Unable to Delete Folder, Could not find this item
Currently, I'm having problem deleting an old Folder. Previously, I used its parent as a shared folder, but one day when I tried to clear that folder there is one folder that has duplicate. The problem is one of them (the old one) can't be deleted even after
I deleted all files/folders in that folder, I can't remove/rename that folder (could not find this item) not even with cmd as Administrator. I've tried to defrag my Windows Sever 2012 but the problem still persists. How to fix this problem?
Thanks in advance.
June 11th, 2013 1:43pm
1) go to folder security option, check for your username, if it is not there then add, then try to delete.
OR
2) take ownership of folder, then try,
3) check what permission you have on system.
June 11th, 2013 4:17pm
1) go to folder security option, check for your username, if it is not there then add, then try to delete.
OR
2) take ownership of folder, then try,
3) check what permission you have on system.
June 11th, 2013 4:29pm
Hi ,
can you use Icacls to verify the status of the folder - I am particularly interested in the display message of the icacls
are you able to perform any other folder related stuff
eg: create subfolder within this folder
or move this folder to different location and try deleting it ?
If the above doesn't work , we need to verify for the sticky hard lock using procmon and delete the dependent GUID.
June 12th, 2013 1:54am
I have met this problem several times on Windows OS. I was run scandisk utility then error folders will be deleted automaticaly. Try it! hope this help
June 12th, 2013 9:30am
Hi ,
can you use Icacls to verify the status of the folder - I am particularly interested in the display message of the icacls
are you able to perform any other folder related stuff
eg: create subfolder within this folder
or move this folder to different location and try deleting it ?
If the above doesn't work , we need to verify for the sticky hard lock using procmon and delete the dependent GUID.
I've tried to move it, but the error is the same (Couldn't find this item).
June 12th, 2013 12:47pm
I have met this problem several times on Windows OS. I was run scandisk utility then error folders will be deleted automaticaly. Try it! hope this help
This solution isn't working.
June 12th, 2013 12:47pm
I had this same problem using Server 2012 Std. I tried various options of taking ownership of the parent folder because the Security properties of the folder I was trying to delete were blank, using CMD and Dir /x etc. I even tried sharing
the parent folder and then using Server 2008 R2. None of them worked. When I tried Dir /x Server 2012 doesn't show the 8 character filename with the ~1. I tried typing it in myself, but that didn't work either. I then found that there was a space at the end
of the folder name. I then tried all the CMD options again using a space, still no luck. Then I finally stumbled upon this solution:
Open CMD and then type:
rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "
example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.
This worked for me
-
Proposed as answer by
Rayza73
Friday, August 02, 2013 7:36 AM
August 2nd, 2013 7:34am
I had this same problem using Server 2012 Std. I tried various options of taking ownership of the parent folder because the Security properties of the folder I was trying to delete were blank, using CMD and Dir /x etc. I even tried sharing
the parent folder and then using Server 2008 R2. None of them worked. When I tried Dir /x Server 2012 doesn't show the 8 character filename with the ~1. I tried typing it in myself, but that didn't work either. I then found that there was a space at the end
of the folder name. I then tried all the CMD options again using a space, still no luck. Then I finally stumbled upon this solution:
Open CMD and then type:
rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "
example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.
This worked for me
-
Proposed as answer by
Rayza73
Friday, August 02, 2013 7:36 AM
August 2nd, 2013 7:34am
I had this same problem using Server 2012 Std. I tried various options of taking ownership of the parent folder because the Security properties of the folder I was trying to delete were blank, using CMD and Dir /x etc. I even tried sharing
the parent folder and then using Server 2008 R2. None of them worked. When I tried Dir /x Server 2012 doesn't show the 8 character filename with the ~1. I tried typing it in myself, but that didn't work either. I then found that there was a space at the end
of the folder name. I then tried all the CMD options again using a space, still no luck. Then I finally stumbled upon this solution:
Open CMD and then type:
rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "
example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.
This worked for me
-
Proposed as answer by
Rayza73
Friday, August 02, 2013 7:36 AM
-
Marked as answer by
jazzyhacker
Wednesday, July 22, 2015 10:39 AM
August 2nd, 2013 7:34am
I had this same problem using Server 2012 Std. I tried various options of taking ownership of the parent folder because the Security properties of the folder I was trying to delete were blank, using CMD and Dir /x etc. I even tried sharing
the parent folder and then using Server 2008 R2. None of them worked. When I tried Dir /x Server 2012 doesn't show the 8 character filename with the ~1. I tried typing it in myself, but that didn't work either. I then found that there was a space at the end
of the folder name. I then tried all the CMD options again using a space, still no luck. Then I finally stumbled upon this solution:
Open CMD and then type:
rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "
example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.
