How do I know if I can delete a specific file? Intended For Windows Vista Windows XP Windows 2003 Windows 2000 Windows Me Windows 98 Windows 95 Check the date of the file (right-click on it and select Properties) - if it's recent, it's most likely being used. If the file is large, and you want to know if you can delete it, try renaming it or moving it to another directory before to see if everything still works before you delete it. No, you shouldn't delete WIN386.SWP (your swap file in Win95/98/Me) or PAGEFILE.SYS (your swap file in Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista). Written by: Annoyances.org Last updated: Wednesday, February 7, 2007 Care to discuss this article with other Windows users? Select your operating system here, and click Continue to post your question. - Choose your OS -Windows 7Windows VistaWindows Server 2003Windows XPWindows 2000Windows MeWindows 98Windows 95 Previous discussions about this article: (open a message to see applicable responses, if any) [Windows ME] Question about 'How do I know if I can delete a specific file?' (jay brown: Monday, September 3, 2001) [Windows 98] Question about 'How do I know if I can delete a specific file?' (Ken Chappell: Saturday, October 6, 2001) [Windows ME] WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH A CORRUPT PAGEFILE.SYS Can this file be deleted? (LEROY HESS: Tuesday, January 15, 2002) [Windows XP] Question about 'How do I know if I can delete a specific file?' (Cliff Williams: Saturday, January 26, 2002) [Windows XP] Question about 'How do I know if I can delete a specific file?' (xpizannoying: Wednesday, July 3, 2002) [Windows XP] Question about 'How do I know if I can delete a specific file?' (Tom: Friday, March 7, 2003) [Windows XP] Question about 'How do I know if I can delete a specific file?' (abnash: Wednesday, March 12, 2003) [Windows Me] Question about 'How do I know if I can delete a specific file?' (Bob: Wednesday, July 16, 2003) [Windows 98] Question about 'How do I know if I can delete a specific file?' (john: Saturday, February 14, 2004) Return to "Using Windows"