1. Restart your computer
Restarting usually closes any program holding the file and frees it.

2. Use Task Manager

• Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.

  
  

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• Find apps that might be using the file (e.g., Word, Excel, Explorer).

• Right-click and select “End Task.”

• Try the action again.

3. Find which program is using the file (Process Explorer)

• Download and run Process Explorer.

• Go to Find > Find Handle or DLL.

• Enter the file/folder name.

• See which process is locking it and close it.

4. Use Command Prompt to force delete

• Open CMD as Administrator.

• Delete file: del /F /Q "C:\Path\to\file.ext"

• Delete folder: rmdir /S /Q "C:\Path\to\folder"

5. Use third-party unlocker tools
Tools like Unlocker or IObit Unlocker can help unlock and delete files.

⚠️ Be careful with system files. Forced deletion can break Windows.