Delete a file - Microsoft Support (2024)

The best way to delete your files is to use the Windows File Explorer.

Delete a file by using File Explorer

  1. Open a File Explorer window.

    Tip:A quick way to get to File Explorer is to press Windows Key Delete a file - Microsoft Support (1) + E.

  2. Locate the file that you want to delete.

  3. Select the file and press your Delete key, or click Delete on the Home tab of the ribbon.

Tip:You can also select more than one file to be deleted at the same time. Press and hold the CTRL key as you select multiple files to delete. To select a long list of files click the first file in the list, press and hold SHIFT, then click the last file in the list.

For more information see: Delete a file by using File Explorer

Remove a file from your recently used list in an Office program

If you want to keep the file, but simply remove it from your recently used files list, follow these steps:

  1. Click File > Open.

  2. Locate the file that you want to delete.

  3. Right-click the file, and then click Remove from list.

For more information on customizing the recently used files list see: Customize the list of recently used files.

In Office 2010, or Office 2007, you can delete files from within Office applications or by using Windows Explorer.

Delete a file while in an Office program

  1. Click File > Open in Office 2010 or click the Microsoft Office Button Delete a file - Microsoft Support (2), and then click Open in Office 2007.

  2. Locate the file that you want to delete.

  3. Right-click the file, then click Delete on the shortcut menu.

    Tip:You can also select more than one file to be deleted at the same time. Press and hold the CTRL key as you select multiple files to delete. To select a long list of files click the first file in the list, press and hold SHIFT, then click the last file in the list.

Delete a file by using Windows Explorer

  1. Open Windows Explorer.

    Tip:A quick way to get to Windows Explorer is to press Windows Key Delete a file - Microsoft Support (3) + E.

  2. Locate the file that you want to delete.

  3. Right-click the file, and click Delete on the shortcut menu.

For more information see: Delete a file by using File Explorer

I am a seasoned technology enthusiast with extensive expertise in operating systems, file management, and data manipulation. Over the years, I have acquired in-depth knowledge of various software applications and their functionalities. My hands-on experience and deep understanding of Windows systems allow me to provide valuable insights and guidance on file management techniques.

In the provided article, the focus is on the best way to delete files using Windows File Explorer. Let's break down the concepts involved and elaborate on each step:

  1. Opening File Explorer:

    • Use the keyboard shortcut: Press Windows Key + E to quickly open File Explorer.
  2. Locating Files:

    • Once in File Explorer, navigate to the location of the file you want to delete.
  3. Selecting and Deleting Files:

    • Select the file you wish to delete.
    • Press the Delete key on your keyboard or click the Delete option on the Home tab of the ribbon.
  4. Selecting Multiple Files:

    • Hold down the CTRL key while selecting multiple files for simultaneous deletion.
    • To select a range of files, click the first file, hold SHIFT, then click the last file.
  5. Removing Files from Recently Used List (Office Program):

    • Open an Office program and click on File > Open.
    • Locate the file you want to remove from the recently used files list.
    • Right-click the file and choose "Remove from list."
  6. Deleting Files from Within Office Program (Office 2010 or Office 2007):

    • In Office 2010, click File > Open. In Office 2007, click the Microsoft Office Button, then click Open.
    • Locate the file you want to delete.
    • Right-click the file, and select Delete from the shortcut menu.
    • Similar to File Explorer, you can select multiple files for deletion using CTRL or SHIFT keys.
  7. Deleting Files using Windows Explorer:

    • Open Windows Explorer (shortcut: Windows Key + E).
    • Locate the file, right-click, and choose Delete from the shortcut menu.

These instructions provide a comprehensive guide on how to efficiently manage and delete files on Windows systems, whether using File Explorer or within Office programs. The inclusion of keyboard shortcuts enhances the user experience and demonstrates the versatility of Windows file management. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on these concepts, feel free to ask.

Delete a file - Microsoft Support (2024)

FAQs

Delete a file - Microsoft Support? ›

You can press Windows + R keys on the keyboard, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run Windows Command Prompt as administrator. Step 2. Then input the command line and hit Enter to force delete the file in Windows 10 with CMD. The command line is like this: del c:\users\alisa\desktop\test.txt.

How do I force delete a file in Microsoft? ›

You can press Windows + R keys on the keyboard, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run Windows Command Prompt as administrator. Step 2. Then input the command line and hit Enter to force delete the file in Windows 10 with CMD. The command line is like this: del c:\users\alisa\desktop\test.txt.

How do I delete unremovable files in Windows 10? ›

Simple Solutions:
  1. Close all programs and restart your computer: Sometimes, a program might be using the file, preventing you from deleting it. ...
  2. Use Shift + Delete to force delete the file: This method bypasses the Recycle Bin and permanently deletes the file.
Dec 8, 2023

How do I delete a file in file handling? ›

The remove() function is used in C/C++ to delete a file. It is part of the standard I/O library and is declared in the <stdio. h> header file. The function returns 0 if the file is deleted successfully.

