Solved Delete Stubborn File

chuckhig · Jan 18, 2016

I have tried every un -locker that I could find. Cannot delete this file. It is empty. I cannot move it to my desktop to delete either. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

plodr · Jan 18, 2016

I use a small linux distro, Porteus. I have it burned to a CD and also "written" to a USB stick.
I boot into that, send the file in Windows that I'm unable to delete/move/erase/rename and delete it.

Several times I've had 0 byte files that I could see but no program would remove them. Porteus has saved me from having to restore an image just to get rid of something.

If you want the ISO, send me a PM with an email address. I have the file on gdrive and I will email you the link to download it.

Layback Bear · Jan 18, 2016

plodr could you just post a website to download Porteus?

Taplice · Jan 19, 2016

The first thing to try is to simply press F5 to Refresh, if you are unable to remove the file using Explorer, you might have better luck using the command prompt.
press windows key + r
type cmd.exe, press enter
cd \to\the\folder\containing\the\problem\file
dir /x
Note the short filename of the problem file. It will look for example like BLAH~1.
del BLAH~1

UsernameIssues · Jan 19, 2016

chuckhig,
Perhaps you have already done this - but before you delete the problematic folder, I would spend some time attempting to make sure that there is no problem with the file system (e.g. run a check of the file system with chkdsk).

Was one of the un-locker apps that you tried named Unlocker? If not, you can read a bit more about it in this old post. It would be interesting to know if any apps are locking the folder.

chuckhig · Jan 19, 2016

Yes unlocker tells me it cannot find file. All I tried cannot delete a file it cannot see. The folder is empty. Thanks..I will keep trying.

UsernameIssues · Jan 19, 2016

Did chkdsk come back clean?

(It can takes hours to run.)

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/96938-check-disk-chkdsk-read-event-viewer-log.html

DavidE · Jan 19, 2016

I found this MS thread that sounds like the same issue.
Renaming folders causes "Item Not Found" error in Windows 7 - Microsoft Community

I would create a system backup image before deleting registry keys, or attempting any fixes.

Pyprohly · Jan 19, 2016

Where "unlocker" applications couldn't detect a handle, deleting stubborn files using either the 8.3 short path naming convention or the long path naming convention have proven quite successful strategies in the past...

Chuckhig, create the below batch file and drag your problem file onto this script.

Code:

if "%~1"=="" exit /b
del /a /f \\?\%1
tskill explorer
goto 2>NUL & del %0

Or if your problem item is actually a folder (as per what your attached image suggests), then create the below instead.

Code:

if "%~1"=="" exit /b
rd /s /q \\?\%1
tskill explorer
goto 2>NUL & del %0

plodr · Jan 19, 2016

Sure. But be aware that Porteus is a build-it-yourself distro.
You have to pick and choose items to get the distro.

Have fun building: Porteus Wizard

whs · Jan 19, 2016

Try this : http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/79699-undeletable-file-delete.html

chuckhig · Jan 20, 2016

Pyprohly said:
Where "unlocker" applications couldn't detect a handle, deleting stubborn files using either the 8.3 short path naming convention or the long path naming convention have proven quite successful strategies in the past...

Chuckhig, create the below batch file and drag your problem file onto this script.

Code:

if "%~1"=="" exit /b del /a /f \\?\%1 tskill explorer goto 2>NUL & del %0

Or if your problem item is actually a folder (as per what your attached image suggests), then create the below instead.

Code:

if "%~1"=="" exit /b rd /s /q \\?\%1 tskill explorer goto 2>NUL & del %0

Sorry..way over my head.

whs · Jan 20, 2016

Maybe this method is more to your liking:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/79699-undeletable-file-delete.html

chuckhig · Jan 20, 2016

Have been trying your suggestion. Get message cannot find file .

whs · Jan 20, 2016

Hmm, so it is a ghost file.

chuckhig · Jan 20, 2016

I even attempted the CMD suggestion. I must be trying it bad or something. No luck. I had this problem once a long time ago before this new computer. I was given given a code or something..not sure,but it worked. I know you have to type the correct path with that code,but lost it. I tried to move the folder to my desktop and cannot either. Oh well. The folder is empty...just annoying. Thanks for your help. I will keep looking for an answer.

UsernameIssues · Jan 20, 2016

Did you get a chance to run the check mentioned in post #7?

Callender · Jan 20, 2016

RE: X-Plane

Is that run from DVD? Or installed on your hard drive?

In any case it seems that the folder is created by the program. I've seen other programs that create folders that cannot be deleted if:

A: The program is not in use.

B: You change the default "Save Location" of a folder that is used by the program.

I know of ways to delete zero byte files/ directories but you need a backp before going ahead.

EDIT:

On the basis that you might want to go ahead:

Create a system image backup that you can restore if needed.

Then read this post:

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...ile-doesnt-exist-post2824798.html#post2824798

Use PowerTool PowerTool x64 V1.6 for your 64bit machine. Just delete the folder and don't mess about with the other features.

sgage · Jan 20, 2016

Have you tried a Linux LiveCD? I've had really stubborn files that were easily dispatched from Linux...

Pyprohly · Jan 20, 2016

chuckhig said:
Pyprohly said:

[...]

Click to expand...

Sorry..way over my head.

It's not "way over your head". I'm sure you've created a file before. And I'm sure you've dragged and dropped a file somewhere before.

chuckhig said:
I had this problem once a long time ago before this new computer. I was given given a code or something..not sure,but it worked.

That "code" is probably the same one used in the batch file I'm offering you to try.

Well I've gone ahead and created the batch files for you and have attached them here. The instructions are simple: if you want to delete a file, drag and drop it on FileDeleter.bat's icon. If you want to delete a folder, drag and drop the folder on to FolderDeleter.bat.

Edit: Removed attachments. Please see post 9 for the mentioned batch files.

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