Windows 7, Deleting Large files is extremely slow. (Not going to recycle bin, permanent delete)

Here's the process that I used to delete a pesky 370MB mpeg file: right-click on the file, select Properties, then under the General tab select the Advanced button for Attributes, then uncheck both options under the File Attributes section ('File is ready for archiving' and 'Allow this file to have contents indexed in addition to file properties'). After applying these changes, the file can be instantly deleted.

Rudy Stricklan

Thank you, this worked perfectly. I had to remove a 0,99GB installer (just messing around with Inno Setup) and it stayed at discovering items, renaming it would make explorer crash.

I tried your fix and it worked, when I unchecked the boxed the entire system froze for a bit but later it just worked perfectly, file deleted instantly!

Recommend this fix to everyone!

Microsoft support should re-read their replies before posting.

'Boot in safe mode' ??? to delete a file. I have tried deleting a 1GB file in the windows 7 x86-64 with latest patches applied and the problem still exists. Even trying to get to Properties takes a very long time. No wonder Microsoft is loosing ground in the moder era of operating systems ....

Microsoft wake up...

I have tried most of the ideas in this thread but all have drawbacks. Someone at MS must have the solution.

 My problem is not only with large files but any file.  A very small 16 K "MS Works" file takes 1.5 minutes to delete before the "Are You Sure Window" appears.  I'm about to the end of my nice vocabulary. J

I am also seeing the problem of Win 7-64 not deleting files in a timely manner. My situation is a little different in that files are being created and deleted programmatically. Let me try to explain.  There are three computers. Common usernames via our network with Admin. rights to the three computers are granted. Computers Two and Three have mapped drives to One via IP naming (\ip address\c). All are desktops Lenovo -7359WSF with 8GB and plenty of HD space. File size discussed is 1k. Connections between computers are via a Cissco switch with everything configured for 100m full duplex. Programs are VB6 executables. Network OS is Server 2008 R2.

Computer One is acting as a data/program storage area.  Programs and data are just kept there.  Computer Two will execute a program from One and poll a directory on One for a file.  Computer Three will write a file to One and when Two sees the file, go and do some action.  When Two has completed the action, Two will delete the file on One. Computer Three is polling the directory for the deletion of the file and will update its screen when the file is deleted. The timing of the polling is approx. 6 times a second, for all computers.  What I am seeing is the creation of the file and delays of up to 10 seconds before the file gets deleted.  I do not see the delays with Win XP-32.  This eliminates the question of the delay with Two’s action. Now, for the kicker.  If I open Windows File Explorer on Two and point it to the directory where the file is created/deleted on One, the timing issue becomes moot.  There is hardly any delay!

Indexing has been turned off/on and no differences are observed. Same with Remote Differential Compression. Same the Program Compatibility Assistant. Same with Anti-Virus software disabled/enabled.  Same with replacing Computer One with a network storage location. Any Ideas?

Has this issue ever been fixed? Seems your "Safe Mode" response is not helpful. I simply want to delete a large file (3.5GB) sitting on my desktop and do not want to go to Safe mode to do so. How can I delete this large file - or is deleting large files not possibly in Win 7?