Undeletable File - Delete

Using command prompt to delete files that explorer.exe is locking.

Information

This tutorial shows you how to delete undeletable files and folders. There are times when explorer.exe somehow locks files into place and won't allow them to be deleted. In order to delete them you must close explorer.exe and use a command prompt to delete the file.

Tip
Be very careful when deleting files through command prompt, it's possible you could accidently delete the wrong file.

1. - Open an elevated command prompt

Start > Search "cmd" > Right Click cmd.exe > Run as Administrator

2. - Leave Command prompt open; Open task manager

3. - End process "explorer.exe"

4. - Switch back to command prompt

5A. - FILE - Change to the directory of your file and delete it.

First run this line: cd "PATH OF YOUR FILE"
i.e. cd "%USERPROFILE%"\Downloads"
Now run this line: del filename.extension
i.e. del filename.mkv

5B. - FOLDER - Delete the folder.

Enter Command: RD /S /Q [DRIVE:]\PATH\TO\FOLDER
i.e
RD /S /Q C:\Users\[username]\Downloads\FOLDERNAME

6. - Switch back to task manager

7. - Restart "explorer.exe"