Cannot delete file in Explorer; command line does not show the fil

[HJStern]

I have two files that I cannot delete. If the file shows up (see below) I
cannat delete it, and always get the error message: "Cannot delete file.
Access denied ...". I have already tried these approaches (with
Computeradministrator rights):

1. Delete in the Windows Explorer.

1. Unchecking the write protection in the fileproperties (access is denied
to change the properties).

2. Reboot the system and deleting the file as the first thing I do after
reboot.

3. Via command line. The file does not show up in the folder even if I type
"Attrib" in the respective folder.

4. Safe boot of windows.

Are there any windows-inherent solutions?

Are there any other solutions using some tools?

Thank you for the help.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I have two files that I cannot delete. If the file shows up (see below) I
cannat delete it, and always get the error message: "Cannot delete file.
Access denied ...". I have already tried these approaches (with
Computeradministrator rights):

1. Delete in the Windows Explorer.

1. Unchecking the write protection in the fileproperties (access is denied
to change the properties).

2. Reboot the system and deleting the file as the first thing I do after
reboot.

3. Via command line. The file does not show up in the folder even if I
type
"Attrib" in the respective folder.

4. Safe boot of windows.

Are there any windows-inherent solutions?

Are there any other solutions using some tools?

Thank you for the help.

I get very suspicios when someone claims that Explorer shows a file but
attrib.exe doesn't. This is probably a case of being in the wrong folder.
The following command, when executed from a Command Prompt, will give you a
clue:
md "NameOfFile"{Enter} (in case the problem entity is a file)
cd > "NameOfFolder"{Enter} (in case the problem entity is a folder)
You must, of course, execute the above command from the parent folder of the
problem entity, not from C:\.

 

[HeyBub]

I have two files that I cannot delete. If the file shows up (see
below) I cannat delete it, and always get the error message: "Cannot
delete file. Access denied ...". I have already tried these
approaches (with Computeradministrator rights):

What files?

XP is plenty smart. Some system files are undeletable. Some come back even
when you do delete them.

 

[Big_Al]

HJStern said this on 12/28/2008 5:11 AM:

I have two files that I cannot delete. If the file shows up (see below) I
cannat delete it, and always get the error message: "Cannot delete file.
Access denied ...". I have already tried these approaches (with
Computeradministrator rights):

1. Delete in the Windows Explorer.

1. Unchecking the write protection in the fileproperties (access is denied
to change the properties).

2. Reboot the system and deleting the file as the first thing I do after
reboot.

3. Via command line. The file does not show up in the folder even if I type
"Attrib" in the respective folder.

4. Safe boot of windows.

Are there any windows-inherent solutions?

Are there any other solutions using some tools?

Thank you for the help.

Run chkdsk c: /r And let it check on reboot. You may find that
your files or directory structures are corrupt. It will take time, but
watch it as it will report the files fixed as it goes.

I couldn't defrag and found out I had files on a bad spot on the drive.
I dropped the laptop a few weeks ago and I think the drive is on the
way out. But this moved the files. They were corrupted since they were
on bad spots, but at least now they could be repaired or deleted or
whatever. Luckily they were photos.

 

[ju.c]

These are the best apps for file deletion, all free.
(You can't delete a folder if you have it opened)

Unlocker 1.8.7 237 KB
Info: http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
Download: http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/unlocker1.8.7.exe

KillBox 90 KB
Info: http://www.killbox.net/
Download: http://www.killbox.net/downloads/KillBox.exe

FileASSASSIN 1.06 163 KB
Info: http://www.malwarebytes.org/fileassassin.php
Download: http://www.malwarebytes.org/fa-setup.exe

DelinvFile - Delete Invalid Files and Folders
Info: http://www.purgeie.com/delinv/index.htm
Download: http://www.purgeie.com/dl/divfinst.exe


This is a trick to delete an undeletable file by restoring a file over it with a file
created with the same name using a drive imaging program.

Instructions:

1. Create a text file and write in it a couple of letters.
2. Save that file in your root drive (C: for example) with the
same exact name and extension as the file you want to delete.
3. Now make a backup your new file (I used Acronis True Image).
4. Open your backup program and restore the file you created to
the folder where the undeletable file is, overwriting it.
4. Now you can delete it!
5. Run chkdsk


ju.c

 

[HJStern]

Thank you for all your help,

Pegasus: I used Unlocker to delete the files and cannot verify your
suggestion or what I said about the command prompt any mote. But, I am quite
sure the files did not show up using the command "dir" or "attrib" at the
command prompt being already in the respective folder.

HeyBub: Those files were on another drive, not drive holding the operating
system. They belonged to an old installation of Adobe Reader which is not in
use anymore.

Big_Al: I have tried your approach, but it did not help.

ju.c: I used unlocker to solve the problem

Thanks a lot for all the help
HJStern