Solved Cannot delete o byte file that "doesn't exist"

[clemstil]

I cannot delete a file with the following file name: "CC2CB5E4." (without the quotation marks). It is 0 bytes, no file extension, the name cannot be changed, it's NOT read only, no option to change permissions, and as far as the system is concerned it doesn't exist.

I've tried all the elevated command prompt tricks suggested on this and other forums:

1. End process "explorer.exe" followed by attempting to delete CC2CB5E4. (yes, I changed to the relevant directory)
2. Tried using /P /F /S /Q /A and the * wildcard
3. Tried deleting the folder in which it resides: RD /S /Q [DRIVE:]\PATH\TO\FOLDER

Every method I try results in "The system cannot find the file specified."

FileASSASSIN and Unlocker don't work because the system doesn't recognize the file as even existing. I also tried deleting the file and its folder in safe mode. Nothing works.

Any idea what's going on here?

 

[Callender]

Maybe check this post:

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/330317-undeletable-0-byte-file.html#post2765192

 

[clemstil]

Maybe check this post:

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/330317-undeletable-0-byte-file.html#post2765192

Thanks, Callender. I've followed the instructions on the video exactly and for some reason the 8.3 names do not show up. I even tried deleting the file using the first 6 characters capitalized followed by ~1 and no luck.

 

[joeandmarg0]

Try this.
1 Left click on file,just to select it.
2.Then left click on file.
3Left click on PROPERTIES.
4.Left click on DETAILS tab.
5.At the bottom of the window,left click on"Remove properties and personal information".
6.In the new window,left click on second radio button"Remove the following properties from the file".
7In same window,left click SELECT ALL.
8.IN same window,left click O.K.
9.In DETAILS tab window,left click O.K.
10.Should now be in Recycle bin.

 

[JDobbsy1987]

Just thinking outside the box...

Maybe try booting from Hirens boot CD and select mini xp mode.
Mini XP mode will then run from disk and you will be able open "My Computer" and browse your local disc (although it may show up as a different drive letter while in mini XP).

See if you can delete it then and your Windows 7 OS isn't running to stop anything, hopefully while in mini xp it will just see "a file" and delete it.

Hirens Boot CD can be downloaded here - Download Hiren?s BootCD 15.2 | HBCD Fan & Discussion Platform
Look for the download file 'Hirens.BootCD.15.2.zip' towards the bottom of the page.

I use it all the time.

Regards,
Jamie

 

[clemstil]

joeandmarg0 and JDobbsy1987 -- thank you for your suggestions. Unfortunately, neither of them worked. Although Hiren's Boot CD should be useful for less tenacious problems that might come up in the future.

I just don't understand how this is even possible.

 

[Callender]

File Deletion

You can see the folder/ file when navigating in explorer - correct?

If that's the case other than the methods that you've already tried, here are the ones that I've used with some success in the past. You can try them if you like:

Force delete the file with UVK.

Download UVK Free

You can choose Force Delete from the right click context menu or else run UVK and use the "Delete Files & Folders" option.

If UVK cannot delete the file it will attempt to delete it on reboot and you'll see a message informing you that this is the case. If that doesn't work open up the "Run Scripts" window and type:

<Delete> then press Enter to move to the next line and then type the full path to either the folder or the file. You can get the path by navigating to the file/ folder then Shift+Right Click > Copy As Path

[EDIT] If the file is stubborn you can use the <sDelete> command instead.

<Delete> - deletes file into recycle bin.

<sDelete> - force deletes file bypassing the recycle bin.

If files cannot be deleted they will be deleted on reboot.

Don't mess about with the other features unless you understand them and need to use them.


Another powerful tool that I use is PowerTools but again it's aimed at advanced users and incorrect use of some of it's features can cause problems so it's best not to use them if you don't understand them.

Here's the downloads link for the latest versions:

Power Tool

You need PowerTool x64 V1.6 (en).zip for your 64bit machine.

   Note

EDIT: Download link removed by poster

Extract the files to a new folder on your desktop and then open the new folder and run the executable by right clicking then choosing "Run as admin"

The GUI will appear. Ignore any warnings shown in Red (if you see any) and click the "File" tab.

Then either:

Browse to the directory that you want to delete or else open that directory to ensure that it only contains one file then if you wish to delete the directory right click it and choose "Delete Directory"

If you want to delete just the file - right click and choose "Force Delete File"

Let us know if it worked for you.

 

[clemstil]

Thank you, Callender! Power Tool did the trick. At first, it looked like UVK would be successful, but both the file and folder remained after reboot.

It was weird. I deleted the file through Power Tool with no problems and then right-clicked on the folder to force delete it with UVK, which promptly put the folder in the recycling bin. But when I attempted to empty the recycling bin, it wouldn't/couldn't remove the folder. So I had to go into C:\$Recycle.Bin and delete the folder there with Power Tool.

I've never encountered a file or folder that was this difficult to delete.

And thanks to everyone who offered their help - much appreciated!

 

[Callender]

Recycle Bin - some info

Glad that you managed to sort it out!

If you like you can set Recycle Bin to delete files immediately.

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...elete-o-byte-file-doesn-t-exist-new-post.html

You could also create a new Recycle Bin if you notice any problems with it.

Recycle Bin Corrupted - Cannot Delete File or Folder

 

[LuC1F3R]

Not abling delete from UVK

Glad that you managed to sort it out!

If you like you can set Recycle Bin to delete files immediately.

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...elete-o-byte-file-doesn-t-exist-new-post.html

You could also create a new Recycle Bin if you notice any problems with it.

Recycle Bin Corrupted - Cannot Delete File or Folder

Hi, Thanks for replying UVK didnt worked out but ill try the other one
Lets see what happens .-.

 

[Critt]

File Deletion

Thank You all that posted here. I know this post is old but I ran into this same problem today and have spent about 3 hours looking for a solution. PowerTool was the answer! You can download it here if it doesn't get deleted from this post: PowerTool Download