To delete a file from Windows, you will first need to locate the file that you want to delete. You can do this by finding the file in the Windows Explorer or My Computer window.
Once you have located the file, right-click the file and select Delete from the menu. A message may appear asking if you are sure you want to delete the file. If you are sure, select Yes. The file will now be deleted.
Alternatively, you can select the file and press the Delete key on your keyboard to delete the file.
If the file you are trying to delete is in use, you may receive a message telling you that the file is in use and cannot be deleted. In this case, you will need to close any applications or processes that are using the file before you can delete it. You may also need to restart your computer before you can delete the file.
If you are unable to delete a file because it is corrupted or contains an incorrect filename, you will need to use a special tool such as Unlocker to delete the file. Unlocker can be downloaded for free from the Internet and will allow you to delete any stubborn files that you are unable to delete without it.
If you want to permanently delete a file so that it cannot be recovered, you will need to use a secure deletion program such as Eraser. Secure deletion programs overwrite the file several times with random data, making it impossible to recover the file even with sophisticated recovery software.
Finally, you should note that if you are using a version of Windows older than Windows 2000, deleting a file does not mean that it is gone forever. Deleted files are placed in the Recycle Bin and can usually be recovered if the user knows the name of the file. To permanently delete a file in this case, you will need to empty the Recycle Bin.