This worked for me
I've had a similar problem as detailed above; a power shell script that I wrote incorrectly tested for the existence of a directory and created multiple instances of the same directory.
I can confirm that the post from Rayza73 works like a charm!
@Rayza73: First up thanks for the information. Would it be possible for you to describe how the command is able to find and delete the directory?
Many thanks
Shaun
September 30th, 2013 10:23am
I had same issue, and this was the fix. Thanks Rayza73!
October 13th, 2013 8:01pm
Worked like a charm. Thank you, Rayza73!
December 5th, 2013 2:58am
Fantastic! Had same problem, but this solution worked (once I typed the pathname correctly!)
Thanks!
December 10th, 2013 9:53am
Same issue on Windows 8.1, fix worked great after several attempts and reading very carefully. Space at end required and that "\\?\" is weird. Thanks.
December 12th, 2013 2:43am
rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 "
This is the only way it works with me, also I tried just type the folder name and it doesn't delete the file, you have to insert the whole path in the command.
January 22nd, 2014 12:40am
like
Rayza73 said, it will delete the folder . thanks
Rayza73, me too got the same problem a few months ago! :)
-
Edited by
lilswiftzz
Thursday, February 06, 2014 9:50 AM
February 6th, 2014 9:49am
like
Rayza73 said, it will delete the folder . thanks
Rayza73, me too got the same problem a few months ago! :)
-
Edited by
lilswiftzz
Thursday, February 06, 2014 9:50 AM
February 6th, 2014 9:49am
Open CMD and then type:
rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "
Amazing what one finds when one knows what to look for. Ran in to this problem just this week. Was causing warnings for incomplete backups. Followed Rayza73's guidance, and sure enough....a space at the end of the folder name. Ran
the command and presto - no more folder.
Sweet find Rayza, and thanks for posting.
-
Proposed as answer by
MrTech86
Monday, September 15, 2014 4:00 AM
February 11th, 2014 6:47pm
Open CMD and then type:
rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "
Amazing what one finds when one knows what to look for. Ran in to this problem just this week. Was causing warnings for incomplete backups. Followed Rayza73's guidance, and sure enough....a space at the end of the folder name. Ran
the command and presto - no more folder.
Sweet find Rayza, and thanks for posting.
-
Proposed as answer by
MrTech86
Monday, September 15, 2014 4:00 AM
February 11th, 2014 6:47pm
Awesome. I just had this problem and it was driving me batty. Thanks Rayza73!
February 12th, 2014 3:12pm
You my friend are a genius thanks rayza
February 14th, 2014 11:15am
Got this problem after I joined a domain and had to get rid of an old User folder. I tried every work around I know but did not work. Rayza73 solution worked. Thanks.
March 6th, 2014 9:47am
Use this tool and delete
http://fs32.filehippo.com/1431/0ca49414cc7f438aaaf64c12dbb38dc0/Unlocker1.9.2.exe
May 10th, 2014 2:25pm
Thank you so very much for this answer. Not being able to delete the folder was driving me nuts and I couldn't figure it out.
Thanks again!
-
Proposed as answer by
rollerboogie
Monday, July 28, 2014 5:37 PM
-
Unproposed as answer by
rollerboogie
Monday, July 28, 2014 5:37 PM
June 25th, 2014 10:42am
Thank you so very much for this answer. Not being able to delete the folder was driving me nuts and I couldn't figure it out.
Thanks again!
-
Proposed as answer by
rollerboogie
Monday, July 28, 2014 5:37 PM
-
Unproposed as answer by
rollerboogie
Monday, July 28, 2014 5:37 PM
June 25th, 2014 10:42am
Thanks Rayza73! Worked like a charm!
July 28th, 2014 5:38pm
Hi,
This is Amazing, works like a charm.
It would be great if you could explain how this works.!!!!
Thank you so much.
August 21st, 2014 2:34pm
Thanks to Rayza73!
I was searching for the solution.....
it worked !
September 22nd, 2014 3:37pm
The solution from Rayza73 worked for me as well. Can someone please explain me what does
\\?\ mean?
September 22nd, 2014 6:05pm
I been working with computers a very long time and I had never use this \\?\ combination,
it works
Thanks you
September 27th, 2014 2:20pm
Many thanks for this fix, worked like a charm for me on Windows 7 64bit Home Edition.
