Need to delete files that won't delete

[Baxter1981]

Hi. I have a used laptop that was given to me and I need to delete some files and I'm not able to delete them.

[Irfan_06]

Hi @Baxter1981,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to assist you.

If you’re having trouble deleting files on your HP Stream Notebook, here are some steps you can try:

Check Permissions: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to delete the files. Right-click the file, select "Properties," and check the "Security" tab to see your permissions.

Close Open Programs: Make sure the file isn’t open in any program. Close any applications that might be using the file.

Use File Explorer:

• Open File Explorer.
• Navigate to the file you want to delete.
• Right-click the file and select "Delete," or select it and press the "Delete" key on your keyboard.

Delete from Command Prompt:

• Press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
• In the Command Prompt, type del followed by the file path (e.g., del C:\path\to\file.txt) and press Enter.

Safe Mode: Restart your laptop in Safe Mode and try deleting the files there. This can help if the files are being locked by background processes.

Antivirus Check: Run a full antivirus scan. Sometimes malware can prevent file deletion.

Disk Cleanup: Use Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files and free up space. Search for "Disk Cleanup" in the Start menu.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a great day ahead!

Irwin6

HP Support