Can't delete folder in Windows 7

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  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 7
       #1

    Can't delete folder in Windows 7


    I'm trying to delete a folder in Windows 7 and get a perplexing error message: "Could not find this item: This is no longer located in G:\Graphics. Verify the item's location and try again.

    I'm using Windows 7; this folder is on an external hard drive. I've emptied the folder (there were items in it); I've scanned that external hard drive for errors. Trying to rename the folder yields the same enigmatic error message. The folder is empty.

    How can I delete this folder?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,913
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #2

    There may be a Windows 8.3 name in there that's causing the problem. Open up a command prompt, go to the G:\Graphics folder, and do a dir /x. Hopefully the file you are looking for is listed, then you can do a rd with the 8.3 filename.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #3

    tulsa40 said:
    I'm trying to delete a folder in Windows 7 and get a perplexing error message: "Could not find this item: This is no longer located in G:\Graphics. Verify the item's location and try again.

    I'm using Windows 7; this folder is on an external hard drive. I've emptied the folder (there were items in it); I've scanned that external hard drive for errors. Trying to rename the folder yields the same enigmatic error message. The folder is empty.

    How can I delete this folder?
    Reboot and try it again.

    What are the properties? how big, who owns it, etc

    Ken J++
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Here is something strange about this folder. I can move a file into it. Sort of. When I move a file into the folder I can't delete, another folder with exactly the same name is created. This second folder is empty and I can delete it.

    Once I've deleted the folder that was created when I copied a file, there's that folder remaining with the file in it. If I try to delete the folder, I get that same error message -- can't find the folder.

    I can delete the file that's in the folder, but still can't delete the folder.

    I'm not able to switch to the G: drive in the command prompt. (Or at least I can't with the CHDIR command.)

    Properties shows that the folder size is 0 bytes.

    I still can't delete it.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8,608
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
       #5

    See if you can delete the folder using KillBox:

    Download KillBox

    Unzip the folder to your desktop.
    Start Killbox.exe
    When it is open, enter G:\Graphics\whatevername into the field labeled "Full path of file to delete".
    Select the Delete on reboot option.
    Then press the button that looks like a red circle with a white X in it.
    Your computer will reboot and check to see if the file is gone.

    Let us know if this works
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Killbox did not kill that folder, even after selecting the Delete on Reboot option.

    The problem, I should mention, with this folder is that when my backup software hits this folder the entire backup process stops. So I definitely need to get rid of it.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,913
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #7

    To switch to the G drive, simply type g:

    Use the following commands, after opening up a command prompt:

    Code:
    g:
    cd graphics
    dir /x
    The 8.3 names will be listed in the column immediately before the long filename column. Use the rd command with the 8.3 name. For example:

    Code:
    rd VIRTUA~1
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,651
    W7 RTM Ultimate x64
       #8

    OR IN the Command Prompt.

    Code:
     
     
    G:
    rd graphics
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 2,913
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #9

    Uber Philf said:
    OR IN the Command Prompt.

    Code:
     
     
    G:
    rd graphics
    In DOS, the rd command will not work if there are files/folders contained within the directory. As there is a subdirectory inside GRAPHICS, the rd GRAPHICS command will fail. To remove a directory that contains other files/directories, the /S switch is required (use the /Q switch in order to not ask if it is ok to delete each folder).
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,913
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #10

    kegobeer said:
    To switch to the G drive, simply type g:

    Use the following commands, after opening up a command prompt:

    Code:
    g:
    cd graphics
    dir /x
    The 8.3 names will be listed in the column immediately before the long filename column. Use the rd command with the 8.3 name. For example:

    Code:
    rd VIRTUA~1
    If you receive an error, use the /S switch, which will remove all files and subdirectories, along with the parent directory, as I described in my reply to Uber Philf.

    Code:
    rd VIRTUA~1 /S
      My Computer


 
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