What is a Corrupted File?
A corrupted file is a file that has become damaged or no longer functions properly. File corruption can happen for a variety of reasons and render a file partially or completely unusable.
Some common causes of file corruption include:
- Hardware issues like bad sectors on a hard drive or faulty RAM
- Forced shutdowns or power failures while a file is writing
- Software bugs, viruses, or malware infections
- Transfer errors when copying or downloading files
There are a few telltale signs that indicate a file is corrupted:
- You get an error message when trying to open the file
- The file contents are scrambled, garbled, or incomplete
- The file crashes or causes instability in the program trying to open it
- The file’s icon is generic instead of the normal icon for that file type
- The file’s name has changed to a series of characters or numbers
In summary, a corrupted file is damaged and does not function properly anymore due to various hardware, software, or transfer issues. Common signs of corruption include error messages, garbled contents, crashes, and changes to the file’s icon and name.
Why Corrupted Files Can’t Be Deleted
Corrupted files can’t be deleted through the normal delete process because the file system no longer recognizes them properly. When a file becomes corrupted, the data structure that defines the file gets damaged. As a result, the operating system can no longer interpret the file correctly. This prevents the normal delete operations from working as expected.
You may see error messages like “Error Deleting File” or “Cannot delete file: The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable” when trying to delete corrupted files through your operating system’s interface. The operating system knows the file is there but can’t understand the file structure enough to delete it. Some common reasons corrupted files can’t be deleted normally include:
- Virus infection damaging the file data
- Unexpected system crash during a file operation
- Faulty storage hardware causing data loss
- Bug in an application writing bad data to a file
Since the normal delete process relies on being able to correctly interpret file system data, it fails when trying to remove corrupted files. Specialized tools are needed to force the deletion by bypassing the normal mechanisms.
Force Delete with the Command Prompt
One way to force delete a corrupted file is by using the Command Prompt. Here are the steps:
1. Open the Command Prompt by typing “cmd” in the Windows search bar and clicking on the Command Prompt app.
2. Type the following command to navigate to the folder where the corrupted file is located:
cd C:\Path\To\Folder
3. Use the DEL command along with the /F and /S switches to force delete the corrupted file:
del /F /S CorruptedFileName.fileExtension
The /F switch forces the deletion of the file while /S deletes the specified file from all subfolders. This ensures that the corrupted file is completely deleted.
For example, to force delete a corrupted file named Data.xlsx located in C:\Users\Name\Documents, you would type:
del /F /S C:\Users\Name\Documents\Data.xlsx
The Command Prompt will prompt you to confirm the deletion. Type Y and press Enter to force delete the corrupted Excel file.
For more information, see: https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/how-to-force-delete-a-file-windows-command-prompt-cmd-delete/
Force Delete with Unlocker
Unlocker is a free utility that can force delete corrupted files that Windows can’t delete normally. Here’s how to use it:
First, download Unlocker from IObit’s website. Install and open the program.
In Unlocker, browse to the corrupted file you want to delete. Right click on the file and choose “Unlocker” from the context menu. A window will pop up with delete options.
Click the “Delete” button to force delete the corrupted file. Unlocker will attempt to remove the file without needing to reboot your computer.
If the normal “Delete” doesn’t work, try some of the other advanced delete options like “Delete on Reboot” or “Permanently Delete”. This will schedule the file deletion for the next reboot or use special low-level deletion methods.
After deleting, you may need to reboot your computer for the changes to fully take effect. Once your system restarts, the corrupted file should be gone from your hard drive.
Unlocker provides an easy way to circumvent the normal Windows file deletion process. It’s a handy utility for getting rid of files that refuse to be removed conventionally.
Force Delete with iMyFone Fixppo
iMyFone Fixppo is a powerful tool designed to fix various iOS system issues, including deleting corrupted files that can’t be removed normally. Developed by iMyFone, Fixppo provides a quick and easy way to get rid of troublesome corrupted files from your iPhone or iPad.
To use iMyFone Fixppo to force delete corrupted files, first visit the iMyFone website and download and install the Fixppo software on your Windows or Mac computer. You can get started with the free trial version to test it out before deciding to purchase the full program.
Once installed, open Fixppo and connect your iOS device to your computer using the charging cable. Make sure your device is detected by the program. Then click the “Advanced Mode” option to enter Advanced Mode. This will allow you to force delete corrupted files.
In Advanced Mode, click “File System” on the left menu. Here you will see a list of all files and folders stored on your device. Scroll to find any corrupted files, which are usually labeled in red text. Select the corrupted files you want to delete.
