Solved Dead Word Doc File stuck on Desktop How can I delete it Please

Windows 11 21H2 (os Build 22000.978)

Good Afternoon' can someone help me remove a Dead Word Doc file that’s Glued to my Desktop tried Task Manager End Task on Word. and “Refresh” that just made all of the ICONS on the Desktop move up one end and Filezilla is not around anymore’ any help please Dasha

I use 7-zip. Right click it, select show more options, 7-zip add to archive. Select 'delete file after compression' ,ok, and then delete the zip file.

You don't actually state that you have tried selecting the file and then pressing keyboard 'Delete'.
Assuming you have tried to delete the file then did you get any popups telling you that you can't for some reason?

Also it may be that you need to 'Take ownership' of the file before you can delete it?

Thanks Fabler 2__wigankan, I will check Ownership and then Zip 7, I cannot select the File or find it on T/Manager' if I could Select it I may be aable to drag it to the Recycle bin and I have done all the other stuff Thanks for responding Dasha

The trouble with that file is it's a ghost file, a Windows bug that's been around for ages, it's not actually there.
A compression software (like 7-zip) with the 'delete files after compressing' setting on - will get rid of it.

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.

Thanks to you all I was getting ready to do the 22H2 In place Up -Grade this all happened after a Cum - Up-Grade I have had it "On Pause, waiting for the Over-nite Up-Date so I am backing everything up, I tried the 7 Zip Method (but using Win-Rar) no result and I believe on all counts that it's not something that can just be removed a Ghost file more like a I don't know what you could call it but I will just concentrate on the Up-Grade and that should get rid of it again thanks to you all for your advice your help it is greatly appreciated Dasha

Dasha said:

Thanks to you all I was getting ready to do the 22H2 In place Up -Grade this all happened after a Cum - Up-Grade I have had it "On Pause, waiting for the Over-nite Up-Date so I am backing everything up, I tried the 7 Zip Method (but using Win-Rar) no result and I believe on all counts that it's not something that can just be removed a Ghost file more like a I don't know what you could call it but I will just concentrate on the Up-Grade and that should get rid of it again thanks to you all for your advice your help it is greatly appreciated Dasha

Click to expand...

What I gave you works. It’s a cached temp file that’s not even there but it will remove the shadow from your desktop or folder.

I'm sure it would work' but for my capabilities its a Major exercise + my PC is so Unstable that if I tried it could very easily go wrong something got in here on one of those Upgrades I have (7) of the same one sitting here:
"2022-09 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 for x64-based Systems (KB5017328) (4) - 0xc1900401,
Windows Security has 3 Yellow flags Needs Attention @ I was only Previewing the Post above and hit space-bar ot something and it just went haywire and posted? if

• Virus and threat Protection and
• App and Browser Control
• Device Performance and health

It's a real mess' I have Firefox loading multiple Pages something else in Task manager thanks anyway dacrone but after 2 weeks i'll just do the Upgrade Cheers Dasha