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How do I delete files on my Sony PSP?

Dave, help! How do I delete downloaded movies from my Sony PSP? More generally, how do I manage the files that I've put on the PSP without having to use my PC all the time?

Dave's Answer:

It's not obvious that the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP, for us people who like to type less) has a file system manager as part of its firmware operating system, but indeed you can delete just about any MP3 music file, JPG / PNG photograph or image, or MP4 downloaded movie with the PSP device itself.

To demonstrate, let me show you how I can delete a photograph from my PSP, then I'll show you how to do the same thing for movies too.

I'll assume that you already know how to download photos to your PSP (if not, please check out How do download photos to your Sony PSP for help) so all you need to do to start is go to Photo, and click (use the "X" button) on the "Memory Stick" option. If you have pictures, you'll see them show up, just as this one has done for me:

Now, here's the magic. Press the up triangle button on the right control pad. Now you'll suddenly see a range of system options:

Amazing, eh? All those features hidden. To delete this photo, I'd simply use the down arrow (the left control pad) to move to "delete", then press the "X" button, in which case the PSP will confirm that's what I really want to do:

Sony PSP: Are you sure you want to delete the image?

To delete it, use the left arrow to highlight "yes" then press "X" again.

Deleting movies works basically the same. Move back up to the Video section, select the "Memory Stick" with the "X" button, then move down to the movie you want to delete. (if you don't know how to download movies onto your PSP, by the way, you'll find How to download movies onto your PSP a must read).

In this instance, I'm going to delete my downloaded copy of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:

You can guess what to do next. Press the "up triangle" button and you'll see the file management options again:

You can delete it exactly as you delete photos (and music files, for that matter).

While we're here, do choose "Information" because it's so darn interesting:

Video Download Information Display, Sony PSP

That's how ya do it. Hope this helps you out!

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Categorized: Sony PSP, MP3 Players, Etc. (Article 6616)
Tagged: psp photos, psp video, sony playstation portable, sony psp
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Comments

Thanks for the help Dave! Who would have thought, push the triangle to show delete. Duh!

Posted by: Michael at March 17, 2007 3:46 PM

How do I dowload video files from my computer to the PSP?

Posted by: Nickolas at March 28, 2007 4:54 PM

i tried to put two epasodes of south park on my psp.
i have limewire i downloaded them completly
i put them on my psp
(maby thr wrong way
how do you do that aswell)
i looked on my psp and they arent there at all
but it took a hugr chunk out of my memory
so it must be in there
wat do i do
please help

Posted by: rob at January 2, 2008 2:51 PM

I can't seem to delete music from my PSP. When I try to delete it it says:
"This folder cannot be deleted. The folder contains data of types other than music data"
Even though it only contains music.

Please help!

Laura.
lauraemilybrennan@hotmail.com

Posted by: Laura at June 2, 2008 7:14 AM

I have a similar problem, there are files in my music and it says that it cant be deleted. I pop up all of the files on my omputer, and it wont let me delete them. It says that folder cannot be deleted. This folder contains data of types other than music. PLEASE HELP AND EMAIL ME BACK!!

Posted by: Tabitha at August 20, 2008 11:27 AM

Hi Dave, I'm having the same problem as Laura. I'm trying to delete music and its telling me that I can't because it contains data of types other than music. Please help me Dave, I nned you right now. Thanx

Posted by: Sherlanda at January 6, 2009 4:42 AM

Hi Dave!

I've got a really irritating problem with my PSP. Once i turn it on, it seems as if my D-pad is stuck at the right button. the only buttons that respond when i press are left, x, and select.
but when i turn it on on recovery mode, the buttons work well. what's the effin' prob with my PSP!!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by: R!PCURL at March 31, 2009 8:46 AM

i need to delete files off my common folder taking to much memory please help

Posted by: paul at July 2, 2009 1:50 PM

Watz good Dave, I tried to download lil wayne whole album the carter 3 on my psp and it took a chunk of memory n i dnt kno how to delete it.thnx

Posted by: Davonte at July 19, 2009 6:58 PM

this only tempararily deletes them how do delete the file forever, without formatting???

Posted by: Aaron at September 21, 2009 10:12 AM

Thanks it took me like three hours to try and figure that out for some reason I am dumb as hell when it comes comps and gaming systems. Thanks again

Posted by: militant in japan at October 5, 2009 9:15 PM

I have an old system update stuck on my PSP and it will not allow me to delete it. any tips??

Posted by: Cory at October 15, 2009 5:26 PM

what do i do if a file on my psp wont delete ?

Posted by: matthew at November 8, 2009 12:49 PM

When I try and delete my movies & school work from my Common folder it says

"Cannot Delete 1:Access is denied.

Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use."

well this disk has 943 MB unused and i need 944 MB unused and that seems to be the only damn thing left thats taking up space other than the system files. And also none of the files are currently in use so im guessing it must be Write-Protected but how do you get rid of that?

Posted by: Oh my godness and goodness at November 25, 2009 7:37 PM

Oh my, pull out the Memory Stick itself and look closely at it. Many of them have a tiny slider switch that lets you put it into read-only "protected" mode. Perhaps that's the problem?

Posted by: Dave Taylor at November 26, 2009 12:12 PM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!