Windows 10: Unable to delete a file

Discus and support Unable to delete a file in Windows 10 Software and Apps to solve the problem; As I was downloading a video file mp4 with Firefox, I lost power before the download was complete. However, the aborted partial file still appears in... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Software and Apps' started by aubelhor, Jan 24, 2023.

  1. aubelhor Win User

    Unable to delete a file


    As I was downloading a video file mp4 with Firefox, I lost power before the download was complete. However, the aborted partial file still appears in my Downloads folder and it will not allow me to delete it, giving me the message "Could not find this item...". I loaded the Command Prompt and tried deleting it using the DEL command, but it also says "Could Not Find C:\...", despite the fact that the file appears when using DIR. I've tried deleting the entire folder but it won't let me do that either. I've even gone into Properties to try to change the attributes to hidden, but even though

    :)
     
    aubelhor, Jan 24, 2023
    #1
  2. Ferdz Amp Win User

    Unable to delete temporary files

    Hi Sumit,

    Looks like you are running out of storage space, let's walk you through the steps of running
    Disc cleanup for your Windows 10 device.

    To delete temporary files, kindly follow these steps:

    • Press the Windows key to launch the Start menu.
    • Type in Disc cleanup and press Enter.
    • Under Files to delete, select the file types to get rid of. To get a description of the file type, select it.
    • Select OK.

    If you need to free up more space, you can also delete system files:

    • Press the Windows key to launch the Start menu.
    • Type in Disc cleanup and press Enter.
    • In Disk cleanup, select Clean up system files.
    • Select the file types to get rid of. To get a description of the file type, select it.
    • Select OK.

    If the suggestions above didn't work, feel free to post back so we can further troubleshoot.
     
    Ferdz Amp, Jan 24, 2023
    #2
  3. Kem Mon Win User
    Unable to delete a file

    Hi Brent,

    There are a lot of possible reason why the issue occurs, we suggest that you access
    safe mode
    and
    delete the files there. If the same issue occur,
    reboot
    your PC and run these following
    methods of troubleshooting
    steps:

    Method 1:
    Run SFC Scan.  

    To run an
    SFC scan, follow these steps:  


    • Run
      Command Prompt as Administrator.  

    • Type
      sfc /scannow
      and hit
      Enter.   

    Method 2:
    Run DISM Tool.  

    To run
    DISM Tool, follow these steps:


    • Run
      Command Prompt as Administrator.  

    • Type the following command:  

      • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /scanhealth  

      • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth  

    NOTE:
    This might take a while to finish scanning.
    Do not cancel. 

    Method 3: Clean Boot.

    To perform a
    Clean Boot, click
    here.

    Note:
    Reset the computer back to
    Normal Mode
    once you are done with the troubleshooting by following the section
    "How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting"
    from the same article.

    Let us know how it goes.

    Regards.
     
    Kem Mon, Jan 24, 2023
    #3
  4. topgundcp Win User

    Unable to delete a file

    Unable to delete a folder - Invalid folder name


    Suggestion:
    1. Run chkdsk x: /r to make sure that there's no HD corruption.
      x: is the drive containing the folder you want to delete.
    2. Try to delete the folder again. If still does not work, go to step 3.
    3. Download: Download - Linux Mint and create a bootable USB using: Rufus - Create bootable USB
    4. Boot up with Linux Mint and try to delete the folder again.
      NOTE: Unlike WinPE. Linux does not have any Windows permission imposed to it so it is easier to delete.
     
    topgundcp, Jan 24, 2023
    #4
Thema:

Unable to delete a file

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