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re: Cannot delete a file in XP Thursday, September 5, 2002 at 10:38 pm Posted by troy (139 messages posted) Try opening you recycle bin and then minimize it into the task bar. then open the location the file you are attempting to delete is, left click and hold, on the folder and drag into the minimized recycle bin which is in the task bar, hold the folder over the recycle bin untill it maximizes and then release it in the bin. That should work. Good Luck! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Friday, September 6, 2002 at 12:47 am Posted by sreenivas (4 messages posted) Hi there, delete the file from MS-DOS prompt forcing condtion ..it will work. D On Thursday, September 5, 2002 at 10:38 pm, troy wrote: >Try opening you recycle bin and then minimize it into the task bar. then open the >location the file you are attempting to delete is, left click and hold, on the folder >and drag into the minimized recycle bin which is in the task bar, hold the folder >over the recycle bin untill it maximizes and then release it in the bin. That should >work. Good Luck! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Friday, September 6, 2002 at 10:09 pm Posted by Tony (2 messages posted) MS-DOS prompt forcing condition? (I feel so stupid...told you I'm new at this) but could you or anybody out there tell me (step by step) how to do that? I don't want to mess up my system but really want this file out. When I tried to drag it into the bin as suggested on the other post I got an error message that said cannot delete file: cannot find the specified file make sure you specify the correct path or file name. (beginning to think it got corrupted somehow and now won't erase) On Friday, September 6, 2002 at 12:47 am, sreenivas wrote: > >Hi there, >delete the file from MS-DOS prompt forcing condtion ..it will work. D > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Saturday, September 7, 2002 at 10:01 pm Posted by sreenivas (4 messages posted) Hi click command prompt in the start menu accesories then change to the directory in which the file is using cd command. Then use del /f filename for deleting the file. You will be able to delete the file then.. I hope this helps.. Kosu On Friday, September 6, 2002 at 12:47 am, sreenivas wrote: > >Hi there, >delete the file from MS-DOS prompt forcing condtion ..it will work. D > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 5:45 am Posted by gold_archimedes (4 messages posted) Haha, guys, I have discovered a method that works for some "undeletable" files. Just create a text file (empty one) in another folder (other than the folder that contains that particular file). Rename the txt file to the name of the file that is not-removable. Then click and drop the newly created and named file into the folder containing the stuborn file. This will overwrite the original file with the one you have just created. Well, for all the dummies out there, this is a clean-cut method. No need to learn DOS prompt, no need to start with DOS mode.....no pain (unfortunately there will always be pain with windows around). On Saturday, September 7, 2002 at 10:01 pm, sreenivas wrote: > >Hi click command prompt in the start menu accesories then change to the directory >in which the file is using cd command. Then use del /f filename for deleting the >file. You will be able to delete the file then.. >I hope this helps.. >Kosu > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: It's possible! Friday, January 24, 2003 at 4:45 pm Posted by RobinWood (1 messages posted) "No pain", but this method won't work in most difficult cases... like invalid files names, folders within recycle bin (harckers sometimes use Norton recycler folder to store files!), or unwanted files uploaded on your FTP server. After a few hours I found a solution (I have win XP and two NTFS partitions). It should work in a few very annoying cases. At first, I've tried many things using the command (dos-like) windows of XP, then using safe mode, using rename, move, replace, check disk, ending Explorer.exe, rebooting, even changing permissions (owner), using cacls.exe, rather files utilities, etc. all had no effect. Nothing succeeded to remove strange files within my recycle bin. I could move them, but never delete them. At last I found an article on Microsoft support site. I had many file (using 2 GB of my Harddrive!) with invalid names and extension (something like 00024590.), and even no way to change files properties. Each time I tried to remove them I got the famous "Cannot find the specified file" or "invalid path", "cannot delete"... messages. If you are in the same case, try this: If the files you want to delete are on c:\temp, go click on Run in the Start Menu and launch the command windows (type: cmd). Then type exactly: del "\\?\c:\temp\FILENAME.XXX" (XXX = file extension) Confirm delete by YES. If you have many files in the same directory or if you have no valid file extension, just type: del "\\?\c:\temp\*.*" (It works! but don't forge the " ") There was one file that I could not delete. It looked exactly like others files but I cannot delete it. Fortunatly, I found an option to delete it (it's a problem related with 8.3 File names on NTFS). Just add this command option: del "\\?\c:\temp\FILENAME.XXX" /a or, if you have a few file or files with invalid extension: del "\\?\c:\temp\*.*" /a It should be OK. Then, you can remove the empty folder just using "rd" command (ex: c:\rd temp) I cannot explain what is the relation with "8.3 Files names" on NTFS and "uneradicable files". But if this last option still not work, try to desactived "8.3 files names" (it's only a registry value to change, you can find this easily on the web, or use a tweak program, like Tweak-XP pro - then, reboot and try again!). You can find more information on the Microsoft page, with a few others methods to delete unwanted files, depending on your problem: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320081 Good luck ! PS: If it does not work, and to make sure quickly that your problem has no relation with windows permissions, type the command CACLS at the root of your HD, followed by the path of the directory containing the undeletable files. Example: cacls c:\temp If your computer name is BIGBOSS, your user name Robert, you should see (at least): BIGBOSS\Robert: (OI) (CI) F The "F" means you have full access. So, there is probably no problem with permissions. You can find more info about cacls.exe commands on the web. On Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 5:45 am, gold_archimedes wrote: >Haha, guys, I have discovered a method that works for some "undeletable" files. > > >Just create a text file (empty one) in another folder (other than the folder that >contains that particular file). >Rename the txt file to the name of the file that is not-removable. Then click and >drop the newly created and named file into the folder containing the stuborn file. > >This will overwrite the original file with the one you have just created. > >Well, for all the dummies out there, this is a clean-cut method. No need to learn >DOS prompt, no need to start with DOS mode.....no pain (unfortunately there will >always be pain with windows around). > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] Your a living legend! Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 11:13 am Posted by Robbie (12 messages posted) Spent about 8 hours trying to delete this B**tard trojan that no program had even heard of. Traced it to one file but of course could not delete it. The whole del "\\?