Cannot delete folder

Linche · Nov 11, 2023

Hi - I have a folder that I cannot delete. It keeps being included in my backups as (Desktop) and is 27 Gigs. I've tried every program I have - even those with options to "force delete" and looked online for solutions. Nothing works. I've even tried to "shred" the folder (and its individual files) and that won't work either.
The path begins with backslash, backslash, question mark, backslash.
Anyone have any "highly advanced windows trick" I could try? Thanks

Stigg · Nov 11, 2023

There are a couple of things to try that have worked for me in the past.

The first and easiest thing to try is this.
Open an elevated Command Prompt, and paste the following into it.

Code:

chkdsk C: /r

You will be offered a restart.

After the restart, go back and try deleting the folder again.

The other option is to use boot media that has a file manager.
Boot into that and try deleting it outside of Windows.

dacrone · Nov 11, 2023

open elevated command prompt in file/folder location:

FILE:

del (filename)

FOLDER:

rmdir (Foldername)

IF IT WILL NOT DELETE:

Enter:
dir /x /a

The /a shows All files and folders, even those with Hidden or other attributes
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

So, find that entry in the directory listing and note its SFN
If it's "monopo~1"

FILE:

del monopo~1

FOLDER:

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.

*this was in my notes. Don’t remember the original article to credit.

FreeBooter · Nov 11, 2023

If suggestions don't work, you can use live Ubuntu or any Linux to delete the files.

Create a bootable USB stick with Rufus on Windows | Ubuntu

Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.

ubuntu.com

garlin · Nov 11, 2023

\\?\ notation means it's a Windows device path.

Usually they're reserved for special files, folders or volumes which Windows system is using. Normally you're not meant to see them, but it can happen. Don't try removing it without first reporting the full filename.

Linche · Nov 11, 2023

Stigg said:
There are a couple of things to try that have worked for me in the past.

The first and easiest thing to try is this.
Open an elevated Command Prompt, and paste the following into it.

Code:

chkdsk C: /r

You will be offered a restart.

After the restart, go back and try deleting the folder again.

The other option is to use boot media that has a file manager.
Boot into that and try deleting it outside of Windows.

Hi Stigg. Thanks. I tried running checkdisk, restart but it didn't work. I'm not sure what "boot media that has a file mgr" is but I'll look into that tomorrow. Been working on this all night and it's 2AM.

Stigg · Nov 11, 2023

Linche said:
Hi Stigg. Thanks. I tried running checkdisk, restart but it didn't work. I'm not sure what "boot media that has a file mgr" is but I'll look into that tomorrow. Been working on this all night and it's 2AM.

Do what garlin said above. Post the full path and folder name.

dacrone · Nov 11, 2023

Linche said:
Hi Stigg. Thanks. I tried running checkdisk, restart but it didn't work. I'm not sure what "boot media that has a file mgr" is but I'll look into that tomorrow. Been working on this all night and it's 2AM.

Means boot from something that runs on PE so the file won’t be in use… like Hirens Boot or any variant of Linux.

Linche · Nov 11, 2023

Thanks you all. I'll have to come back tomorrow. It's 2AM now and I don't want to mess up using the instructions you've posted.
I'll try it all tomorrow! I don't even know how this folder and files came to be on my computer. I'll post the whole thing here in brackets:

["\\?\C:\Users\lcche\Desktop\(1) David Niño Rodriguez on X Once American brands now owned by China and influenced by the CCP; 1. Popsicle 2. Ben & Jerry's 3. Burger King 4. Trader Joe's 5. American Apparel 6. 7-Eleven 7. Sunglass Hut 8. Holiday In 9. Smithfield (meats) 10. _files"}

What a mess!

dacrone · Nov 11, 2023

lol.. yeah that’s def not a vital windows file. Deleting it won’t hurt. Reads like a ~~ton of cache from a browser dump~~ paper you wrote or something? Odd. Cmd I posted a few replies ago should work fine.

