Error Message -Item Not Found-

[Guest]

When trying to remove a file, I keep getting an error, that states the item
is not found and that windows cannot delete or move the file because it is no
in the specified location. I can see the folder, it is there, it just won't
delete or move to the recycle bin.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, nicjp.

If you tell us the exact name of the file (and the pathname to where it
resides), we may know what the problem is. Or not.

Some files are hidden; some are system files that Vista won't let us do much
with unless we are THE Administrator, running with "God" privileges. Some
files are so important to the system that Vista just won't let us mess with
them. And Vista is very reluctant to let us do anything with other users'
files, so you may need to take ownership of that file or otherwise convince
Vista that you DO have permission to work with it.

I could keep guessing for a long time, but it would shorten the process if
you tell us more explicitly which file and what you are trying to
accomplish.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail beta 2 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 beta v.275)

 

[Guest]

R. C. White,
I am just trying to delete a folder from my start menu. When I try to delete
it, I get the following message:

The main title in message window is: Item not found
First line: Could not find this item
Main Body: This is no longer located in
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. Verify the Items
location and try again.
Text after main body: Monopoly Here & Now
Date Created: 10/18/2007 7:13AM
Also in the window it gives me two options to click: Try again or Cancel

I can see the folder and it is in this location, it is not hidden, but for
some reason I keep getting this message. I have deleted/moved folders from
the start menu before. I don't understand why this message keeps coming up.
Thank you for replying and hopefully this reply is more informative.

--nicjp

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, nicjp.

Thanks for those details. I was hoping someone would jump in, but it looks
like it's just you and me, kid. :^{

Open an Administrator:Command Prompt by right-clicking on Command Prompt and
choosing Run as Administrator. Enter:
cd "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"

That should leave you at the Command Prompt and in that folder; you should
see:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs>

Enter:
dir /x /a

This is the good ol' Dir command from back when folders were Directories,
with two switches. (In a Command Prompt window, type the command name
followed by /? to see mini-Help file showing the switches and parameters
that can be used with that command: dir /?) The /a shows All files and
folders, even those with Hidden or other attributes. And the /x switch
inserts a column between the file size and the LFN (Long File Name) showing
the SFN (Short File Name), also known as the 8.3 filename, for each file and
folder. Long before LFNs were allowed, MS-DOS required every filename to be
no more than 8 characters, plus an optional extension of no more than 3
characters, and some characters were not allowed. But EVERY file and folder
had to have a name that was "legal" by these requirements. Even after LFNs
were invented, every filename still must be convertible into a valid SFN.

In a Command Prompt window, we can use these SFNs, even when we are not sure
of the LFN.

So, find that Monopoly entry in the directory listing and note its SFN.
Maybe it's "monopo~1". If it is a single file, then enter:
del monopo~1

If it is a folder, then:
rd monopo~1 /s

This rd (Remove Directory) command, with the /s switch, will remove the
folder, plus all its files and subfolders, so you will be asked to confirm
that you really want to do this.

If that does not work, please post back with details of what you did and
what results you saw. "I tried it" doesn't tell us much, and neither does
"Didn't work". We need details, like those in your second post.

And please post back if it works, too. ;<)

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail beta 2 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 beta v.275)

 

[K. Rees]

Thanks. I had a similar problem (unable to delete a directory that i could
see accompanied by the message "Could not find item" even though i could see
it clearly in Windows Explorer directory tree.

I followed your advice about opening a command prompt windo in adminstrator
mode and it worked!!! Thanks a lot.

K. Rees

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, K.

You're welcome. ;<)

And thanks for the feedback.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64)

 

[dogo]

Hi,

I'm having the same problems :-( I have tried the suggestion below and heres
what I get..

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs>rd bsalert /s
bsalert, Are you sure (Y/N)? y
The system cannot find the file specified.

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs>

any ideas?

:

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, K.

You're welcome. And thanks for the feedback.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64)

 

[dogo]

RC,

Sorry you may have misunderstood me, I can not remove the Directory. I have
tried a emergency boot disk and still get the
The system cannot find the file specified.

any ideas?

Regards

Dogo

 

[Xela]

Hi, R. C. White

thank you for helping me getting rid of that annoying folder in the Start
Menu!!!

In my case it was a folder created by the manufacturer of the laptop
containing an unnistal shortcut and it was impossible to remove.


Xela

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Xela.

I'm glad it worked for you. And thanks for the feedback. ;<)

Since that folder was specific to your laptop model, I never would have
guessed the solution. I'm glad we could go back to the good old MS-DOS bag
of tricks. Sometimes we just need a bigger hammer. :^}

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64)

 

[Frae]

R. C. White,
Thank you for the help! I was having a similar problem a nicjp and the
command prompt walkthrough worked! I appreciate you taking your time to help
us out!
-Frae

 

[Vista Hater]

Yep the command prompt works, just got rid of 4 folders from my desktop that
were "not there" as far as VISTA was concerned,
So this is how far we've come? a greedy resorce grabing Op system that you
will, quite often, have to use DOS with to delete a folder?)
Well Done MS, you've hit an all time low
Will A fix for this come out in SP 599 or will MS refund 50% of the VISTA
cost to everyone?)

 

[rayven_001]

I've been having sort of the same experience. I recently downloaded a program
that i didn't like so i uninstalled it. I had later come to find there was
still a shortcut to the program on my desktop. I tried to remove it and ended
up with the same message. Could not find this item
This file is no longer located in C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Switch Sound File
Converter.ink
Verify the location and try again.
I wonder if just simply rebooting would help the issue but idk if i may have
downloaded a virus with this. I've heard with certain things like this
sometimes restarting can make it worse. please excuse my ignorance here i'm
not that great with all of this.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, rayven_001.

Did you follow the instructions I gave nicjp? What is the name of your
shortcut? Most importantly: Exactly HOW did you "try to remove it"? Step
by step, please. And please tell us which Vista version you are using.

If "Switch Sound File Converter.lnk" is the name of your shortcut, then you
will need to enclose the ENTIRE pathname in quotes to deal with it because
it includes space characters - and the quotes must enclose the drive letter,
too:
Del "C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Switch Sound File Converter.ink"

Rather than Reply to a very old post, it would be better to start a new one.
Copy SOME of the old thread, if it is relative to your problem. But we see
SO MANY posts that start off with "I'm having the exact same problem..." and
then we find that it's NOT the same problem at all, that we are suspicious
of any post that starts that way.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8064.0206) in Win7 Ultimate x64 7000