Windows11 not finding file shown in x86.

Hi,
Win 11 V 22H2
I see DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64 in my x86 folder.
any attempt to access it or delete it, (which is what i want to do), and windows reports that it cant find the file

Copied this from my terminal:

=====================
C:\Program Files (x86)>dir Des*

Volume in drive C is OS

Volume Serial Number is B23E-6FDA

Directory of C:\Program Files (x86)

13/12/2023 13:36 <DIR> DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64

0 File(s) 0 bytes

1 Dir(s) 331,529,027,584 bytes free

C:\Program Files (x86)>del "DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64"

Could Not Find C:\Program Files (x86)\DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64


C:\Program Files (x86)>del x86\"DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64"

The system cannot find the file specified.

===============================

All help appreciated.

Regards

Chris

You don't use del to remove a folder you use rd or rmdir.
In this case the /s option would be used.

crb999 said:

Hi,
Win 11 V 22H2
I see DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64 in my x86 folder.
any attempt to access it or delete it, (which is what i want to do), and windows reports that it cant find the file....

Click to expand...

Welcome to Eleven Forum.

First of all, you should not try removing an installed program by just deleting it from your 'Program files' or 'Program files (x86)' folder. There's a lot more besides those files that need removing, there are a whole load of registry settings too. Leaving those in place without the program files they refer to may lead to all sorts of errors and problems in the future. Only the program's own uninstaller can clean out those properly.

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps and type DesignCAD in it's search box to find it. Click the ... to the right to get the uninstall option.

first of all, it wasn't and has never been installed.

I'll try the rd or mrdir, be back at you.
thanks

crb999 said:

first of all, it wasn't and has never been installed.

I'll try the rd or mrdir, be back at you.
thanks

Click to expand...

Your quotes are off as well.
C:\Program Files (x86)>del x86\"DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64"
So it should be, assuming you have rights;
rd /s "C:\Program Files (x86)\DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64"

If it wasn’t installed as a standalone program, then it is a component to something you’ve installed… may want to figure out what it came from before you delete it. Just a thought…

Logged in as Administrator, I executed the following command and print the response here:

C:\Windows\System32>rmdir \s "C:\Program Files (x86)\DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64"
The system cannot find the file specified.
The system cannot find the file specified.

But:

C:\Windows\System32>dir "C:\Program Files (x86)\DesignCAD*"
Volume in drive C is OS
Volume Serial Number is B23E-6FDA

Directory of C:\Program Files (x86)

13/12/2023 13:36 <DIR> DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64
0 File(s) 0 bytes
1 Dir(s) 331,492,106,240 bytes free

It's a puzzle!

crb999 said:

Logged in as Administrator, I executed the following command and print the response here:

C:\Windows\System32>rmdir \s "C:\Program Files (x86)\DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64"
The system cannot find the file specified.
The system cannot find the file specified.

But:

C:\Windows\System32>dir "C:\Program Files (x86)\DesignCAD*"
Volume in drive C is OS
Volume Serial Number is B23E-6FDA

Directory of C:\Program Files (x86)

13/12/2023 13:36 <DIR> DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64
0 File(s) 0 bytes
1 Dir(s) 331,492,106,240 bytes free

It's a puzzle!

Click to expand...

No it's not. That is not the command I gave to you.
Your slash / is wrong.

Thanks,

C:\Users\crb99>rmdir /s "C:\Program Files (x86)\DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64"
C:\Program Files (x86)\DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64, Are you sure (Y/N)? y
The system cannot find the file specified.

Should i delete all references to this program that i find in the registry?

Curious, have you tried

if exist "%programfiles(x86)%\DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64" echo tis here

Hi SIW2,

Returns a blank!

I've tried to find and delete anything connected to this file from the registry, but it won't let me.

When I delete this entry:

\Device\HarddiskVolume3\Program Files (x86)\DesignCAD 3D Max 2020 x64 \setup.exe

It tells me it can't "Unable to delete all specified values."

This is crazy!

I think at that point, I'd be reaching for my Flash Drive with Windows 11/Pro/64 on it and do a CLEAN Install.

Sometimes things will get stuck in the Windows Registry that are just not worth messing with. A CLEAN install is the best answer.

Merry Christmas!
TM
PS: Just a Tip: When ever I do a clean install of Windows, and configure it the way I want it, I will do a backup image file of C: and store that on my separate Backups HD. Then if I ever need to do a recovery, I can just do an Image Restore and in about 15 minutes I have a fresh clean re-install, with all my favorite programs all in place.

Just as a troubleshooting aid... you might want to try REVO Uninstaller (free).



If... Design CAD is listed in REVO, then use REVO to uninstall it. It probably won't be listed, but ya never know.

Thanks Ghot, as you say, worth a try.