\ etc" worked first time, saving me a hell of a load of hassle. Now if only if theres a way to trace the loser that wrote it so i can send him a letterbomb, god some people need to get a life. [Reply or follow-up to this message] Bravo! Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 5:58 am Posted by jgirl (1 messages posted) thank you thank you thank you [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 1:30 am Posted by tartfromhell (1 messages posted) Hi gold, I've had an undeletable folder that's been driving me batty for weeks and just happened to stumble across this forum and your message. That @#$ folder is finally gone! You rule. Thanks :-) On Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 5:45 am, gold_archimedes wrote: >Haha, guys, I have discovered a method that works for some "undeletable" files. > > >Just create a text file (empty one) in another folder (other than the folder that >contains that particular file). >Rename the txt file to the name of the file that is not-removable. Then click and >drop the newly created and named file into the folder containing the stuborn file. > >This will overwrite the original file with the one you have just created. > >Well, for all the dummies out there, this is a clean-cut method. No need to learn >DOS prompt, no need to start with DOS mode.....no pain (unfortunately there will >always be pain with windows around). > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 1:44 pm Posted by Lampje (1 messages posted) I tried a lot of things to remove the frigg'n file.. but nothing helps not even the "\\?\\..... you described. The file was created during an error in drag 'n drop under XP. Something to do with the 'fact' that the file is in use by another program/user. NOT! several days and reboots later is still won't budge. HELP ME PLEASE. (it is a 2GB avi i captured of my camcorder) [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 4:30 pm Posted by Mnemonic (1 messages posted) I had 2GB avi file myself too, i went to dos prompt and typed: del d:\file.avi /a. Worked just fine. On Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 1:44 pm, Lampje wrote: >I tried a lot of things to remove the frigg'n file.. but nothing helps not even the >"\\?\\..... you described. The file was created during an error in drag 'n drop under >XP. Something to do with the 'fact' that the file is in use by another program/user. >NOT! several days and reboots later is still won't budge. >HELP ME PLEASE. (it is a 2GB avi i captured of my camcorder) [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Friday, May 30, 2003 at 12:02 am Posted by Brian (1 messages posted) BRAVO SIR! BRAVO! I don't know how you figured that out, but that was brilliant. When I first read you solution, I didn't think you knew what you were talking about (assuming that if I couldn't delete it, I wasn't gonna have much luck replacing it). But to my delight and astonishment, it worked perfectly. Again, nice job. On Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 5:45 am, gold_archimedes wrote: >Haha, guys, I have discovered a method that works for some "undeletable" files. > > >Just create a text file (empty one) in another folder (other than the folder that >contains that particular file). >Rename the txt file to the name of the file that is not-removable. Then click and >drop the newly created and named file into the folder containing the stuborn file. > >This will overwrite the original file with the one you have just created. > >Well, for all the dummies out there, this is a clean-cut method. No need to learn >DOS prompt, no need to start with DOS mode.....no pain (unfortunately there will >always be pain with windows around). > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Thursday, June 19, 2003 at 1:58 am Posted by Crono (1 messages posted) I came across this thread and this method was so simple i can't believe it worked!!! That one file was really irritating me. Freakin amazing man...good job to you!! On Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 5:45 am, gold_archimedes wrote: >Haha, guys, I have discovered a method that works for some "undeletable" files. > > >Just create a text file (empty one) in another folder (other than the folder that >contains that particular file). >Rename the txt file to the name of the file that is not-removable. Then click and >drop the newly created and named file into the folder containing the stuborn file. > >This will overwrite the original file with the one you have just created. > >Well, for all the dummies out there, this is a clean-cut method. No need to learn >DOS prompt, no need to start with DOS mode.....no pain (unfortunately there will >always be pain with windows around). > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Saturday, June 21, 2003 at 11:41 am Posted by Imran (1 messages posted) Thank you gold_archimedes the Frikkin 712Mb file has been plaguing me for ages taking up valuable space... now its gone. thanks. On Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 5:45 am, gold_archimedes wrote: >Haha, guys, I have discovered a method that works for some "undeletable" files. > > >Just create a text file (empty one) in another folder (other than the folder that >contains that particular file). >Rename the txt file to the name of the file that is not-removable. Then click and >drop the newly created and named file into the folder containing the stuborn file. > >This will overwrite the original file with the one you have just created. > >Well, for all the dummies out there, this is a clean-cut method. No need to learn >DOS prompt, no need to start with DOS mode.....no pain (unfortunately there will >always be pain with windows around). > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Sunday, June 22, 2003 at 11:10 am Posted by alex (1 messages posted) Hello, When the file is in use by another program or user it is probably by explorer.exe (corrupted by copy cd with bad block on it or ....) You just open taskmanager and end the process tree explorer, be sure to select tree ... Jou see no more icons on your desktop ... Push alt+control+delete and run cmd. In the dos session type the following c:\ del "c:\foldername\filetobedeleted.xxx" after you reopen explorer from the tasmanager (browse in the windows folder for explorer.exe) Icons back and check if the file in question is deleted. That's how i solved this issue ... Hope it helps you... A On Thursday, September 5, 2002 at 10:12 pm, Tony wrote: >Totally new at this but I have a file that won't delete but doesn't even give me >an error message. Just sits there doing nothing. Can highlight file, but when right >click, all I get is options to open, send or move file, but no delete command. Suggestions? >I am totally stuck here. Any help would be appreciated. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Monday, June 23, 2003 at 9:02 am Posted by simo (2 messages posted) Thanks very much...i have been trying for ages to get rid of a file and now you have showed me how to do it. Thanks again On Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 5:45 am, gold_archimedes wrote: >Haha, guys, I have discovered a method that works for some "undeletable" files. > > >Just create a text file (empty one) in another folder (other than the folder that >contains that particular file). >Rename the txt file to the name of the file that is not-removable. Then click and >drop the newly created and named file into the folder containing the stuborn file. > >This will overwrite the original file with the one you have just created. > >Well, for all the dummies out there, this is a clean-cut method. No need to learn >DOS prompt, no need to start with DOS mode.....no pain (unfortunately there will >always be pain with windows around). > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Saturday, June 28, 2003 at 7:16 am Posted by blingbling (1 messages posted) I had a 700Gb file which I couldn't delete because of "in use by other file". Chkdsk did not show error, however filemanager getting very slow and continually taking more memory (as seen in taskmgr). Tried using the renaming method, the cmd prompt and forced del method as per this thread with no luck. Alex's method of killing explorer, forced del at cmd prompt (and then reboot from taskmgr) worked, and now filemanager back to speed as well. Thanks Alex! