file.delete() returning false even file is writable

Question

I'am trying to copy a file to a directory and then deleting it, but file.delete() keeps returning false

Here is my code:

for (File file : list) {
            if (!file.isDirectory()) {
                try {
                    FileUtils.copyFileToDirectory(file, path);
                    file.setWritable(true);                         
                    System.out.println(file.delete());
                    if(file.exists()){
                        file.deleteOnExit();
                    }
                } catch (IOException e) {
                    System.out.println(e);
                }
            }
        }

Note that you need to have the proper permissions in order for `file.setWritable(true);` to work. Likely your user don't have the rights to delete the file. — BackSlash, Sep 08 '17 at 17:08
Execute the program with a user that has the rights to delete the file — BackSlash, Sep 08 '17 at 17:14
[Documentation](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/io/File.html#delete()) says you should try to use `Files.delete` to diagnose the problem because that method throws exception on error. — juzraai, Sep 08 '17 at 17:15
Did your copy routine close the file? Windows will not allow you to delete an open file. — Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen, Sep 09 '17 at 10:00

nagendra547 · Accepted Answer · 2017-09-09T04:33:11.503

Few ideas that you can work it out.

If you want to delete file first close all the connections and streams. after that delete the file
Make sure you have the delete permissions for the file
Make sure you are in right directory. Try using absolute path for deleting the file, in case delete is not working. Path might not be correct for the file.

Use Files.delete. The delete(Path) method deletes the file or throws an exception if the deletion fails. For example, if the file does not exist a NoSuchFileException is thrown. You can catch the exception to determine why the delete failed as follows: See Oracle docs here

try {
    Files.delete(path);
} catch (NoSuchFileException x) {
    System.err.format("%s: no such" + " file or directory%n", path);
} catch (DirectoryNotEmptyException x) {
    System.err.format("%s not empty%n", path);
} catch (IOException x) {
    // File permission problems are caught here.
    System.err.println(x);
}

file.delete() returning false even file is writable

1 Answers1