Unable to delete a file

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
9,916
2
81
So I try to delete this file on my desktop, its more like an icon now.


When I try to delete it. It says "could not find this item"

gerr
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
106
Right click on it and check its properties. Sometimes a shortcut link gets abandoned on the desktop after the host has been removed from the system.

You can also try the right click - delete option.
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
9,916
2
81
Originally posted by: corkyg
Right click on it and check its properties. Sometimes a shortcut link gets abandoned on the desktop after the host has been removed from the system.

You can also try the right click - delete option.

I already tried this many times.. I already tried 3rd party programs and nothing works.

The file is visually on my desktop I can drag it and everything but physically my computer does not find it.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
106
OK - if you right click and go Properties, it should give you the file addrewss. Make a note of it and then use Explorer and see if you can find it manually. And, do it in Safe Mode as well.

If the file exists, you should find it with Explorer - and then you can do sometyhing about it such as take ownership and delete.

And, from the Command Prompt (on boot) run CHKDSK c:\ /f /r
 

postmortemIA

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2006
7,721
40
91
what is the file name? windows is known to have trouble with files that have device name in itself, such as "COM1.txt"
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
9,916
2
81
Originally posted by: corkyg
OK - if you right click and go Properties, it should give you the file addrewss. Make a note of it and then use Explorer and see if you can find it manually. And, do it in Safe Mode as well.

If the file exists, you should find it with Explorer - and then you can do sometyhing about it such as take ownership and delete.

And, from the Command Prompt (on boot) run CHKDSK c:\ /f /r

C:\Users\Danny\Desktop

I am going to try safe mode, but when I try to delete it it will keep saying file not found.

Screen shot of error

And safe mode did not work
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
106
It still does not show the filename. C:\Users\Danny\Desktop is a series of folders. What is the filename you are looking for and trying to delete?

Your screen clip suggests you have a folder on the desktop, not a file. Have you tried deleting the folder?

 

KeithP

Diamond Member
Jun 15, 2000
5,664
201
106
You might try creating a new file by the same name and see if you can save over it. If it lets you, then try deleting the new file.

-KeithP
 

Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,046
4
81
Change your desktop background to something that will camouflage the evil icon. ;)
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
9,916
2
81
Originally posted by: KeithP
You might try creating a new file by the same name and see if you can save over it. If it lets you, then try deleting the new file.

-KeithP

I can make the new file with the same name no problem, going to try file assassin.

and I am hiding it behind my gadgets lol.
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
9,916
2
81
Ran File Assassin, and got a File not found. gerr I think I am going to boot up Ubuntu and see if I can delete it that way.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
106
OK - for the 3rd time . . . what is the filename you are dealing with? Your illustration had no filenames - only folders.

Have you tried creating a real file with the same name and saving it?
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
9,916
2
81
Originally posted by: corkyg
OK - for the 3rd time . . . what is the filename you are dealing with? Your illustration had no filenames - only folders.

Have you tried creating a real file with the same name and saving it?

Yea, I have done all that but I booted up Ubuntu Live CD and I deleted it there. No problems its gone now.

ty for all you guys help
 

Saint Nick

Lifer
Jan 21, 2005
17,722
6
81
I'll be honest, I used to have these random porn vids from KaZaA back in the day (when I was probably 16 or 17). They would download to my desktop. The file names were so long and had so many weird characters in them that the computer couldn't delete them. I had to boot up into a prompt, or just open command prompt, and delete it there.

It sucked because it was obviously a porn flick, with something ridiculous as a name such as "britney spears anal doggie 18yo with hot stud in bathroom hot sexy slut whore college eHt?¦?¦??¤??" and I NEEDED to delete it (family computer).