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Saturday, July 5, 2003 at 12:00 pm Posted by mark (2 messages posted) Ha, omg i figured it out.....you know when u are in explorer and EVERYTIME u click on a new avi file a mini window of it pops up on the bottom left....if not click on a pop down mnei called Details, and then try and delete the file......i realized the program or "other user" that was using the file was merely that mini version of the avi....this happens with most avi s so just click on "Details" so it displays info on the vid file or whatever then delete :) On Saturday, June 28, 2003 at 7:16 am, blingbling wrote: > > >I had a 700Gb file which I couldn't delete because of "in use by other file". Chkdsk >did not show error, however filemanager getting very slow and continually taking >more memory (as seen in taskmgr). >Tried using the renaming method, the cmd prompt and forced del method as per this >thread with no luck. >Alex's method of killing explorer, forced del at cmd prompt (and then reboot from >taskmgr) worked, and now filemanager back to speed as well. Thanks Alex! [Reply or follow-up to this message] File deletion error - XP W98 *$#!! Thursday, July 10, 2003 at 12:51 am Posted by Barrie J (15 messages posted) Hi....Some Good tips here, but Ive got one stumping me. It started on my old HDD with Win98SE - empty recycle bin and at finish I get a 'cannot delete RRAAoooo - Cannot find the specified file'. Couldnt track it thru DOS or anything, but I suspect an install of WINRAR might be to blame. Last week I set up a brand new HDD with XP, now the same message is back (and yes, Winrar was installed). This 'File' has no extension, doesnt show in Recycle window....does it really exist???? Anyone got any suggestions?? Baz On Saturday, July 5, 2003 at 12:00 pm, mark wrote: >Ha, omg i figured it out.....you know when u are in explorer and EVERYTIME u click >on a new avi file a mini window of it pops up on the bottom left....if not click >on a pop down mnei called Details, and then try and delete the file......i realized >the program or "other user" that was using the file was merely that mini version >of the avi....this happens with most avi >s so just click on "Details" so it displays info on the vid file or whatever then >delete :) > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: File deletion error - XP W98 *$#!! Monday, July 14, 2003 at 4:19 am Posted by Barrie J (15 messages posted) Further to my last query - found the offending files...they are not in XP at all (so cant blame Winrar) - they are in a subdirectory of the old Win98 recycle bin on my 2nd drive - appeared when I installed it. Got to the folder via DOS, two files in in it - the RRAAoooo.ooo one plus another with hieroglyphics. Cant get rid of them or folder as yet - tried several of above tricks with no success. Any suggestions???? Cheers Barrie On Thursday, July 10, 2003 at 12:51 am, Barrie J W wrote: >Hi....Some Good tips here, but Ive got one stumping me. It started on my old HDD >with Win98SE - empty recycle bin and at finish I get a 'cannot delete RRAAoooo - >Cannot find the specified file'. Couldnt track it thru DOS or anything, but I suspect >an install of WINRAR might be to blame. Last week I set up a brand new HDD with >XP, now the same message is back (and yes, Winrar was installed). This 'File' has >no extension, doesnt show in Recycle window....does it really exist???? Anyone got >any suggestions?? >Baz > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: File deletion error - XP W98 *$#!! Tuesday, July 15, 2003 at 6:32 pm Posted by Juan (2 messages posted) Sounds like a virus.... But anyway have you tried removing the directory they are in? That should work. Or maybe go to symantec's website and have it scan your computer while you sleep. Or backup your stuff and fdisk the bastard. On Monday, July 14, 2003 at 4:19 am, Barrie J W wrote: >Further to my last query - found the offending files...they are not in XP at all >(so cant blame Winrar) - they are in a subdirectory of the old Win98 recycle bin >on my 2nd drive - appeared when I installed it. Got to the folder via DOS, two files >in in it - the RRAAoooo.ooo one plus another with hieroglyphics. Cant get rid of >them or folder as yet - tried several of above tricks with no success. Any suggestions???? >Cheers >Barrie > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: File deletion error - XP W98 *$#!! Wednesday, July 16, 2003 at 1:18 am Posted by Barrie J (15 messages posted) Ta Juan - AV is all clear, but not to say an earlier bug might have caused it. Files are in a subdir of Recycle Bin (ex W98) - tried removing it & files via methods in this thread, but no go. Might try connecting that drive alone (no OS on it), boot from floppy and see if I can wack it that way. XP treats it as protected. Its a 60Gb HDD with heap of data on, so Fdisk will be last resort..... Barrie On Tuesday, July 15, 2003 at 6:32 pm, Juan wrote: >Sounds like a virus.... >But anyway have you tried removing the directory they are in? >That should work. Or maybe go to symantec's website and have it scan your computer >while you sleep. >Or backup your stuff and fdisk the bastard. > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: File deletion error - XP W98 *$#!! Friday, July 18, 2003 at 4:56 pm Posted by Juan (2 messages posted) If you have the CD to boot from, I guess that would be the way to go. Or if you have another hard drive, even a 1 gig, install a token OS and connect your 60 gig as a slave. Boot and destroy. That should work too. On Wednesday, July 16, 2003 at 1:18 am, Barrie J W wrote: >Ta Juan - AV is all clear, but not to say an earlier bug might have caused it. Files >are in a subdir of Recycle Bin (ex W98) - tried removing it & files via methods in >this thread, but no go. Might try connecting that drive alone (no OS on it), boot >from floppy and see if I can wack it that way. XP treats it as protected. Its a >60Gb HDD with heap of data on, so Fdisk will be last resort..... >Barrie > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Sunday, July 27, 2003 at 12:04 am Posted by Antony (1 messages posted) Hi Bling Bling. I have the same problem. However I am not clear on the exact wording need when I run CMD. I have tried to follow what Alex stated but that doesn't work. If you can give me the exact wording please I would be grateful. The offending file is in My Documents. Thanks On Saturday, June 28, 2003 at 7:16 am, blingbling wrote: > > >I had a 700Gb file which I couldn't delete because of "in use by other file". Chkdsk >did not show error, however filemanager getting very slow and continually taking >more memory (as seen in taskmgr). >Tried using the renaming method, the cmd prompt and forced del method as per this >thread with no luck. >Alex's method of killing explorer, forced del at cmd prompt (and then reboot from >taskmgr) worked, and now filemanager back to speed as well. Thanks Alex! