Cannot delete files
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- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 19:59
- Location: Terneuzen, the Netherlands
Cannot delete files
The last few months I frequently have situations that after I move a file from my desktop to a folder, the file remains on the desktop and does not delete. The icon is gone, but what remains has become inaccessible. I cannot run it anymore, I cannot rename it and most of all: I cannot delete it.
So of course, I checked the obvious things: I am administrator on my system, I went to Properties / security but I have NO rights there (I cannot make myself owner: no rights). I went to an elevated CMD (or PowerShell) prompt... nothing. I tried "TakeOwn", nothing.
If I do a 'dir' in Powershell I even get an error on the files.
Last resort: I do "UnLocker" and have the files deleted after reboot... Does not work...!
After a few days, the file sometimes disappear...
The only thing that worked is start in Safe-mode. But I don't want that all the time.
Why does this happen and/or how do I get to the files so I can delete them?
So of course, I checked the obvious things: I am administrator on my system, I went to Properties / security but I have NO rights there (I cannot make myself owner: no rights). I went to an elevated CMD (or PowerShell) prompt... nothing. I tried "TakeOwn", nothing.
If I do a 'dir' in Powershell I even get an error on the files.
Last resort: I do "UnLocker" and have the files deleted after reboot... Does not work...!
After a few days, the file sometimes disappear...
The only thing that worked is start in Safe-mode. But I don't want that all the time.
Why does this happen and/or how do I get to the files so I can delete them?
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- gamma jay
- Posts: 25455
- Joined: 17 Mar 2010, 17:33
- Location: Cape Town
Re: Cannot delete files
I have encountered this scenario from time to time also. In my case the file actually was moved/deleted but the desktop or folder was not refreshed automatically. So simply pressing F5 refreshed the desktop or folder and the icons disappeared. I'm not saying this is what you are experiencing, but if it happens again, try pressing F5 and see if that helps.
PS: I'm not sure why my PC sometimes does not refresh, but it seems intermittent and later fixes itself???!
PS: I'm not sure why my PC sometimes does not refresh, but it seems intermittent and later fixes itself???!
Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
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- 2StarLounger
- Posts: 156
- Joined: 02 Nov 2016, 12:56
Re: Cannot delete files
https://superuser.com/questions/1258643 ... -files-fol
Various settings Solutions in this above Thread to consider......
Various settings Solutions in this above Thread to consider......
Win 10 Pro 22H2 | ESET EIS Prem | Mbam Prem | Diskeeper Pro '15 | Macrium Pd v8
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- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 19:59
- Location: Terneuzen, the Netherlands
Re: Cannot delete files
I tried this, it's no a refresh issue. The files are there, also after a reboot...
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- GoldLounger
- Posts: 2599
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:26
- Location: Olympia, WA
Re: Cannot delete files
Is this desktop folder related to any cloud function?
I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living
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- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 19:59
- Location: Terneuzen, the Netherlands
Re: Cannot delete files
Nope, nothing OneDrive or similar
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- GoldLounger
- Posts: 2599
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:26
- Location: Olympia, WA
Re: Cannot delete files
What type of files are these that you can NOT remove?
Also do you have system hidden files turned on?
Also do you have system hidden files turned on?
I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living
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- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 19:59
- Location: Terneuzen, the Netherlands
Re: Cannot delete files
All good questions, thanks. It happens with all type files and it's not related to file properties like hidden or system.
I have not had this the last few days BTW; as soon as it happens again I'll try to post some screenshots
I have not had this the last few days BTW; as soon as it happens again I'll try to post some screenshots
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- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 19:59
- Location: Terneuzen, the Netherlands
Re: Cannot delete files
It happened again just now...
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- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 19:59
- Location: Terneuzen, the Netherlands
Re: Cannot delete files
And again...
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- 2StarLounger
- Posts: 156
- Joined: 02 Nov 2016, 12:56
Re: Cannot delete files
So of course, I checked the obvious things: I am administrator on my system, I went to Properties / security but I have NO rights there (I cannot make myself owner: no rights).
==============================================================
Properties above is the SAME Rt-Clk My PC Desktop Properties I posted about?
Don't forget I could Not - SAVE to Desktop - and found that in My PC\Desktop\Rt Clk\Properties\Security tab\Everyone (group) had the Modify Box UN-chk'd --- I chk'd it and (Then) Saved a Word Doc to the desktop + dnloaded a small app.
IF we're talking the Same Properties then THAT may be part of the Solution and you must find WHY you cannot gain Rights to Change settings as I did.
==============================================================
Properties above is the SAME Rt-Clk My PC Desktop Properties I posted about?