How do I delete files? ›

Delete downloaded files
  1. On your Android device, open Files by Google .
  2. Tap Menu Clean .
  3. On the "Delete downloaded files" card, tap Select files.
  4. Select the files you want to delete.
  5. At the bottom, tap Move x file(s) to Trash.
  6. On the confirmation dialog, tap Move x file(s) to Trash.

How do I delete a file that won't delete? ›

How to Delete Files That Cannot Be Deleted
  1. Deleting Files in Safe Mode on Windows.
  2. Using the Command Prompt on Windows.
  3. Repairing Disk Errors on Windows.
  4. Deleting Files in Safe Mode on Mac.
  5. Using The Terminal on Mac and Linux.
  6. Repairing Disk Errors on Mac.
  7. Using SD Maid on Android.
Feb 21, 2024

Why won't Windows let me delete a file? ›

You can't delete a file if the file is being used. To resolve this issue, determine the process that has the open handle, and then close that process. Depending on how the file is opened, you may not be able to delete a file that's in use. For example, the file is open for exclusive access instead of shared access.

How do I force delete Undeletable files? ›

The Task Manager can help you do that.
  1. Press "Ctrl + Alt + Delete" simultaneously and choose "Task Manager" to open it.
  2. Find the application where your data is in use. Select it and click "End task".
  3. Try to delete the undeletable information once again.

How do I permanently delete Undeletable files? ›

How to Force Delete Undeletable Files in Windows
  1. Use the Force Delete Shortcut.
  2. Restart the PC.
  3. Force Close Apps Running in the Background.
  4. Use Windows PowerShell.
  5. Take Ownership of the File.
  6. Use a Third-Party App.
  7. Boot into Safe Mode.
Feb 21, 2023

What is the program that deletes Undeletable files? ›

Wise Force Deleter is a completely freeware that allows you to delete any file in your Windows system (64-bit and 32-bit). It has been developed and fully tested to work great on Windows 11, 10 and other Windows operating systems, from Windows XP and up. No matter what you own - a desktop or a laptop.

How do you permanently delete a file or folder? ›

To delete file(s) without moving to the Recycle Bin first, select the folder or files and press SHIFT+Delete (at the same time) on your keyboard. Windows 10 asks for confirmation before it removes the files – when you are asked “Are you sure you want to permanently delete this file(s)?”, press Yes.

How do I delete a file or folder? ›

To delete a computer file or folder:
  1. Locate the file or folder by using Windows Explorer. ...
  2. In Windows Explorer, right-click the file or folder that you want to delete and then choose Delete. ...
  3. Click Yes to delete the file.
Jun 19, 2017

What are the three ways to delete files and folder? ›

Delete and Rename Files or Folders

Go to the location where stores your file or folder. Click the name of the file or folder you wish to delete. Press the delete key (on the keyboard) or right click the file or folder and click Delete.

How do I delete files in Microsoft 365? ›

To delete docs from Microsoft 365, do the following:
  1. Open your account and go to the Documents area.
  2. Use the search bar or filters to narrow down based on file name, date modified, or file type.
  3. Check the checkboxes of the docs you want to delete.
  4. Hit the delete button to remove them completely.

How do I delete a file or folder in Windows 10? ›

Delete a folder
  1. Right-click the folder you want to delete and click Delete Folder.
  2. Click Yes to move the folder and its contents to the Deleted Items folder. When you empty the Deleted Items folder, everything in it — including any folders you've deleted — is permanently erased.

How do I delete files on Windows 11? ›

Here is how you can delete a file on Windows 11: Locate the file and right-click on it. Click the Delete icon (a bin icon) on the top ribbon of the right-click menu. The selected file will be moved to Recycle Bin. The Delete button on your keyboard is still applicable to delete the files on Windows 11.

How do I force delete an Undeletable file? ›

The Task Manager can help you do that.
  1. Press "Ctrl + Alt + Delete" simultaneously and choose "Task Manager" to open it.
  2. Find the application where your data is in use. Select it and click "End task".
  3. Try to delete the undeletable information once again.
Jan 15, 2024

Can I force delete a file? ›

Force delete using Windows. Enter the command prompt (Start-> Run-> Cmd) and enter 'del /f filename', where 'filename' is the name of the file or files (you can specify multiple files using commas) you want to delete.

How do you force delete a file and folder? ›

Method 3: Force Delete a File via CMD

Step 1: Press Win + R to open Run, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt with admin rights. Step 2: Please click Yes if a User Account Control window pops up. Step 3: When the window opens, type del file/folder link and press Enter to execute the command.

How do you force delete even if a file is in use? ›

In the command window, type the DEL /F file name command and press Enter to force delete the file that is in use. Note: In the above command, the file name must be replaced by the name of the file along with its extension that you want to delete. For example del /f TestFile. txt.

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