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 7:45 am Posted by Kerry Berg (1 messages posted) Hi, Tried it all. The below file is in my root, can't delete, move, cut, paste, attribs, nothing. Hard drive is NTFS, OS XP, Operator stumped. I tried to delete fro DOS prompt but I do not know how to type in the funny characters used in order to delete it? It's not doing anything to my system, just sits there in the root, can't delet it. mzÉ. On Sunday, July 27, 2003 at 12:04 am, Antony wrote: >Hi Bling Bling. I have the same problem. However I am not clear on the exact wording >need when I run CMD. I have tried to follow what Alex stated but that doesn't work. >If you can give me the exact wording please I would be grateful. The offending file >is in My Documents. Thanks > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 3:15 pm Posted by RevBlackie (2 messages posted) I have a similar problem. I have about 3GB of files that were created after XP did a chkdsk following a crash. I think the files are partially downloaded .avi files, ranging in size from about 576K to 674MB. When chkdsk ran, I started getting messages about files being truncated -- didn't pay that much attention at the time, but when I got back in, I realized I had 13 files on my computer that had bizarre filenames, which couldn't be deleted. The names have odd characters, and are things like: ╙g n÷ - and- Æ I don't even know how to type in characters like this (I cut and pasted from the filenames -- don't know if they'll actually show up in the post). These files cannot be cut, copied, deleted or renamed, and the folder they are in cannot be deleted, either. One of the weirdest things about it is that the files have "Date Modified" dates ranging from 8/12/1995 to 10/21/2107. Maybe 100 years from now, these will be common filenames... Any suggestion for getting rid of these b*stards, other than formatting the whole hard drive??? On Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 7:45 am, Kerry Berg wrote: >Hi, Tried it all. The below file is in my root, can't delete, move, cut, paste, attribs, >nothing. > >Hard drive is NTFS, OS XP, Operator stumped. > >I tried to delete fro DOS prompt but I do not know how to type in the funny characters >used in order to delete it? It's not doing anything to my system, just sits there >in the root, can't delet it. > >mzÉ. > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Thursday, July 31, 2003 at 1:30 pm Posted by Tobin (1 messages posted) I have a solution. reboot in safe mode, does not need to be a command prompt. locate the file highlight the file and right click, select Properties You will notice that you now have a Security tab that is not available in the normally running version of XP. Select the Security tab Simply check the box: Enable Changes Apply delete the file as you normally would, it has returned back to normal... Enjoy, Tobin On Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 3:15 pm, RevBlackie wrote: >I have a similar problem. > >I have about 3GB of files that were created after XP did a chkdsk following a crash. > I think the files are partially downloaded .avi files, ranging in size from about >576K to 674MB. When chkdsk ran, I started getting messages about files being truncated >-- didn't pay that much attention at the time, but when I got back in, I realized >I had 13 files on my computer that had bizarre filenames, which couldn't be deleted. > The names have odd characters, and are things like: > >╙g >n÷ >- and- >Æ > >I don't even know how to type in characters like this (I cut and pasted from the >filenames -- don't know if they'll actually show up in the post). These files cannot >be cut, copied, deleted or renamed, and the folder they are in cannot be deleted, >either. One of the weirdest things about it is that the files have "Date Modified" >dates ranging from 8/12/1995 to 10/21/2107. Maybe 100 years from now, these will >be common filenames... > >Any suggestion for getting rid of these b*stards, other than formatting the whole >hard drive??? > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Thursday, July 31, 2003 at 5:16 pm Posted by RevBlackie (2 messages posted) Good try, but no dice. I booted up in safe mode as suggested, went into My Computer, found the files, right clicked, selected properties and... No security tab. Just the regular stuff that's always there. I'm running XP Professional...am I missing something here? On Thursday, July 31, 2003 at 1:30 pm, Tobin wrote: >I have a solution. > >reboot in safe mode, does not need to be a command prompt. > >locate the file > >highlight the file and right click, select Properties > >You will notice that you now have a Security tab that is not available in the normally >running version of XP. > >Select the Security tab > >Simply check the box: Enable Changes >Apply >delete the file as you normally would, it has returned back to normal... > > >Enjoy, > >Tobin > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: It's possible! Saturday, August 2, 2003 at 5:07 am Posted by Mark Schacht (2 messages posted) You are absolutely brilliant. The overwrite method works like a charm. On Friday, January 24, 2003 at 4:45 pm, RobinWood wrote: >"No pain", but this method won't work in most difficult cases... like invalid files >names, folders within recycle bin (harckers sometimes use Norton recycler folder >to store files!), or unwanted files uploaded on your FTP server. > >After a few hours I found a solution (I have win XP and two NTFS partitions). It >should work in a few very annoying cases. At first, I've tried many things using >the command (dos-like) windows of XP, then using safe mode, using rename, move, replace, >check disk, ending Explorer.exe, rebooting, even changing permissions (owner), using >cacls.exe, rather files utilities, etc. all had no effect. Nothing succeeded to remove >strange files within my recycle bin. I could move them, but never delete them. At >last I found an article on Microsoft support site. I had many file (using 2 GB of >my Harddrive!) with invalid names and extension (something like 00024590.), and even >no way to change files properties. Each time I tried to remove them I got the famous >"Cannot find the specified file" or "invalid path", "cannot delete"... messages. >If you are in the same case, try this: >If the files you want to delete are on c:\temp, go click on Run in the Start Menu >and launch the command windows (type: cmd). Then type exactly: >del "\\?\c:\temp\FILENAME.XXX" (XXX = file extension) >Confirm delete by YES. If you have many files in the same directory or if you have >no valid file extension, just type: >del "\\?\c:\temp\*.*" >(It works! but don't forge the " ") >There was one file that I could not delete. It looked exactly like others files but >I cannot delete it. Fortunatly, I found an option to delete it (it's a problem related >with 8.3 File names on NTFS). Just add this command option: >del "\\?\c:\temp\FILENAME.XXX" /a >or, if you have a few file or files with invalid extension: >del "\\?\c:\temp\*.