October 19th, 2014 6:25pm
Thanks a lot, Rayza73,
I struggled for many months with this error. You got it!
Regards,
kcy
November 12th, 2014 10:51pm
Thank you so much for this, worked a charm as soon as I got the command correct in CMD.
December 13th, 2014 5:20pm
Thank you so very much. That folder had been aggravating me for far to long.
December 15th, 2014 10:31pm
Amazing. I've been looking for a solution to get rid of an empty "windows.old" folder for a long while. This single command took care of it in barely a second. Thanks.
December 31st, 2014 3:27pm
Genius, been trying as everyone else in this thread to resolve this issue. This worked on server 2003, windows 7, and server 2008 R2.
January 28th, 2015 3:14pm
Excellent solution Rayza73 and thanks for posting. This worked great when trying to delete a down level folder in an old user account in Windows 7.
February 1st, 2015 5:33pm
Brilliant, Thank you Rayza.
February 3rd, 2015 12:00pm
Open CMD and then type:
rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "
example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.
I had the same problem and your solution just worked. Thank you!
February 9th, 2015 12:06am
Open CMD and then type:
rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "
example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.
This worked for me
Brilliant solution. Worked like a charm. Thank you so much Rayza.
February 10th, 2015 11:52pm
I had this same problem using Server 2012 Std. I tried various options of taking ownership of the parent folder because the Security properties of the folder I was trying to delete were blank, using CMD and Dir /x etc. I even tried sharing
the parent folder and then using Server 2008 R2. None of them worked. When I tried Dir /x Server 2012 doesn't show the 8 character filename with the ~1. I tried typing it in myself, but that didn't work either. I then found that there was a space at the end
of the folder name. I then tried all the CMD options again using a space, still no luck. Then I finally stumbled upon this solution:
Open CMD and then type:
rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "
example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.
This worked for me
Thank you, this worked for me : )
March 7th, 2015 8:56am
Rayza73's solution works like a charm indeed but has it's limits.
This will not work if you try to delete the parent folder to multiple bad files.
If there are multiple bad files in the same folder, you will have to apply this method repeatedly to each bad file before you can delete the parent folder.
I had to do this to 3 bad files left from software I removed.
March 17th, 2015 12:32am
(Exactly what I had used...) [sic] rd /s "\\?\C:\Users\RmR\Desktop\Carach Angren - Lammendam"
Here is what I started with, having not worked was...rd /s "\\?\C:\Users\RmR\Desktop\Carach Angren - Lammendam "
Conclusion: every little space counts -- additively, use command prompt, and not 'Run' CMD prompter; just a head's up for those who are unfamiliar with BIOS related conceptions.
Much like a former commentator, I've been working with computers for years -- never have I used this solution, never having considered such a thing -- but it works perfectly, because it overrides legitimate system and illicit-systemic
commands and/or firmware -- in which could be derived of virus's, ad-ware and computer overheating (thermal shutdown.)
I used this in college once before, to delete an unnecessary folder on the desktop (to make room for my beautiful wallpaper), however, I hadn't remembered what I did -- so I found this page; much to
my dismay, I didn't think I would find anything of beneficence on a Microsoft website...sure enough, I was wrong. Thank you (contributors and problem-solvers), hopefully one day I can repay this debt with l33t ha3xors ski11s and advice.
Wishing you and yours the best...
Sincerely, J - A. Eder;
-
Edited by
Darkly Origins
9 hours 24 minutes ago
?
April 11th, 2015 5:38pm
(Exactly what I had used...) [sic] rd /s "\\?\C:\Users\RmR\Desktop\Carach Angren - Lammendam"
Here is what I started with, having not worked was...rd /s "\\?\C:\Users\RmR\Desktop\Carach Angren - Lammendam "
Conclusion: every little space counts -- additively, use command prompt, and not 'Run' CMD prompter; just a head's up for those who are unfamiliar with BIOS related conceptions.
Much like a former commentator, I've been working with computers for years -- never have I used this solution, never having considered such a thing -- but it works perfectly, because it overrides legitimate system and illicit-systemic
commands and/or firmware -- in which could be derived of virus's, ad-ware and computer overheating (thermal shutdown.)
I used this in college once before, to delete an unnecessary folder on the desktop (to make room for my beautiful wallpaper), however, I hadn't remembered what I did -- so I found this page; much to
my dismay, I didn't think I would find anything of beneficence on a Microsoft website...sure enough, I was wrong. Thank you (contributors and problem-solvers), hopefully one day I can repay this debt with l33t ha3xors ski11s and advice.
