When you need to delete a significant amount of files in File Explorer or on the Desktop, you might notice that Windows is sluggish when removing files. This issue can occur on Windows 11/10/8/7. At this point, MiniTool System Booster and other methods can help you enhance your PC's performance.

Many users have recently mentioned that their Windows is slow at deleting files. This problem can happen no matter the size of the files. Therefore, if you're a Windows 11/10 user who cannot delete files, keep reading the article.

Why does Windows 11/10 take a long time to delete files? Below are some possible causes:

• The hard disk drive not functioning properly
• Conflicts with other programs
• Faulty file system
• Too many or overly large files
• Etc.

Solution 1: Using MiniTool System Booster

If your Windows is slow at deleting files, you can try MiniTool System Booster to swiftly and effectively clear large files and junk files. It is a professional PC cleaner and optimizer designed to boost your computer's performance to its peak.

Now, let’s see how to use it:

1. Download MiniTool System Booster from the provided button. Install and launch it.

2. Click the dropdown menu to select Toolbox.

3. Click the Incinerator Extension feature under File Management. This feature helps you permanently remove and destroy files.

4. Enable the Incinerator icon and you will see the Incinerator on your desktop.

5. Drag the files you wish to remove into the Incinerator.

6. Open Incinerator on your desktop, then select the target file and right-click it to choose Incinerate.

Solution 2: Delete Files Using Command Prompt

If deleting files takes too long, you can also opt to remove them via Command Prompt. Here's how:

1. Locate the file you want to remove, then right-click it and select Properties. Copy the path now.

2. Type Command Prompt in the Search box and select Run as administrator.

3. Input the command line and press Enter to forcefully delete the file. The command line looks like this: del c:\users\daisy\desktop\test.txt.

Solution 3: Disable Remote Differential Compression

When you notice that Windows is slow at deleting files, it's best to disable Remote Differential Compression.

1. Type Windows Features in the Search box. Click the first result to open it.

2. Scroll down to find the Remote Differential Compression API Support option and uncheck it. Click OK to save the change.

Solution 4: Perform a Clean Boot

A Clean Boot will assist you in identifying the third-party application or service causing the "Windows is slow to delete files" issue. Follow the instructions to perform a clean boot.

1. Press the Windows R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialogue box.

2. Type msconfig in it, and click OK.

3. Go to the Services tab. Check the Hide All Microsoft Services box.

5. Now, click the Disable all button, and click Apply to save the change.

6. Navigate to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.

7. In the Task Manager tab, select the first enabled application and click Disable. You need to disable all enabled applications one by one.

Solution 5: Check the Disk for Errors

If the slow file deletion issue only happens on a specific disk, it might indicate that the disk has errors. Thus, you can run a disk error-checking tool to detect and fix the error.

1. Press the Windows E keys together to open File Explorer.

2. Find and right-click the target drive, then select Properties.

3. Under the Tools tab, click the Check button to start error checking.

4. Wait for the process to finish. Check if the “Windows is slow to delete files” issue has been resolved.

Solution 6: Check the File System

The "deleting files takes forever" issue can be due to corrupted system files. SFC (System File Checker) is a built-in Windows tool used for replacing damaged, lost, or changed system files with good system files. Follow the steps below to fix the file system.

1. Type cmd in the Search box and choose Run as administrator.

2. In the pop-up window, type sfc /scannow and press the Enter key.

3. After that, reboot your computer and check if the issue has been fixed.

Solution 7: Optimize the Hard Disk

The final solution to fix the "deleting files takes too long" issue is to defragment the hard drive. A corrupted or fragmented hard drive can also cause this issue. Thus, you need to defrag the hard drive. Here is how to do that:

1. Type defrag in the Search box and choose Defragment and Optimize Drives.

2. Now, you can select the desired drive and click Analyze.

3. After scanning the drive, choose the fragmented drive and click Optimize.

4. Wait for the process to be completed. When the defragmentation process is finished, reboot your computer and check whether the "deleting files takes forever" issue is fixed or not.

Related posts:

• Is Defrag Optimization Not Available? Here Is How to Fix It!
• How to Fix “System Hard Disk Drive Needs Optimization”

Bottom Line

How to fix the “Windows is slow to delete files” issue? If you want to resolve the issue but don't know how, you can try the above solutions one by one. We highly recommend using MiniTool System Booster.

The above is the detailed content of How to Fix the 'Windows Is Slow to Delete Files' Issue?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!