delete undeletable files.

How to Delete Undeletable Files? 

There are multiple methods you can rely on that will help you force delete files that cannot be deleted. You can try these methods to delete undeletable files on Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, and even to delete files that cannot be deleted on connected SD cards and Flash drives. 

Method 1: Closing in Use App Using Task Manager 

If you have encountered a message like “File is currently in use,” you are not able to delete it, as another program is using it background. Now you can manually close all the programs using “Red X” in the top right corner. But sometimes you may not be able to identify it, which is why using Task Manager is more reliable. Follow the steps to delete undeletable files on a Windows device by using “Task Manager” to close files. 

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del.
2. From the menu option, choose “Task Manager.”
3. Go to the “Processes” tab from the left panel.
4. Open each “Apps” by clicking on (>).
5. Verify if the file you need to delete is “in process”.
6. If so, Right-Click on the file and hit “End Task”. 

Once done, try to delete undeletable files normally.

Tip: The file will end up in the Recycle Bin. Make sure you delete this file from there, too. 

Method 2: Force Delete Undeletable Files Using Shift + Delete

Many a time, some files tend to reappear after deletion. Using the Shift + Delete option helps the user to avoid the “Trash” and delete the file instantly and completely from the system. 

1. Go to the File location of the undeletable file. 
2. Select the file. Press Shift+ Delete. 
3. If you are sure that you want to delete the file. Hit “Yes”. 

Note: Ensure you go to the original location of the file instead of “Home” to remove undeletable files using this method. Keep in mind that once you press Yes. The file cannot be recovered.

Method 3: Unlock and Delete Undeletable Files

Locked files cannot usually be deleted directly. If you are trying to delete an undeletable office file that is password-protected. Make sure you remove the password first to get rid of the un-deletable file. You can use BitRecover Office Password Remover or remove manually using Windows’ built-in methods. 

1. Download the tool to unlock the files that can’t be deleted. 
2. Once done. Go to the File Explorer. 
3. Normally, delete the stubborn files. 

Note: These methods only work when you are not able to directly delete a file because of password protection.

Method 4: Delete Undeletable Files Using CMD

An extremely effective way to force delete undeletable files is using command prompt. It helps you bypass interface-level boundations. It is also better at handling locked files. Here is how to force delete a file/folder that cannot be deleted:

1. Click on Win+ S. Type cmd to open Command Prompt.
2. Navigate to the file location. Right-click and choose “Copy as Path.”
3. Paste it into Notepad.
4. Input the command attrib -h -s -r “Paste_file_Path” and press enter.
5. Input force delete command: del /f “Paste_file_Path”

You can now go and check if the Unremovable has been deleted yet at the location.

Method 5: Safe Mode to Delete Files that Cannot be Deleted

Safe mode is a boot option in Windows that allows you to use a computer with only essential drivers and services. It removes certain boundations due to startup programs. It provided you the access to core system functions, allowing you to delete undeletable files easily. 

1. Press Windows+R. Enter msconfig command.
2. Go to the “Boot” tab.
3. Choose “Safe Mode” from “Boot Options”.
4. Click “Apply” and then hit “Ok.”
5. Restart the computer to enter safe mode.
6. Try deleting the undeletable files in Windows normally.
7. If it, doesn’t work, open Command Prompt.
8. Input the command attrib -h -s -r “Paste_file_Path” and press enter.
9. Enter force delete command: del /f “Paste_file_Path”

An undetected file usually gets deleted using this method. 

Method 6: Grant Full Access to the File 

You may not be able to delete a file and consider it Undeletable, as you may not have the owner’s access to it. Follow the steps to grant full access and delete normally:  

1. Navigate to the undeletable file in the File Explorer.
2. Right-click and choose “Properties”.
3. Open the Security tab and hit Advanced at the bottom.
4. Click on Change, next to the Owner.
5. Enter your Username in the Check Names section.
   
6. Hit the “Check Name” button and then Ok.
7. Choose Apply to have control of the file.

Now you will be able to delete undeletable files due to permission restrictions.  

Note: If you do not know your username, enter echo %username% in the command prompt.

Method 7:  System Restore cleanup

In order to delete Ghost/Phantom files that are partially deleted, clean up System Restore points in Windows. Here is the step-by-step guide to delete undeletable files: 

1. Press Windows + R and type in sysdm.cpl and then hit “Ok.”
2. Navigate to System Protection tab at the top.
3. Click in your drive to select it. It’s most likely to be a C drive.
4. Press the “Delete” button at the bottom.
5. In the pop-up, “The Restrore Points were Deleted Successfully.” Press close
6. Hit “Configure” >>”Apply” >>”Ok“. 

Note: This method is expressly safe to delete undeletable files, especially with safety, as deleted files can be restored using this method.