Stigg · Nov 11, 2023

Linche said:
Thanks you all. I'll have to come back tomorrow. It's 2AM now and I don't want to mess up using the instructions you've posted.
I'll try it all tomorrow! I don't even know how this folder and files came to be on my computer. I'll post the whole thing here in brackets:

["\\?\C:\Users\lcche\Desktop\(1) David Niño Rodriguez on X Once American brands now owned by China and influenced by the CCP; 1. Popsicle 2. Ben & Jerry's 3. Burger King 4. Trader Joe's 5. American Apparel 6. 7-Eleven 7. Sunglass Hut 8. Holiday In 9. Smithfield (meats) 10. _files"}

What a mess!

That looks like bad stuff.
There are probably extra processes running to prevent it from being deleted.
You'll probably have to do a security / malware scan. That is probably a good start.

garlin · Nov 11, 2023

This resembles an offline web folder, saved by your browser. It might have downloaded a ton of crap from the Twitter thread.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1706047736095900108

cd C:\Users\lcche\Desktop\
dir

Look for:
"(1) David Niño Rodriguez on X Once American brands now owned by China and influenced by the CCP; 1. Popsicle 2. Ben & Jerry's 3. Burger King 4. Trader Joe's 5. American Apparel 6. 7-Eleven 7. Sunglass Hut 8. Holiday In 9. Smithfield (meats) 10. _files"

LesFerch · Nov 11, 2023

Try this:

Right-click the file and select Copy as Path.

Open a Cmd prompt (NOT PowerShell), type del and then right-click to paste the path. Ensure that the pasted path includes the \\?\ prefix and then press Enter.

It should delete the file, although I am concerned about the trailing {.

Alternatively, try deleting it using a program that works with long paths, such as Directory Opus, XYPlorer, 7-Zip, etc.

Linche · Nov 11, 2023

Hi All. I tried it all - everything everyone suggested - and it didn't work.
So I deleted all the files in that folder and am just going to ignore it. I've spent days and days trying to figure this out and it doesn't seem to be harming anything.
I thank you all SO MUCH for taking the time to help me out. You are all GREAT!
Thanks again!
Linche

Ghot · Nov 12, 2023

Linche said:
Hi All. I tried it all - everything everyone suggested - and it didn't work.
So I deleted all the files in that folder and am just going to ignore it. I've spent days and days trying to figure this out and it doesn't seem to be harming anything.
I thank you all SO MUCH for taking the time to help me out. You are all GREAT!
Thanks again!
Linche

Try deleting it in Safe Mode

Or... try the free program... Emco Unlockit

POLYSIUS · Nov 12, 2023

You need "Trusted Installer" rights to do that.
Mount your WinRe.wim, and copy explorer++ into the Windows-Folder, unmount and boot into the Recovery.
In Command Prompt start explorer++.exe and you probably have success.

A Guy · Nov 12, 2023

Try Unlocker

If it says can't delete, it will ask if you want to delete on next restart. Restart and it will be deleted

A Guy

SIW2 · Nov 12, 2023

Mount your WinRe.wim, and copy explorer++ into the Windows-Folder, unmount and boot into the Recovery.
In Command Prompt start explorer++.exe

If you want to do that kind of thing, no need to mount the wim.

create a folder somewhere (e.g. on your desktop } called windows. Inside that create a folder called system32.

copy and paste the two lines below into notepad and save as winpeshl.ini

Code:

[LaunchApp]
AppPath=X:\windows\system32\explorer++.exe

put explorer++.exe and this little winpeshl.ini file into the windows\system32 folder you just created.

Then with 7-zip rt click the windows folder you made and select "add to archive"

select wim in the dropdown

click the little button and browse to winre.wim

click OK to add the windows folder into winre.wim

LesFerch · Nov 12, 2023

POLYSIUS said:
You need "Trusted Installer" rights to do that.
Mount your WinRe.wim, and copy explorer++ into the Windows-Folder, unmount and boot into the Recovery.
In Command Prompt start explorer++.exe and you probably have success.

Or use PowerRun to run whatever you want as TrustedInstaller.

Fabler2 · Nov 12, 2023

A Guy said:
Try Unlocker

If it says can't delete, it will ask if you want to delete on next restart. Restart and it will be deleted

A Guy

Hi Bill. The link in the Unlocker site for downloading the .exe is a 404 and the portable link does not load

You'll need to find another site. See if you get the same results.

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