*" /a >It should be OK. Then, you can remove the empty folder just using "rd" command (ex: >c:\rd temp) >I cannot explain what is the relation with "8.3 Files names" on NTFS and "uneradicable >files". But if this last option still not work, try to desactived "8.3 files names" >(it's only a registry value to change, you can find this easily on the web, or use >a tweak program, like Tweak-XP pro - then, reboot and try again!). > >You can find more information on the Microsoft page, with a few others methods to >delete unwanted files, depending on your problem: >http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320081 > >Good luck ! >PS: If it does not work, and to make sure quickly that your problem has no relation >with windows permissions, type the command CACLS at the root of your HD, followed >by the path of the directory containing the undeletable files. Example: >cacls c:\temp >If your computer name is BIGBOSS, your user name Robert, you should see (at least): >BIGBOSS\Robert: (OI) (CI) F >The "F" means you have full access. So, there is probably no problem with permissions. >You can find more info about cacls.exe commands on the web. > [Reply or follow-up to this message] !re: Cannot delete a file in XP! Sunday, August 3, 2003 at 3:06 pm Posted by Penguin Face (1 messages posted) What about 0 byte files that don't have an extension?? [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Wednesday, August 6, 2003 at 2:10 pm Posted by js (2 messages posted) Another way around this completely friggin' idiotic astronomically absurd bunch of bull krap is to take the friggin' drive out or if firewire plug it into a Macintosh (firewire or IDE) the mac sees just another weird file and is oblivious to any directory like crap , then smartbomb the assinine file like a muthah. Then plug the drive back into your PC. Et Voila! [Reply or follow-up to this message] Using my Network to crack this puppy Wednesday, August 6, 2003 at 2:29 pm Posted by js (2 messages posted) OK, Perhaps in my total utter disgust over this nightmare, I was a little hasty in assuming my below solution might be a solution indeed, but NOOOO, another snag, but I found the solution serendipitously! Read on only if you have a home network....Using my Mac and PC networked together, I made the un-delete able file a 'shared' file by going to properties and selected "share" this folder (in which the damned file resides.....I also selected "allow network users to change my files", then I went over to my Mac and pulled up the shared folder and friggin file and couldn't delete the file, but I COULD DELETE THE FOLDER THE FILE RESIDES IN! OUT OUT Damned spot! On Wednesday, August 6, 2003 at 2:10 pm, js wrote: >Another way around this completely friggin' idiotic astronomically absurd bunch of >bull krap is to take the friggin' drive out or if firewire plug it into a Macintosh >(firewire or IDE) the mac sees just another weird file and is oblivious to any directory >like crap , then smartbomb the assinine file like a muthah. Then plug the drive back >into your PC. >Et Voila! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Monday, August 25, 2003 at 7:39 am Posted by Mario (1 messages posted) I had the same problem. This helped. However, the filenames I could not delete were about 100 characters long. So, I transferred the good files to a temporary folder, then went into the command prompt, went to the right directory, and typed "del /f *.*" Worked like a charm. Thanks for your help On Saturday, September 7, 2002 at 10:01 pm, sreenivas wrote: > >Hi click command prompt in the start menu accesories then change to the directory >in which the file is using cd command. Then use del /f filename for deleting the >file. You will be able to delete the file then.. >I hope this helps.. >Kosu > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Wednesday, August 27, 2003 at 6:44 am Posted by Martijn (1 messages posted) Hi, I have the same problem and need a solution to prevent this in the future. I know however how to delete the file! Explorer locks the file. So open TaskManager, on the processes tab, kill the explorer process. Now in the File menu, choose Run and type CMD.EXE. Now you can delete the file from the command promp. When finished deleting, choos File - Run and type Explorer to restart the desktop. On Thursday, July 31, 2003 at 5:16 pm, RevBlackie wrote: >Good try, but no dice. I booted up in safe mode as suggested, went into My Computer, >found the files, right clicked, selected properties and... No security tab. Just >the regular stuff that's always there. I'm running XP Professional...am I missing >something here? > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Saturday, August 30, 2003 at 9:13 am Posted by Carlos (1 messages posted) You cannot believe the time that I lost trying to delete a file... And, again it was so simple!! But, still, I cannot understand why this strange but simple method works, and all the others fails. I tried to change the proprieties of the file and folder, and a lot of others things, but with no avail. Thank You so much, for your wisdom!! Carlos P.S.: I think that these procedure came from the mac aplications, originally... On Thursday, September 5, 2002 at 10:38 pm, troy wrote: >Try opening you recycle bin and then minimize it into the task bar. then open the >location the file you are attempting to delete is, left click and hold, on the folder >and drag into the minimized recycle bin which is in the task bar, hold the folder >over the recycle bin untill it maximizes and then release it in the bin. That should >work. Good Luck! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Sunday, August 31, 2003 at 12:24 pm Posted by jose (1 messages posted) I tried Alex' method with one small difference (and I tried thismethod after trying just about every other method suggested, i.e. reboot safe mode, drag to recycling bin, etc) 1. close all open programs 2. open task manager 3. go to processes tab 4. end explorer.exe process (all your icons should disappear) 5. go to applications tab 6. click on new task button 7. type cmd and hit enter 8. delete the file in the dos prompt ***when deleting the file, make SURE to put quotation marks around the name and/or full path of the file - I tried to delete the file without quotation marks and it did not work. On Thursday, September 5, 2002 at 10:12 pm, Tony wrote: >Totally new at this but I have a file that won't delete but doesn't even give me >an error message. Just sits there doing nothing. Can highlight file, but when right >click, all I get is options to open, send or move file, but no delete command. Suggestions? >I am totally stuck here. Any help would be appreciated. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Friday, September 5, 2003 at 9:14 am Posted by Ken (1 messages posted) Running XP Pro / NTFS file system None of the above or below suggestions worked for me. I ended up going into Safe Mode, pressed Cont/Alt/Del and ended the Explorer process. Then, I went to File/New Process and typed in: cmd Then, I navigated to the folder that had the bad files, and typed: chkdsk /f I had to agree to dismount the drive (or something like that, to disable file handles), but when it was all over, the files were then deletable by typing: del *.* (BE SURE YOU'RE IN THE OFFENDING FOLDER) Voila, all bad files gone. Hope this helps someone ~ K On Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 3:15 pm, RevBlackie wrote: >I have a similar problem. > >I have about 3GB of files that were created after XP did a chkdsk following a crash. > I think the files are partially downloaded .avi files, ranging in size from about >576K to 674MB. When chkdsk ran, I started getting messages about files being truncated >-- didn't pay that much attention at the time, but when I got back in, I realized >I had 13 files on my computer that had bizarre filenames, which couldn't be deleted. > The names have odd characters, and are things like: > >╙g >n÷ >- and- >Æ > >I don't even know how to type in characters like this (I cut and pasted from the >filenames -- don't know if they'll actually show up in the post). These files cannot >be cut, copied, deleted or renamed, and the folder they are in cannot be deleted, >either. One of the weirdest things about it is that the files have "Date Modified" >dates ranging from 8/12/1995 to 10/21/2107. Maybe 100 years from now, these will >be common filenames... > >Any suggestion for getting rid of these b*stards, other than formatting the whole >hard drive??? > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 3:22 pm Posted by C Shackleton (6 messages posted) Try creating a small avi file with the same name in a separate folder of the same name in a different directory, then drag this folder into the directory containing your large undeletable file. (Remove any files you want to keep from this folder first). Click OK to proceed when it warns you about files being replaced. With luck, you'll be able to delete the new file afterwards, or, like me, be left with a smaller undeletable file until you figure out some way to get rid of it permanently.