Windows 10: PDF file appeared on desktop with random name and cannot be deleted

Hello,In my wife's laptop's desktop it just appeared a random PDF file with a really long and random name full of gibberish. It looks like the file has appeared from thin air and cannot be moved or deleted.I've been searching about this but none of the issues I've found are exactly like this one since from what I've read people created or know the origin of the files they're trying to delete, and we don't know where this came from.A bit of context:My wife's laptop is a Microsoft Surface Pro 7 with Windows 11 Home I think - can confirm later if needed.She's a teacher and yesterday was the fir

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Can't delete PDF file from Win 10 desktop with a long file name

I created a file using a pdf printer and saved the it to my desktop.

The file appears on the desktop; however, I can't do anything with it. I can't open it, delete it, change its name or anything else.

I want to delete it.

I've tried right click and then delete, shift delete, using File Explorer to delete it, using the "cmd" function to try to delete it, looked for a short name (none present) and used PowerShell and nothing works. I've rebooted several times, but that doesn't
seem to do anything.

The file name is: "ReporterMcCabe on Twitter_ _The ring seems to confirm that one of those killed was Qassim Soleimani, the leader of the Iranian Quds forces. It would not surprise me if the mullahs are grateful to have Soleimani out of the way. He built
the box in whic.pdf"

Stored and appearing as a PDF file on my desktop.

How do I delete this file?

 

windows 10 deleted my desktop files

Step 1 - I upgraded to Win 10 and lost all my files on Desktop.

Step 2 - Found the files in Network - USers- Desktop

copied all files again to desktop.

Step 3- Restarted my machine again and lost desktop files again.

Step 4 - As suggested did the following as listed below but dont find my files.

• Press “Windows + E”, open This PC/Computer
• Open Local Disc C, open Windows.old
• Click on Users, select your User name
• Go to desktop folder

Cant find my files. Why is Win 10 deleted files again and again from Desktop ?.

 

can't remove a pdf from my win10 desktop

Hi,



Thank you for your response.



We would suggest you to perform these steps and check.



Step 1:
Turn off Preview pane in Windows Explorer

1. 
   Open File Explorer, Click on View tab.
   
2. 
   Click on Preview option to hide or close
   
3. Click on Desktop from the Navigation pane. Then try deleting the file.

Step 2: Check the default PDF application

1. 
   Press Windows + I key to launch Windows Settings.
   
2. 
   Click on Apps and select Default apps from the left pane.
   
3. 
   Now scroll down and click on Choose default apps by file type.
   
4. 
   Scroll and look for .pdf, .pdxml, and .pdx file type, then click on the + sign to change it to Edge.
   
5. Then close Settings and try
   deleting the file.

Step 3: If the default app for PDF is Adobe Reader.

1. 
   Open Adobe Reader. Go to Edit.
   
2. 
   Choose Preferences.
   
3. 
   From the Categories on the left, select Security (Enhanced).
   
4. 
   Uncheck the Enable Enhanced Security option.
   
5. Try
   deleting the file

Regards,



Aditya Roy

Microsoft Community – Moderator