Finally, click the trash can icon at the bottom to permanently delete the selected corrupted files. Fixppo will safely force delete the problematic corrupted files that you can’t normally remove from your iOS device.
With iMyFone Fixppo, you can easily take control and get rid of pesky corrupted files. It provides an effective solution for force deleting corrupted files on iPhone and iPad when normal delete options fail.
Sources:
https://www.imyfone.com/support/imyfone-fixppo/
https://www.imyfone.com/ios-data-recovery/how-to-fix-corrupted-files/
Recover Data from Corrupted Files First
Often it’s possible to recover data from a corrupted file before force deleting it. This should generally be the first step, as force deleting the file will make data recovery much more difficult or impossible. There are a few options for data recovery software that may be able to recover data from a corrupted file:
Yodot Hard Drive Recovery – This software can scan hard drives to recover data after corruption of the master boot record (MBR) or other file system issues.
Yodot Data Recovery – Similar to above, this tool can recover data from a hard drive after corruption of the boot sector.
HDFS Recovery – For Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS), it may be possible to recover parts of corrupted files using HDFS tools.
The exact recovery process will depend on the type of file corruption and software used. But the key is to attempt restoring data before force deleting, as that should be a last resort after recovery attempts fail.
Prevent Corrupted Files Going Forward
There are a few key things you can do to help avoid corrupted files in the future:
- Back up your files regularly. Whether using an external hard drive, cloud backup service, or both, having multiple copies of your important files is the best defense against corruption. GetSecureTech recommends backing up daily if possible.
- Safely eject external drives before unplugging them to prevent potential corruption issues.
- Install any important Windows or driver updates which may contain corruption fixes.
- Use antivirus software to scan for and remove malware that could lead to corrupted files.
You can also be proactive by regularly checking for corrupted files. Tools like chkdsk in Windows can scan drives and report issues. Catching corruption early makes it easier to restore from backups before issues compound.
With vigilant backup habits and monitoring, you can minimize your chances of dealing with corrupted files going forward.
When to Contact a Professional
If you’ve tried the DIY options mentioned in this guide and still can’t delete the corrupted file, it may be time to seek professional help. Data recovery services specialize in recovering data from severely damaged or corrupted storage devices that are unreadable by traditional means.
Data recovery experts have access to advanced tools and techniques that can bypass corruption and access encoded data. Services like Secure Data Recovery and Geek Squad employ engineers who can manually repair drives and extract data using proprietary methods.
The process involves analyzing the device, determining the cause of corruption, and developing a customized solution. This hands-on approach gives data recovery services the highest chance of salvaging data from devices that appear beyond repair.
The exact techniques used will depend on the type of storage device, the extent of damage, and the specific service provider. But in general, expect logical, electronic, and physical recovery methods for optimal results.
Just keep in mind that professional data recovery can get expensive. Costs often start around $300 but can easily exceed $1000+ for extensive recovery from severely damaged drives. Weigh the value of your lost data against the cost before proceeding.
Recap and Summary
When trying to force delete a corrupted file, you have a few effective options to try. The Windows Command Prompt can delete files that Windows Explorer struggles with, using the “del” command. Unlocker is a free utility that can delete locked files. For more powerful corrupted file deletion, iMyFone Fixppo is an excellent choice – it can delete corrupted files as well as recover data from them if needed.
The most efficient options covered are using the Command Prompt, Unlocker, or iMyFone Fixppo. The Command Prompt is built into Windows and gives you access to more advanced commands like “del” to force deletion. Unlocker is a lightweight but powerful utility specifically designed for deleting stuck files. iMyFone Fixppo provides the most features, as it can recover data before deletion, and works on any type of corrupted file.
References/Sources
This article was researched and written using the following sources:
Microsoft Support. “How to delete corrupted files in Windows.” https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-delete-corrupted-files-in-windows-38e90a11-b3be-c901-12ac-23177cad3e7e
EaseUS. “Free Download Data Recovery Wizard and Guide.” https://www.easeus.com/datarecoverywizard/free-data-recovery-software.htm
Piriform. “Recuva.” https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva
iMyFone. “Fixppo.” https://www.imyfone.com/fixppo/
Chris Hoffman. “How to Repair Corrupt Windows System Files with the SFC and DISM Commands.” How-To Geek, 26 May 2020. https://www.howtogeek.com/222532/how-to-repair-corrupted-windows-system-files-with-the-sfc-and-dism-commands/