(Mine is an MP3 with a too-long filename) On Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 1:44 pm, Lampje wrote: >I tried a lot of things to remove the frigg'n file.. but nothing helps not even the >"\\?\\..... you described. The file was created during an error in drag 'n drop under >XP. Something to do with the 'fact' that the file is in use by another program/user. >NOT! several days and reboots later is still won't budge. >HELP ME PLEASE. (it is a 2GB avi i captured of my camcorder) [Reply or follow-up to this message] uau Monday, February 9, 2004 at 2:11 am Posted by tartar (18 messages posted) Uau, the sucker is no longer there, I was even watching him to DIE. I had my explorer with the file open when IT happened. The sucker was REALLY annoying, everytime I tried to do something with it, my comp slowed down to crawl. Frustrating. Restarting. Trying. Frustrated again until now. Yehaaaa. THANKS. On Friday, January 24, 2003 at 4:45 pm, RobinWood wrote: >"No pain", but this method won't work in most difficult cases... like invalid files >names, folders within recycle bin (harckers sometimes use Norton recycler folder >to store files!), or unwanted files uploaded on your FTP server. > >After a few hours I found a solution (I have win XP and two NTFS partitions). It >should work in a few very annoying cases. At first, I've tried many things using >the command (dos-like) windows of XP, then using safe mode, using rename, move, replace, >check disk, ending Explorer.exe, rebooting, even changing permissions (owner), using >cacls.exe, rather files utilities, etc. all had no effect. Nothing succeeded to remove >strange files within my recycle bin. I could move them, but never delete them. At >last I found an article on Microsoft support site. I had many file (using 2 GB of >my Harddrive!) with invalid names and extension (something like 00024590.), and even >no way to change files properties. Each time I tried to remove them I got the famous >"Cannot find the specified file" or "invalid path", "cannot delete"... messages. >If you are in the same case, try this: >If the files you want to delete are on c:\temp, go click on Run in the Start Menu >and launch the command windows (type: cmd). Then type exactly: >del "\\?\c:\temp\FILENAME.XXX" (XXX = file extension) >Confirm delete by YES. If you have many files in the same directory or if you have >no valid file extension, just type: >del "\\?\c:\temp\*.*" >(It works! but don't forge the " ") >There was one file that I could not delete. It looked exactly like others files but >I cannot delete it. Fortunatly, I found an option to delete it (it's a problem related >with 8.3 File names on NTFS). Just add this command option: >del "\\?\c:\temp\FILENAME.XXX" /a >or, if you have a few file or files with invalid extension: >del "\\?\c:\temp\*.*" /a >It should be OK. Then, you can remove the empty folder just using "rd" command (ex: >c:\rd temp) >I cannot explain what is the relation with "8.3 Files names" on NTFS and "uneradicable >files". But if this last option still not work, try to desactived "8.3 files names" >(it's only a registry value to change, you can find this easily on the web, or use >a tweak program, like Tweak-XP pro - then, reboot and try again!). > >You can find more information on the Microsoft page, with a few others methods to >delete unwanted files, depending on your problem: >http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320081 > >Good luck ! >PS: If it does not work, and to make sure quickly that your problem has no relation >with windows permissions, type the command CACLS at the root of your HD, followed >by the path of the directory containing the undeletable files. Example: >cacls c:\temp >If your computer name is BIGBOSS, your user name Robert, you should see (at least): >BIGBOSS\Robert: (OI) (CI) F >The "F" means you have full access. So, there is probably no problem with permissions. >You can find more info about cacls.exe commands on the web. > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: uau Tuesday, August 17, 2004 at 8:36 pm Posted by electroguy (1 messages posted) Hello... If this helps anyone... I've had this problem and none of the aforementioned techniques worked, so I got to thinking about my old DOS days and a thought occured to me: YOU CANNOT SEE UNPRINTABLE CHARACTERS IN A FILE NAME!!! There are many extended character codes, any of which can find it's way into a file name, either by corruption or naming directly. If you try to delete file with unprintable characters by spelling out the file name without wild cards, it will not find the file, logically. So, I decided to go to the folder where the file I was trying to delete unsuccessfully was located, through a command prompt, and type the following command: del filename*.* /a ...where "filename" is the path and/or name of the file. Example: del c:\temp\myfile*.* (or del myfile*.*, if you're aleady in the folder where the file resides). That worked like a charm!!! I hope this helps some poor soul who has tried other methods unsuccessfully. Jim On Monday, February 9, 2004 at 2:11 am, tartar wrote: >Uau, the sucker is no longer there, I was even watching him to DIE. I had my explorer >with the file open when IT happened. >The sucker was REALLY annoying, everytime I tried to do something with it, my comp >slowed down to crawl. Frustrating. Restarting. Trying. Frustrated again until now. >Yehaaaa. THANKS. > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: It's possible! Saturday, December 18, 2004 at 2:45 pm Posted by Steve C (1 messages posted) I, too, was vexed--until I stumbled across an almost obscenely simple fix: Simply rename the enclosing folder for the offending file. (I figured this out when I ran into a "file name too long" error while applying RobinWood's del "\\?\c:[etc.] fix--which, by the way, also worked for me.) Let me know if the "rename file" works for you too, or am I the only lucky one? On Friday, January 24, 2003 at 4:45 pm, RobinWood wrote: > >"No pain", but this method won't work in most difficult cases... like invalid files >names, folders within recycle bin (harckers sometimes use Norton recycler folder >to store files!), or unwanted files uploaded on your FTP server. > >After a few hours I found a solution (I have win XP and two NTFS partitions). It >should work in a few very annoying cases. At first, I've tried many things using >the command (dos-like) windows of XP, then using safe mode, using rename, move, replace, >check disk, ending Explorer.exe, rebooting, even changing permissions (owner), using >cacls.exe, rather files utilities, etc. all had no effect. Nothing succeeded to remove >strange files within my recycle bin. I could move them, but never delete them. At >last I found an article on Microsoft support site. I had many file (using 2 GB of >my Harddrive!) with invalid names and extension (something like 00024590.), and even >no way to change files properties. Each time I tried to remove them I got the famous >"Cannot find the specified file" or "invalid path", "cannot delete"... messages. >If you are in the same case, try this: >If the files you want to delete are on c:\temp, go click on Run in the Start Menu >and launch the command windows (type: cmd). Then type exactly: >del "\\?