Could not find this item - Can't delete folder


  1. Posts : 14
    windows 7 64
       #1

    Could not find this item - Can't delete folder


    I cannot delete or do anything with this empty folder.
    I tried the command prompt, renaming folder or dragging folder into new folder, but every time, I get the same message.
    "Could not find this item
    This is no longer in.....verify the item's location and try again."

    This problem started when I tried to rearrange the contents of this folder by opening another window of the same folder, so I could simply drag the items into same folder. The original folder had one folder A which contained 3 subfolders B,C and D.So when I dragged B,C and D into the window with folder A, everything suddenly disappeared. I was looking at 2 empty windows of the same folder. I have never seen this happen before. Tried to refresh, restart but both folders were still empty. But when I looked at the properties of one of the folders, I could see it still had files in it, while the other folder contained no files. So I deleted the empty folder and now I could finally see the files in the folder. After copying the folder to an external hd, I tried to delete it from my laptop, but I get the message - could not find this item.

    I've also tried to nuke it with glary utilities file delete, but always get the same message, "Could not find the item."
    Any suggestions?

    Windows 7 64 bit
    Dell Latitude laptop
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 374
    Windows 7 Home Premium
       #2

    Run chkdsk.exe in the C:\windows\system32 folder.

    I guess I should add that the file/folder is no longer listed in the MFT.
    Running chkdsk.exe will correct the MFT and after the restart you will then be able to delete it.
    Last edited by billmcct; 02 Jan 2022 at 15:09. Reason: added info
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 14
    windows 7 64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Ran chkdsk to no avail. Still get the same message.
    Any other suggestions?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,115
    W7 home premium 32bit/W7HP 64bit/w10 tp insider ring
       #4

    hi,

    you could try this tool.. its primarilly a malware identifier program, but does have some nice added extra's including a search option
    Downloading Farbar Recovery Scan Tool



    Copy/paste the following in the Search: box

    SearchAll: foldername
    (change foldername to whatever your looking for)

    Click Search Files button
    When completed click OK and a Search.txt document will open on your desktop


    if you want to run it as AV check use the standard defaults.
    notes
    run as administrator, and install to desktop
    if there is only a file header then (X) will appear after its name
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1
    Window 10 x64
       #5

    The software I use to delete files and folders is Wise Force Deleter. It is a safe and easy file unlocker and deleter. If you are interested in it, you can try to use it to delete your folder.
    Wise Force Deleter - Unlock and Delete 'Access Denied' File or Folder (wisecleaner.com)
      My Computer


 

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