Folders and files that will not delete

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  1. Posts : 302
    Windows 10
       #1

    Folders and files that will not delete


    I recently deleted some mp3 files and folders, then when I emptied the Recycle Bin I inadvertently answered "no" to the "are you sure you want to delete these files" question. Now they are sitting on my recent files / frequent folders page and will not delete again. When you analyze them they are 0 bytes, so not taking up any space (also may be the reason they won't delete) but they are cluttering the area and I need to get rid of them. My laptop is brand new, under warranty, but Dell support won't help me, saying it's a software issue and I have to either pay them over $100 or purchase a software warranty before they will help. I went on You Tube and found one video that demonstrated a method of deleting them through the "Command Prompt" screen, but this didn't work. This may sound like a small issue, but there are about 30 of these files and folders and they are cluttering the area...need to delete them. Help please.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,169
    64bit Win 10 Pro ver 21H2
       #2

    Hello and welcome! :)

    This should be easy to resolve. The frequent folders and recent files can be switched off which will reset and clear all the items. You can then turn on again to allow new items to appear there as you use your files and folders.

    See this tutorial: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3...-turn-off.html
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 64 Bit
       #3

    Some Zero Bytes Files got created on my Hard drive a sub-directory, probably due probably to premature termination of download process. I am now unable to delete these. I also tried deleting these from command prompt with explorer.exe stopped from Task Manager. It did not work. Message I got is "File Name" File does not exist. How do I delete these. I can not remname them. I can not even delete this sub directory. How to resolve this problem? OS Windows 10 64 Bit on Dell Laptop.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 182
    Win 10 rs1 - build 14393.1944
       #4

    Hey and welcome to TenForums,

    Try to reboot your PC and then go to these folders again - right-click and Delete.

    Don't turn off explorer when you delete something, - explorer must be running.

    After a reboot the folder will must likely be gone!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 64 Bit
       #5

    With explorer on, right click does not work. Neither I can delete these Zero Byte Files nor I can Delete the folder itself.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,097
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 1809 (OS Build 17763.437)
       #6

    OK. This thing is Dangerous. I'm not even sure if posting it like this is OK with the Forum. I don't remember which member gave it to me. I'm passing it along with all the warnings that go with something like this. Use it at your own risk. Copy the text and paste it into DeleteFolder.bat

    rem Drag-drop the undeletable folder onto the icon of this batch script
    rem (make sure it’s the right folder!). Remove the batch file when done.
    :
    :
    Rem rd /s /q \\?\%1
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,899
    Windows 10 Pro for the Bro
       #7

    You can download Ubuntu (an alternate operating system) on some USB drive, and start up the computer from that alternate operating system. Ubuntu will show you all the same folders you have in Windows 10. Look for the folders you want to delete. Delete them, then restart the computer in Windows.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 64 Bit
       #8

    Solution given by CWGilley Worked like magic, Only change I had to make was to Replace Rd with Del. If I use Rd to remove entire folder have Zero Byte Files, It says folder not empty. I dragged and dropped Each of the Four Zero Byte Files onto the batch file Icon one by one. And Lo Behold, the files were gone. After this, removing the folder was child's play.Thanks a lot CWGilley
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,097
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 1809 (OS Build 17763.437)
       #9

    Glad it worked for you. :)
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #10

    Hi

    I'm having the same problem right now. My 0-byte file is in a chain of 16 folders and I cannot seem to delete it. Seeing as a certain .bat command (At least I think that is one) kinda worked, and I've tried commands, shredders, disk cleanup util, I am kinda desperate to understand that tool Wiley gave Fred. The problem is, if it comes to the workings of computers I have zero idea, thus I couldn't understand what Wiley meant with his solution post.

    So Wiley, can you please elaborate what it is that I should do?

    PS: The folder chain that the file is in looks like this: "\\?\D:\Recovery\184274296917284\184274296293297\18427429659725\184274296840854\18427428170570\18427 4281474794\18427428182013\184274281425674\184274265372238\184274265161796\184274265318691\1842742506 71654\184274250272921\184273906202581\184273906861048\18427390631380\珔᧔齰挥ㅇᛣ뤧か뉠ῄ乷ẘ썘ᚮ\⸍䮛㚼銤⍚与⓾삦䵵Tߓ隤⩳響 \条倁趑堗凟⥋Ј镟⧲飛藰綆\-#bND0⥷䗦ᄀ直桁蠮讉팭ჟ毌횻픐ᮤ\຾䆕䵑酿쿁⯉㘕謱龠⍩㳧躘骈"

    Thanks a lot.
      My Computer


 

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