\c:\temp\FILENAME.XXX" (XXX = file extension) >Confirm delete by YES. If you have many files in the same directory or if you have >no valid file extension, just type: >del "\\?\c:\temp\*.*" >(It works! but don't forge the " ") >There was one file that I could not delete. It looked exactly like others files but >I cannot delete it. Fortunatly, I found an option to delete it (it's a problem related >with 8.3 File names on NTFS). Just add this command option: >del "\\?\c:\temp\FILENAME.XXX" /a >or, if you have a few file or files with invalid extension: >del "\\?\c:\temp\*.*" /a >It should be OK. Then, you can remove the empty folder just using "rd" command (ex: >c:\rd temp) >I cannot explain what is the relation with "8.3 Files names" on NTFS and "uneradicable >files". But if this last option still not work, try to desactived "8.3 files names" >(it's only a registry value to change, you can find this easily on the web, or use >a tweak program, like Tweak-XP pro - then, reboot and try again!). > >You can find more information on the Microsoft page, with a few others methods to >delete unwanted files, depending on your problem: >http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320081 > >Good luck ! >PS: If it does not work, and to make sure quickly that your problem has no relation >with windows permissions, type the command CACLS at the root of your HD, followed >by the path of the directory containing the undeletable files. Example: >cacls c:\temp >If your computer name is BIGBOSS, your user name Robert, you should see (at least): >BIGBOSS\Robert: (OI) (CI) F >The "F" means you have full access. So, there is probably no problem with permissions. >You can find more info about cacls.exe commands on the web. > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 2:11 am Posted by samuel (1 messages posted) true, and the dummies file was deleted as well window is just so stupid! On Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 5:45 am, gold_archimedes wrote: >Haha, guys, I have discovered a method that works for some "undeletable" files. > > >Just create a text file (empty one) in another folder (other than the folder that >contains that particular file). >Rename the txt file to the name of the file that is not-removable. Then click and >drop the newly created and named file into the folder containing the stuborn file. > >This will overwrite the original file with the one you have just created. > >Well, for all the dummies out there, this is a clean-cut method. No need to learn >DOS prompt, no need to start with DOS mode.....no pain (unfortunately there will >always be pain with windows around). > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 10:50 am Posted by JM (1 messages posted) Hey Guys..I am no bill gates and if i was i would do exactly as he does - annoy ppl with my software--about this creating a text file, renaming it and overwriting the "undeletable file"....thanks to the maestro proposing this I ended up with two different files with the same name in two folders ..with both being "undeletabble". Only way i could get rid of it was through booting up with command prompt only and deleting through the "del" command. That is typing the long bloody path to the directory and the long bloody filename. Just as a matter of interest, it seems to have nothing to do with permissions and seems some programme is actually using the file although windows task manager shows only windows explorer running if u use windows explorer to delete the file. Maybe MS needs to sort this problem out since so many ppl seem to experience it. Let's mail them. A lot of mails should draw their attention to it? I would rather get rid of the cause than the symptoms. Take care all. On Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 2:11 am, samuel wrote: > >true, and the dummies file was deleted as well >window is just so stupid! > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: It's possible! Friday, February 11, 2005 at 3:45 am Posted by Rick (1 messages posted) WORKED THE FIRST TIME, GREAT ADVISE! On Friday, January 24, 2003 at 4:45 pm, RobinWood wrote: > >"No pain", but this method won't work in most difficult cases... like invalid files >names, folders within recycle bin (harckers sometimes use Norton recycler folder >to store files!), or unwanted files uploaded on your FTP server. > >After a few hours I found a solution (I have win XP and two NTFS partitions). It >should work in a few very annoying cases. At first, I've tried many things using >the command (dos-like) windows of XP, then using safe mode, using rename, move, replace, >check disk, ending Explorer.exe, rebooting, even changing permissions (owner), using >cacls.exe, rather files utilities, etc. all had no effect. Nothing succeeded to remove >strange files within my recycle bin. I could move them, but never delete them. At >last I found an article on Microsoft support site. I had many file (using 2 GB of >my Harddrive!) with invalid names and extension (something like 00024590.), and even >no way to change files properties. Each time I tried to remove them I got the famous >"Cannot find the specified file" or "invalid path", "cannot delete"... messages. >If you are in the same case, try this: >If the files you want to delete are on c:\temp, go click on Run in the Start Menu >and launch the command windows (type: cmd). Then type exactly: >del "\\?\c:\temp\FILENAME.XXX" (XXX = file extension) >Confirm delete by YES. If you have many files in the same directory or if you have >no valid file extension, just type: >del "\\?\c:\temp\*.*" >(It works! but don't forge the " ") >There was one file that I could not delete. It looked exactly like others files but >I cannot delete it. Fortunatly, I found an option to delete it (it's a problem related >with 8.3 File names on NTFS). Just add this command option: >del "\\?\c:\temp\FILENAME.XXX" /a >or, if you have a few file or files with invalid extension: >del "\\?\c:\temp\*.*" /a >It should be OK. Then, you can remove the empty folder just using "rd" command (ex: >c:\rd temp) >I cannot explain what is the relation with "8.3 Files names" on NTFS and "uneradicable >files". But if this last option still not work, try to desactived "8.3 files names" >(it's only a registry value to change, you can find this easily on the web, or use >a tweak program, like Tweak-XP pro - then, reboot and try again!). > >You can find more information on the Microsoft page, with a few others methods to >delete unwanted files, depending on your problem: >http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320081 > >Good luck ! >PS: If it does not work, and to make sure quickly that your problem has no relation >with windows permissions, type the command CACLS at the root of your HD, followed >by the path of the directory containing the undeletable files. Example: >cacls c:\temp >If your computer name is BIGBOSS, your user name Robert, you should see (at least): >BIGBOSS\Robert: (OI) (CI) F >The "F" means you have full access. So, there is probably no problem with permissions. >You can find more info about cacls.exe commands on the web. > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Thursday, March 10, 2005 at 9:14 am Posted by sherman (1 messages posted) A great comercial utility is the Omnixray disk editor. www.omnixray.com For NTFS files, you can edit the MFT 'in use' atribute for the file. This will tell Windoze to delete the file. I had some corrupt files that I could not delete or even access. With omnixray I could copy the files, or set the attribute to delete. On Thursday, September 5, 2002 at 10:12 pm, Tony wrote: >Totally new at this but I have a file that won't delete but doesn't even give me >an error message. Just sits there doing nothing. Can highlight file, but when right >click, all I get is options to open, send or move file, but no delete command. Suggestions? >I am totally stuck here. Any help would be appreciated. