Windows 10 will not 'delete' several files in thr "Download " Folder.

jagman · 20 Apr 2021

Size "0". They are .MP4 videos. Have tried "Windows Explorer" as ADMIN but nothing.

version: 20H2 (Build 19042.928)

Paul Black · 20 Apr 2021

Hello @jagman,

jagman said:

Size "0". They are .MP4 videos. Have tried "Windows Explorer" as ADMIN but nothing.

Type this command into the CMD Prompt and press <Enter>, change the <UserName> AND <FileName> to what they actually are . . .

del /f /q "C:\Users\<UserName>\Downloads\<FileName>.mp4"

If you have Relocated the Users Folder, then obviously change the Path accordingly.

I hope this helps.

AndreTen · 20 Apr 2021

Another workaround is to use Winrar. Add to archive, and select to delete files after this

Check this old thread..

jagman · 20 Apr 2021

AndreTen said:

Another workaround is to use Winrar. Add to archive, and select to delete files after this

Check this old thread..

Thanks, no success but still trying. I get a "no file found' but suspect it is not the "0" size but the 'LONG NAME' problem as it is BIG and Windows has a hard time dealing with "illegal length" names.

AddRAM · 20 Apr 2021

You could try running a live Linux version to see if you can delete the files.

bobkn · 20 Apr 2021

jagman said:

Thanks, no success but still trying. I get a "no file found' but suspect it is not the "0" size but the 'LONG NAME' problem as it is BIG and Windows has a hard time dealing with "illegal length" names.

This is probably a moronic suggestion, but...

Can you rename the files?

Try3 · 21 Apr 2021

Move everything you want out of the Downloads folder [i.e. everything but the rogue files] then use this procedure
my ditty about using RoboCopy to clear out a rogue file - TenForums

Denis