Windows 10: Unable to delete just one file, or move, or rename.

Hi. I am unable to delete a file in my File explorer. The file is noted as a TXT file. I am also unable to change the name. The file name is very long, as a matter of fact, it was all of the text that I copy and pasted into a Text document, This in the only file that will not delete. I also cannot drag and move it, cut and past it, use Ctrl-D to delete it. All of my other files will perform those commands appropriately. What is going on? Using: Windows 10 Home, 64 bit, OS build 19045.4291 Experience: Windows feature pack 1000.19056.1000.0 Thanks ahead of time for your help!!

:)

 

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.

 

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.

 

can not delete or move or rename pdf file

You can delete or rename the file using the internal syntax, as below:

From a Command Prompt window, type:

• del "\\?\D:\username\Downloads\filename.jpg"
  

Of course, replace "filename.jpg" with the actual file name.

(or)

Download WinRAR or 7-Zip and run it. Using the file manager interface of WinRAR/7-Zip, rename the PDF to a shorter name or Shift + Del to permanently delete the file.

See also:

Trying to delete folder with the name "----- " - Microsoft Community: Redirecting