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 3:14 pm Posted by eNos (1 messages posted) I did this and it worked out great. Thank you Alex!! I wrote down the exact file name which happened to be Movie.avi. Then I wrote down the directory which was C:\Documents and Settings\Wade\My Documents\Movie.avi. I opened task manager (ctr + alt + del) and ended the process to explorer.exe which I noticed when ever I tried to open this .avi file would eat all the processor speed. Then when the icons were gone (which will happen) I went to file and new task (run) which will open a dos window. It had me already in C:\Documents and Settings\Wade:> or something like that I then typed exactly what Alex told me to which would appear in its entirety as C:\Documents and Settings\Wade:>del "C:\Documents and Settings\Wade\My Documents\Movie.avi" and hit enter and it was gone when I restarted my computer. Kudos and thanks!!! On Sunday, June 22, 2003 at 11:10 am, alex wrote: > Hello, > >When the file is in use by another program or user it is pobably by explorer.exe >(corrupted by copy cd with bad block on it or ....) > >You just open taskmanager and end the process tree explorer, be sure to select tree >... > >Jou see no more icons on your desktop ... > >Push alt+control+delete and run cmd. > >In the dos session type the following > >c:\ del "c:\foldername\filetobedeleted.xxx" > >after you reopen explorer from the tasmanager (browse in the windows folder for explorer.exe) > >Icons back and check if the file in question is deleted. > >That's how i solved this issue ... > >Hope it helps you... > >A > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a file in XP Monday, November 28, 2005 at 8:30 pm Posted by Toestub (1 messages posted) I just had the same prob with a Video File - AVI. Thanks for the tip about replacing it with a notepad file with the same name - Works fine - Thanks A Million gold_archimedes. Good Day All. On Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 5:45 am, gold_archimedes wrote: >Haha, guys, I have discovered a method that works for some "undeletable" files. > > >Just create a text file (empty one) in another folder (other than the folder that >contains that particular file). >Rename the txt file to the name of the file that is not-removable. Then click and >drop the newly created and named file into the folder containing the stuborn file. > >This will overwrite the original file with the one you have just created. > >Well, for all the dummies out there, this is a clean-cut method. No need to learn >DOS prompt, no need to start with DOS mode.....no pain (unfortunately there will >always be pain with windows around). > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] Cannot delete a folder structure in XP Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 7:52 am Posted by Christin (1 messages posted) While I was using RAD and imported one existinfg project with name XYZ, using Existing Projects to workspace C:\XYZ after some tme a loop got created and lots of XYZ folders and subdirectories got created. now I am not able to delete XYZ folder, as ity saying the path is too long Pls advise me to delete this I tried del with force option in command prompt, replacing a folder with same name and try to drag/drop to recycle bin A very frustarting morning [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a folder structure in XP Friday, August 24, 2007 at 10:08 pm Posted by Steve (2 messages posted) I'm in the same boat, dude. The directory path is so long I'm even sure I am seeing the whole thing. Please let me know if you figure out how to delete all the RAD folders. Thanks. On Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 7:52 am, Christin wrote: >While I was using RAD and imported one existinfg project with name XYZ, using Existing >Projects to workspace C:\XYZ after some tme a loop got created and lots of XYZ folders >and subdirectories got created. > >now I am not able to delete XYZ folder, as ity saying the path is too long > >Pls advise me to delete this >I tried del with force option in command prompt, replacing a folder with same name >and try to drag/drop to recycle bin > >A very frustarting morning [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Cannot delete a folder structure in XP Friday, August 24, 2007 at 10:32 pm Posted by Steve (2 messages posted) Yeehaw, finally got rid of the RAD folder structure from hell. Fortunately, the project folders were only nested to about 44 levels deep. So started renaming each parent project folder to 'x' in order to shorten the overall path length to the bottom folder (and deleted .metadata folders on the way down as well). Once they were all named 'x' then the deepest folder's path name was short enough to allow it to be deleted. Going to bed now. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: uau Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 1:05 am Posted by ah-jay (1 messages posted) Hi all, If none of the tips here work for you, try mine. Load LFNDOS to enable long file name support under real DOS mode. Then use Norton Commander 5.5 to rename the undeletable file to any name you like. Then delete the file the usual way. Unfortunately using the wildcard (* or ?) trick won't work on some DOS versions and Windows require that you type the exact filename with (groan) the unprintable characters to be able to delete. In my case I had a file named "mzÉ" that I could not delete. Using LFNDOS and NC I found out that the file I was trying to delete had an unprintable extension (the block diamond symbol) which I can't even type on the keyboard with any Alt-NumKey code. I renamed the file and removed the annoying extension and I was able to delete the file with no problem. Hope this helps. ~Ah-Jay On Tuesday, August 17, 2004 at 8:36 pm, electroguy wrote: >Hello... > >If this helps anyone... > >I've had this problem and none of the aforementioned techniques worked, so I got >to thinking about my old DOS days and a thought occured to me: YOU CANNOT SEE UNPRINTABLE >CHARACTERS IN A FILE NAME!!! > >There are many extended character codes, any of which can find it's way into a file >name, either by corruption or naming directly. If you try to delete file with unprintable >characters by spelling out the file name without wild cards, it will not find the >file, logically. > >So, I decided to go to the folder where the file I was trying to delete unsuccessfully >was located, through a command prompt, and type the following command: > >del filename*.* /a > >...where "filename" is the path and/or name of the file. Example: del c:\temp\myfile*.* >(or del myfile*.*, if you're aleady in the folder where the file resides). > >That worked like a charm!!! > >I hope this helps some poor soul who has tried other methods unsuccessfully. > >Jim > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] Tip: Use one of the [Reply or follow-up to this message] links above to add a message to this thread Search this forum Start a new thread on a different subject Report abuse of the forum Return to the Windows XP Discussion Forum