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Deleting Excel Files

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RocW | 12:12 Thu 03rd Oct 2024 | Technology
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I have (literally) hundreds of ex-client excel files on my desktop. I have retired and, having checked with the ex-clients, want to delete all the files.  The hierarchy is: top level: name of my practice; subfolder: name of client; sub sub folder: year; lowest level: individual workbook with multiple pages.  I can delete individual pages but I would need to live until I am 187, working 10 hours a day, 7 days per week to delete them all using this method.  There must be a better way but if I even try to delete a workbook, excel tells me that either the file is locked or I don't have permission.  I am the only user of this computer and the creator of every one of these files.  Ideally, I would like to go to the highest level and delete all in one single operation but I doubt that is possible.  Are there any experts out there who could help?  Please keep it as simple as possible; I'm a number cruncher not a techie!

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If you are okay with deleting every Excel file on your desktop, try this method.

1. Restart the computer:
    Click the Start button
    Select the Power icon
    Choose "Restart"

2. After the computer restarts, open File Explorer:
    Click the folder icon on the taskbar
    Or press the Windows key + E on the keyboard

3. Navigate to the Excel files:
    In File Explorer, look for common locations like "Documents" or "Desktop" in the left sidebar
    Click through folders until you find where the Excel files are stored
    If unsure, use the search bar at the top right of File Explorer and type "*.xlsx" to find Excel files
    Once in the correct folder, you should see the Excel files listed

4. Select All Files:
    Click on any file in the folder
    Press Ctrl+A to select all files
    Alternatively, hold Shift and click to choose a range of files
5. Delete the Files:
    Press the Delete key on the keyboard
    Or right-click and select "Delete" from the context menu

6. Confirm Deletion: Click "Yes" to confirm the deletion of all selected

 

Perhaps you can do a search on the whole disk for files with Excel extensions ?

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