I can't delete a file from my desktop

[desmoths]

I have troubles on deleting a file from my desktop. Each time I try it, a message pops up " Could not find this item.

This is no longer located in ......Verify the items location and then try again "

The file is 0kb. I run Windows 7.

What can I do?

[DavidPK]

Hi,

The first thing I would try is simply to restart the notebook and see if the file is still there when Windows has reloaded.

Regards,

DP-K

[desmoths]

DavidP-K thnaks for your quick answer,

I did restart the noteboke with no results

[InvaderZIM]

Hi

try to remove file under Safe Mode

if wont help, find some software that delete such files (there is bunch of freeware)

[DavidPK]

Hi,

Sounds like you have a corrupted file or link, so try the following.

Download and install the free version of MalwareBytes on the links below.

MBAM

When installed, launch the application - you may need to go through updating it first - then click More Tools from the toolbar and click the button to run FileASSASSIN.  Browse to the location of the file - in the left pane open Local Disk C, open Users, open 'Your User Name' and open Desktop, then double click the file you can't delete and select Yes when prompted - does this remove it?

Regards,

DP-K

[desmoths]

I did all you said, but when I click on the file to open it , a message pops up: " The file is not found. Check the file name and try again".

What is going on?

[DavidPK]

Hi,

Try the following.

Right click the file and select 'Open With' and choose NotePad.  You should now see a prompt telling you the file does not exist and would you like to create it - select Yes.  Notepad should now open, type a few letters in and then click File and select Save.  Close Notepad and then try right clicking the file and selecting delete.

Regards,

DP-K

[desmoths]

David PK,

I really hoped it would work this time, but unfortunately the file is still there. When I right click and choose to open it  with the notepad, nothing happens....It's a real  mystery, I don't know if I will ever find a solution on that. 

Thanks so much for your suggestions anyway.  If you think of anyother possible solution, please let me know.

Regards,

Desmoths

[DavidPK]

Hi,

Here is a slight variation on the previous method that may work.

From the Start Menu, open the Control Panel and open Folder Options.  Click the View tab, fill in the radio button titled 'Show hidden files folders and Drives' and take the tick out of the box next to 'Hide extensions of known file types'.  Click apply to make these changes.

Now go back to the Desktop and make a note of the full name of the file, including its extension (  ie nameoffile.exe ).

Now click the Start Menu, open All Programs, open Accessories and open Notepad - type in a few letters, then click File and select Save as.  In the left hand pane, click on Desktop and then in the file name entry box type the exact name of the undeletable file including its extension ( ie nameoffile.exe ) and click the Save button - click yes to any prompt asking you if you're sure you want to overwrite.  Close Notepad and see if you can now delete the file.

If the above works, go back to Folder Options and re-hide Hidden files folders and Drives and extensions of known file types - click Apply to save the change.

Regards,

DP-K.

[Rachealiz2nd]

Spoiler

This totally saved me!! I had so many files on my laptop...still trying to get use to windows 10 I found this, and was able to clean my desktop in no time!! Thanks so much. :womanvery-happy: