Help: Can't Delete FIles From Desktop

Major Bystander · 11 Jan 2019

Hey all,
I'm looking for advice on how to fix this strange problem: I cannot delete a subgroup of files from my desktop.

- If I create a new file (using Notepad) I can easily delete the file
- I can move an offending file to another folder but am still unable to delete it
- I changed the file properties ('read only') several times but am still unable to delete
- I used Unlocker (1.9.2) but it reports no lock on the file in question. Even so, I *was* able to delete the file using Unlocker
- Attempting the same on copies in Onedrive yields the same result
- Latest Windows 10 with most recent updates installed
- I followed a 'solution' offered by a msft rep on a forum. It involved sfc, some other steps and Powershell script but it did not work

Any ideas what's caused this? Any ideas how to solve?

Tia - MB

dalchina · 12 Jan 2019

Hi, if this is a one-off situation, then simply resolve it by deleting the files without Windows running. Either
a. Boot to a command prompt (if familiar enough with using that) e.g. via SHIFT + left click Restart and work through the screens
or
b. Boot using a live boot disk to get a familiar GUI
e.g.a live boot disk using Kyhi's iso, available from the top of the Software and Apps section here.
You can use the instructions from Option 2 here as a guide:
Redirect Notice
but use Kyhi's iso.

Other options: try FileAssassin (free); Emco MoveonBoot (free) - includes delete on boot

RingTailCoon · 17 Jan 2019

Oh sometimes I get that too. Just a reboot and delete it after the reboot... But strange indeed...

MikeHawthorne · 18 Jan 2019

Also if you use SuperAntiSpyware free, it has a utility to force delete files.

TairikuOkami · 19 Jan 2019

Try to run this as admin in CMD

Code:

takeown /s %computername% /u %username% /f "%SystemDrive%\Users\Public\Desktop" /r /d y
icacls "%SystemDrive%\Users\Public\Desktop" /grant:r %username%:(OI)(CI)F /t /l /q /c
takeown /s %computername% /u %username% /f "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop" /r /d y
icacls "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop" /grant:r %username%:(OI)(CI)F /t /l /q /c