Can't delete file in file explorer


  1. Posts : 38
    Windows 10
       #1

    Can't delete file in file explorer


    I have a memory card in my phone that allows me to move large picture files to my laptop. Once in file explorer, it only allows me to copy and paste the files onto my laptop. The "cut" and "delete" options are grayed out.

    This memory card is quickly filling up b/c I am unable to delete any files. HELP
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 14,019
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       #2

    Isn't there some sort of file management app in the phone to allow that? If not and you have the MicroSDXC memory card in it [my wife does] pull the card and use the standard USB adapter that came with it to read in the computer. Most newer Desktops and Notebooks have a built-in reader or get a $20 one at Wal*Mart.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 56,825
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #3

    mroy99 said:
    I have a memory card in my phone that allows me to move large picture files to my laptop. Once in file explorer, it only allows me to copy and paste the files onto my laptop. The "cut" and "delete" options are grayed out.

    This memory card is quickly filling up b/c I am unable to delete any files. HELP
    You need to use the phone functions to actually delete the files. When you copy/past from phone to PC, it's actually doing a mini-conversion from the phone format to PC format (NTFS). You can copy from PC to Phone, also. Again it will do a format conversion. You can't use a PC Windows function to delete on the phone, without special software. If your phone is Android, try the Android app ES File Explorer or go thru the Gallery and delete from The SD card.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 38
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I should have said that I used this memory card on my last laptop with Windows 7 with no problems. I was able to cut and delete any file loaded on the memory card.

    Not sure if this is a glitch in Win 10 but I'll just start deleting these files on my phone once I've copied them. Just adds an extra step. Thanks for the feedback!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 15,485
    Windows10
       #5

    mroy99 said:
    I should have said that I used this memory card on my last laptop with Windows 7 with no problems. I was able to cut and delete any file loaded on the memory card.

    Not sure if this is a glitch in Win 10 but I'll just start deleting these files on my phone once I've copied them. Just adds an extra step. Thanks for the feedback!
    I use file explorer to cut, paste, delete files from my mobile all the time.

    I do not see why it is not working unless it is some sort of weird permissions issue?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 182
    Win 10 rs1 - build 14393.1944
       #6

    The folders could be set as Read-only on the card, try this:

    Can't delete file in file explorer-ashampoo_snap_2017.09.25_13h17m35s_002_.png

    You must do this to each folder/item you want to delete on the memory card!

    After the "Read-only" attributes are cleared and you have applied it, click'd OK a.s.o. try to delete the files.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 38
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    You maybe onto something but here's the error msg I get. Remember this is the same phone I used when I transfered files to my win 7 laptop. There must be something going on in my settings in Win 10.

    When I snip photos on twitter and try to send them in an email, I get the same message about "write protected." I've been doing this for years but this is a new error message since I started using win 10 a couple of weeks ago.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Can't delete file in file explorer-111222111.jpg  
      My Computer


 

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