Can't delete folder

**exfarmer** · January 2nd, 2014, 07:18 PM

I have a small folder in that I want to delete but the system won't let me. I click to delete it and I get a message,

(name blacked out) I've tried renaming the folder and it's contents but it still won't delete. Also I've tried moving the folder to a different location on the pc, it moves the folder but still when I try to delete it it says it's not there.

I'm running Windows 8.1

**retroanalyst** · January 2nd, 2014, 07:36 PM

I haven't used Windows for ages, but after googling a little my hunch is that there is a non-displayable special character in the folder name which confuses Windows Explorer. Maybe this instructional video helps you to get rid of the offending folder.

Good luck!

~~bigbobnobody~~ · January 2nd, 2014, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exfarmer

I have a small folder in that I want to delete but the system won't let me. I click to delete it and I get a message,

(name blacked out) I've tried renaming the folder and it's contents but it still won't delete. Also I've tried moving the folder to a different location on the pc, it moves the folder but still when I try to delete it it says it's not there.

I'm running Windows 8.1

Try right clicking within the location where the missing folder is located,
the click "refresh". If you still see the folder in there. Try rebooting your
computer, and that should take care of it. Mine does the same thing to me
sometimes, after having gone quite a spell of not rebooting, or having recently
put my machine in quite a bit of strain, such as after having encoded a
video or worked on a very large picture in photoshop. Just for curiosity's
sake, you might click on "start", then put in a search of the name of that
folder. My guess is that it won't show up in that search.

**pharoahegypt** · January 2nd, 2014, 09:04 PM

have had this issue many times at work. is a real pain. sometimes you just have to rename the folder so its at back of beyond, and forget about it. one of the unexplained joys of running windows operating systems i'm afraid.

**rotobott** · January 2nd, 2014, 09:29 PM

I had this yesterday with a huge imagefile, on windows 8, reboot and delete it as soon as you can get into the computer, I had to do it 3 times before I got the sucker

**Pepper II** · January 2nd, 2014, 09:33 PM

Closing all running programs except for your browser may allow the deletion.

**exfarmer** · January 2nd, 2014, 10:00 PM

I've just tried a couple of reboots and then disconnected from the internet and turned off all programs including antivirus and antimalware but it still won't let me delete it.

I'll reboot again in a little bit.

wmcb · January 2nd, 2014, 10:05 PM

Privacy eraser pro is the only program that I have found that will remove locked folders

**exfarmer** · January 2nd, 2014, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroanalyst

I haven't used Windows for ages, but after googling a little my hunch is that there is a non-displayable special character in the folder name which confuses Windows Explorer. Maybe this instructional video helps you to get rid of the offending folder.

Good luck!

I gave this a go but it still wouldn't remove it, the cmd function said it was deleting it but it didn't. think I might be stuck with it.

**exfarmer** · January 2nd, 2014, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmcb

Privacy eraser pro is the only program that I have found that will remove locked folders

I've downloaded the trial and used the file shredder but it's still there.

January 2nd, 2014, 07:18 PM	#1
exfarmer avvie pic by Estreeter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Essex, England Posts: 13,737 Thanks: 109,422 Thanked 182,657 Times in 13,045 Posts	Can't delete folder I have a small folder in that I want to delete but the system won't let me. I click to delete it and I get a message, (name blacked out) I've tried renaming the folder and it's contents but it still won't delete. Also I've tried moving the folder to a different location on the pc, it moves the folder but still when I try to delete it it says it's not there. I'm running Windows 8.1 __________________ I no longer have time to upload videos, sorry.

January 2nd, 2014, 07:36 PM	#2
retroanalyst in memoriam Max Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 3,586 Thanks: 121,989 Thanked 47,462 Times in 3,337 Posts	I haven't used Windows for ages, but after googling a little my hunch is that there is a non-displayable special character in the folder name which confuses Windows Explorer. Maybe this instructional video helps you to get rid of the offending folder. Good luck! __________________ Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.

January 2nd, 2014, 09:04 PM	#4
pharoahegypt Vintage Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Middle England Posts: 4,491 Thanks: 10,176 Thanked 43,618 Times in 4,154 Posts	have had this issue many times at work. is a real pain. sometimes you just have to rename the folder so its at back of beyond, and forget about it. one of the unexplained joys of running windows operating systems i'm afraid. __________________ Arguing with a intelligent person is hard; but arguing with a stupid person is impossible!

January 2nd, 2014, 10:00 PM	#7
exfarmer avvie pic by Estreeter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Essex, England Posts: 13,737 Thanks: 109,422 Thanked 182,657 Times in 13,045 Posts	I've just tried a couple of reboots and then disconnected from the internet and turned off all programs including antivirus and antimalware but it still won't let me delete it. I'll reboot again in a little bit. __________________ I no longer have time to upload videos, sorry.

January 2nd, 2014, 09:29 PM	#5
rotobott Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 32,106 Thanks: 174,782 Thanked 634,615 Times in 31,427 Posts	I had this yesterday with a huge imagefile, on windows 8, reboot and delete it as soon as you can get into the computer, I had to do it 3 times before I got the sucker

January 2nd, 2014, 09:33 PM	#6
Pepper II Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 7,853 Thanks: 163,956 Thanked 119,243 Times in 7,641 Posts	Closing all running programs except for your browser may allow the deletion.

January 2nd, 2014, 10:05 PM	#8
wmcb Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 4 Posts	Privacy eraser pro is the only program that I have found that will remove locked folders