Limitations of the Manual Method to Delete Undeletable Files

Even though the system’s built-in options allow you to delete files that seem undeletable, these methods do not guarantee success and present some drawbacks:

• No Guarantee: These are the generic troubleshooting steps that may or may not work to remove undeletable files, depending upon the scenario.
• Time-consuming: You will need to try out each method to land upon one that actually works.
• Data Loss: Most of these native methods for deleting undeletable files are permanent, and a mistakenly entered command can lead to the deletion of an entire folder instead of the file, causing great data loss.
• Technically Complex: These steps are not user-friendly and require an advanced level of computer operation knowledge.
• One-by-One Removal: If you have multiple undeletable files and you need to manually delete them one at a time. This can be exhausting to do manually.
• Some Files Cannot Be Removed: All kinds of files. E.g.: SD cards, flash drives, and system-protected files, which may remain undeletable due to the access limitations of manual methods.

Best Software To Delete Undeletable Files

Deleting the Undeletables file can be more complex and time-consuming than you could have imagined. But you can delete any file that Windows can’t delete using the BitRecover Data Wipe Tool instantly in a hassle-free manner. You can delete Undeletable Files Windows 11, 10, 7,8, and even on Mac devices in just a few clicks using this specialized software to permanently get rid of undeletable files even on SD cards and flash drives. 

Contact our technical support team via the live chat at the bottom right if you have any problem deleting files that cannot be removed. So, do give the tool a try today. Free trial also available. 

Benefits of Using a Specialized Tool to Delete Undeletable Files

Using advanced software to wipe out an unremovable file is a better choice due to the following reasons:

• Bypass System Restrictions: Easily remove stubborn files irrespective of whether they are hidden, password protected, corrupted, or partially deleted, and that too with zero failure chances.
• Bulk Cleaning Option: Delete multiple files that cannot be deleted in Windows at once. This makes it extremely useful for system managers and any business that has to keep its drives clean. Save both time and effort, which is not possible using built-in Windows features.
• User-Friendly: No technical knowledge is required to use the advanced software, unlike some manual ways to delete undeletable files that use CLI commands.
• Data Security: The tool is 100% secure and runs fully offline. Thus, there is no risk of data breach. The tool maintains International Standards for Complete Data Destruction.
• Customizable : You can reach out to our Technical Support team to customize the software for your business or work use with added advanced functions.
• Multiple Wiping Algorithms: The software has multiple advanced data wiping algorithms to wipe undeletable files; permanent & unrecoverable deletion, giving you more control.

How to Delete Files That Cannot Be Deleted? Using Advanced Software

Using the professional tool is extremely intuitive and simple. This is because it has a user-friendly interface that does not require any technical knowledge to use. It does not require any technical knowledge to operate. Steps to use the tool to delete undeletable files:

1. Download, install, and launch the software on your PC.
   
   
2. Click on the “Wipe File & Folder”.
3. Choose all the undeletable files from your device. Press “Open”.
4. In the Select Folder tab, check the box of the undeletable files you need to delete.
5. Choose “BitWipe Simple (1 Pass)” as the Wipe Method.
   
   
6. Hit “Wipe” to delete undeletable files instantly.

You can check in your file explorer; you will no longer have the “undeletable” file.

Note: The tool also comes with advanced filter options and generates a Data Erasure Report after completion. 

FAQs: Delete Undeletable Files

Q1: How do I delete a file that cannot be deleted? 

To Force Delete Files that cannot be deleted in Windows, you need to ensure that the file is not in use. You can use the task manager to do so. If the file doesn’t delete normally, you can try using Safe Mode, Command Prompt, and Shift + Delete to delete stubborn files. To permanently and easily delete undeletable files using a specialized solution is the best option. 

Q2: How can I delete files so that they cannot be recovered?

If you delete a file normally. It is likely to end up in the Trash and can easily be recovered. Use shift + delete to remove stubborn files directly from their path. Use CLI commands to discard files so that no one can recover them

Q3: How to delete undeletable files in a flash drive? 

Wipe out the undetectable form flash drive by connecting it to your PC and formatting it. You can also use the above-recommended tool to do so using its “Logical Drive” option for bulk deletion of undeletable files.  

Q4:  How to remove undeletable files from the SD Card? 

You can try to delete and wipe the SD Card data using the recommended tool. There are native methods like using shift + delete, and make sure you have removed any sort of restrictions or password protection, and then try to delete unremovable folders from the SD card normally.  

Conclusion

We hope you have now learnt “How to delete undeletable files?” The primary check is to ensure that the file is not being used in any app in the background. You can manually close all, but using the “Task Manager” makes it effective. You can delete files that resist removal by using system tools such as Shift + Delete, the Command Prompt, Disk Utility, and Safe Mode. But they can be time-consuming and highly technical for a beginner. 

This is why using Specialized software to delete unremovable files is the best solution. So, do give our robust tool a try today. And if you have queries related to undeletable file deletion using the tool. Connect with our support team directly using the live chat section.