Windows 10: Folders and files that will not delete

Discus and support Folders and files that will not delete in Windows 10 Support to solve the problem; 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... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Support' started by Fred22, Feb 15, 2016.

  1. Fred22 Win User

    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.

    :)
     
    Fred22, Feb 15, 2016
    #1

  2. How to delete folders that can NOT be deleted in DOS because the search patch is too long

    I worked!!!! Folders and files that will not delete :)

    Thank you sooooo much!!!

    I am so grateful!!!
     
    AndreasKDM, Feb 15, 2016
    #2
  3. How to delete folders that can NOT be deleted in DOS because the search patch is too long

    Thanks!!

    I will try it!
     
    AndreasKDM, Feb 15, 2016
    #3
  4. philc43 Win User

    Folders and files that will not delete

    Hello and welcome! *Smile

    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
     
    philc43, Feb 16, 2016
    #4
  5. bsumangal Win User
    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.
     
    bsumangal, Sep 2, 2017
    #5
  6. Gordon7 Win User
    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!
     
    Gordon7, Sep 2, 2017
    #6
  7. bsumangal Win User
    With explorer on, right click does not work. Neither I can delete these Zero Byte Files nor I can Delete the folder itself.
     
    bsumangal, Sep 3, 2017
    #7
  8. Folders and files that will not delete

    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
     
    Wiley Coyote, Sep 3, 2017
    #8
  9. pepanee Win User
    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.
     
    pepanee, Sep 3, 2017
    #9
  10. bsumangal Win User
    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
     
    bsumangal, Sep 3, 2017
    #10
  11. Glad it worked for you. *Smile
     
    Wiley Coyote, Apr 4, 2018
    #11
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Folders and files that will not delete

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