Wishing you and yours the best...
Sincerely, J - A. Eder;
-
Edited by
Darkly Origins
Saturday, April 11, 2015 9:36 PM
?
-
Proposed as answer by
Astral Tim
Monday, April 13, 2015 1:17 AM
April 11th, 2015 9:34pm
Thanks for this! It worked great! I had a folder that simply wouldn't delete. I would try to delete it via the traditional delete process and received a message indicating it couldn't be found. I tried "BleachBit" and received
an error. I then applied your fix in DOS as Administrator:
rd /s "\\?\D:\DATA\B" (The bad directory folder that I wanted to delete was "D:\DATA\B" or the "B" folder in the "DATA" directory of drive "D". ) There were several other empty folders
inside the "B" folder with a directory structure that never seemed to end. I will certainly keep this tip for my records. Greatly appreciated!
Buy
Roboform Here!
April 13th, 2015 1:11am
Thanks !!! That one works
April 15th, 2015 7:55am
Thanks rayza, this worked! I had this problem on Windows 8.1. Glad I found your post.
April 26th, 2015 11:47am
More than thanx a looot to you!! god bless you!!
April 30th, 2015 4:22pm
Thank You Rayza73! You are a life saver!
May 6th, 2015 6:13pm
Thanks, work for me!
May 12th, 2015 10:58pm
Worked like a charm dude. Awsome.
May 23rd, 2015 11:44am
I had this same problem using Server 2012 Std. I tried various options of taking ownership of the parent folder because the Security properties of the folder I was trying to delete were blank, using CMD and Dir /x etc. I even tried sharing
the parent folder and then using Server 2008 R2. None of them worked. When I tried Dir /x Server 2012 doesn't show the 8 character filename with the ~1. I tried typing it in myself, but that didn't work either. I then found that there was a space at the end
of the folder name. I then tried all the CMD options again using a space, still no luck. Then I finally stumbled upon this solution:
Open CMD and then type:
rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "
example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.
This worked for me
Tried this but didn't work for me. When I try to delete the bad folder, I get an error "The system could not find the file specified." And it lists a .nfo file inside this folder. If I try the command on the file itself, I get the same error. This
is in WHS2011. Can anyone help me?
-
Edited by
Someboody
3 hours 3 minutes ago
May 27th, 2015 11:32pm
I had this same problem using Server 2012 Std. I tried various options of taking ownership of the parent folder because the Security properties of the folder I was trying to delete were blank, using CMD and Dir /x etc. I even tried sharing
the parent folder and then using Server 2008 R2. None of them worked. When I tried Dir /x Server 2012 doesn't show the 8 character filename with the ~1. I tried typing it in myself, but that didn't work either. I then found that there was a space at the end
of the folder name. I then tried all the CMD options again using a space, still no luck. Then I finally stumbled upon this solution:
Open CMD and then type:
rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "
example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.
This worked for me
Tried this but didn't work for me. When I try to delete the bad folder, I get an error "The system could not find the file specified." And it lists a .nfo file inside this folder. If I try the command on the file itself, I get the same error. This
is in WHS2011. Can anyone help me?
-
Edited by
Someboody
Thursday, May 28, 2015 3:57 AM
-
Proposed as answer by
Blackberries
Thursday, June 04, 2015 8:50 AM
-
Unproposed as answer by
Blackberries
Thursday, June 04, 2015 8:51 AM
May 28th, 2015 3:28am
Please try the following:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/79699-undeletable-file-delete.html
It worked for the same problem in my computer running on Win 7.
June 4th, 2015 8:51am
Open CMD and then type:
rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "
example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.
This worked for me
THANKS Rayza73!!! It worked! Note to others... you must leave the \\?\ in the command and include the space at the end!
June 18th, 2015 2:47pm
Didn't work until I put a space at the end before end quotes. Thanks!
July 24th, 2015 8:11pm
Your right, thanks mate. Unlocker worked perfect and easier than using command lines. fyi to all when using Unlocker, click drop down menu and select delete
Thank you Naresh!!!
-
Edited by
six_tymes
1 hour 10 minutes ago
September 5th, 2015 1:58am
Your right, thanks mate. Unlocker worked perfect and easier than using command lines. fyi to all when using Unlocker, click drop down menu and select delete
Thank you Naresh!!!
-
Edited by
six_tymes
Saturday, September 05, 2015 5:49 AM
September 5th, 2015 5:49am