---
title: "Erasing write-protected and encrypted files FAQ"
canonical: "https://support.blancco.com/space/KB/11633206/Erasing%20write-protected%20and%20encrypted%20files%20FAQ"
format: markdown
---
<span style="color: #000000">This article contains frequently asked questions related to the erasure of write-protected, "locked" and encrypted files.</span>

- <span style="color: #000000">Can Blancco File Eraser shred a file or folder that is write-protected: Does the software automatically remove write protection from a file if it has admin-level access to it?</span>
  - <span style="color: #000000">Yes, if a Blancco File Eraser user has the proper user rights to a file or a folder, it can be shredded. It is recommended that </span><span style="color: #000000">Blancco File</span><span style="color: #000000"> Eraser is used with the rights of a local administrator.</span>
- <span style="color: #000000">Can Blancco File Eraser shred a password-protected file (for example a password-protected zip package)?</span>
  - <span style="color: #000000">Yes it can. The software does not need to access the contents of a file, so it does not require any password for the shredding operation.</span>
- <span style="color: #000000">Can </span><span style="color: #000000">Blancco File Eraser</span><span style="color: #000000"> shred an encrypted file?</span>
  - <span style="color: #000000">Yes it can. The software does not need to access the contents of a file, so it does not require any decryption before the shredding operation</span>
- <span style="color: #000000">Can </span><span style="color: #000000">Blancco File Eraser</span><span style="color: #000000"> shred files that are quarantined by some virus protection software (“virus chest”)?</span>
  - <span style="color: #000000">Yes, as long as the user has proper user rights to these files. Usually, these types of files are not protected at all. Just moved to a special folder.</span>
- <span style="color: #000000">If a file is "locked" because it is used by an application, is there any way to shred it?</span>
  - <span style="color: #000000">Yes, this can be done by running the </span><span style="color: #000000">Blancco File</span><span style="color: #000000"> Eraser</span><span style="color: #000000"> shredding commands from the command line tool. There are certain shredding command parameters which can "force" the deletion of "locked" files.</span>