Don't forget I could Not - SAVE to Desktop - and found that in My PC\Desktop\Rt Clk\Properties\Security tab\Everyone (group) had the Modify Box UN-chk'd --- I chk'd it and (Then) Saved a Word Doc to the desktop + dnloaded a small app.
IF we're talking the Same Properties then THAT may be part of the Solution and you must find WHY you cannot gain Rights to Change settings as I did.
Win 10 Pro 22H2 | ESET EIS Prem | Mbam Prem | Diskeeper Pro '15 | Macrium Pd v8
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- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 19:59
- Location: Terneuzen, the Netherlands
Re: Cannot delete files
Thanks Craig, not sure if I follow what you are trying to say. This is NOT related to desktop refreshing; the problem even survives reboots. Oddly enough.. I comes suddenly and after a while the files disappear suddenly as well.
I tried hard to make this reproducible but to date I can't.
(I I can make screen shots available if needed)
I tried hard to make this reproducible but to date I can't.
(I I can make screen shots available if needed)
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- 2StarLounger
- Posts: 156
- Joined: 02 Nov 2016, 12:56
Re: Cannot delete files
I wasn't speaking of Desktop Refresh.
I was interested in a My PC Desktop Properties Modify Box Setting that in my case for the "Everyone" group was UN-chk'd; Chking it FIXed my inability to Save to Desktop and I reasoned a SETTINGS change in Your Desktop Properties may be in order as was the case for me.
I wasn't clear IF - Properties / security - mentioned in your Post #1 was the Same as the one I Modified. IF the same then you should have then ability to Chk a Box that needs it.
My Save to Desktop and your Delete issues FROM Desktop are not twins for sure, but at this stage it seemed worth a shot to look there.
I was interested in a My PC Desktop Properties Modify Box Setting that in my case for the "Everyone" group was UN-chk'd; Chking it FIXed my inability to Save to Desktop and I reasoned a SETTINGS change in Your Desktop Properties may be in order as was the case for me.
I wasn't clear IF - Properties / security - mentioned in your Post #1 was the Same as the one I Modified. IF the same then you should have then ability to Chk a Box that needs it.
My Save to Desktop and your Delete issues FROM Desktop are not twins for sure, but at this stage it seemed worth a shot to look there.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Win 10 Pro 22H2 | ESET EIS Prem | Mbam Prem | Diskeeper Pro '15 | Macrium Pd v8
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- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 19:59
- Location: Terneuzen, the Netherlands
Re: Cannot delete files
Here are my results
For the Desktop, I'd argue that EveryOne is nice, but not correct as other users should not see one's Desktop. For my file I see this: If I click Advanced I get this (same message for the "Effiective Access" tab)
For the Desktop, I'd argue that EveryOne is nice, but not correct as other users should not see one's Desktop. For my file I see this: If I click Advanced I get this (same message for the "Effiective Access" tab)
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 19:59
- Location: Terneuzen, the Netherlands
Re: Cannot delete files
Files are still there... I believe the only way to get rid of them is wait (sometimes they suddenly disappear) or reboot in safe-mode.
FYI; I tried tools like "UnLocker" that delete files during boot... Doesn't work!
FYI; I tried tools like "UnLocker" that delete files during boot... Doesn't work!
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- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 19:59
- Location: Terneuzen, the Netherlands
Re: Cannot delete files
I tried icacls and takeown in an elevated CMD window: "Access denied".
A DIR still lists the file and I see it on my desktop but with a white rectangular icon only
Attrib works (giving just "A"), but I can't change it
A DIR still lists the file and I see it on my desktop but with a white rectangular icon only
Attrib works (giving just "A"), but I can't change it
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- GoldLounger
- Posts: 2599
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:26
- Location: Olympia, WA
Re: Cannot delete files
Are you trying to delete this file by clicking the icon on the desktop or from Windows Explores and selecting it from the list?
Also, if from the list, are you logged in as the user of this desktop folder?
Also, if from the list, are you logged in as the user of this desktop folder?
I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living
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- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 19:59
- Location: Terneuzen, the Netherlands
Re: Cannot delete files
Yes, yes and yes. :)
No matter what I do, I can't delete the file. Not from the Desktop, nor from File Explorer. And yes, I am admin and owner.
Note: the one file I got appeared WITH it's original icon today and I could delete it... Magic?
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- UraniumLounger
- Posts: 9300
- Joined: 13 Feb 2010, 01:27
- Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas
Re: Cannot delete files
Is it possible that malware of some kind has crept into your system?
Run whatever anti-malware software you have to see if anything turns up.
Run whatever anti-malware software you have to see if anything turns up.
Bob's yer Uncle
Dell Intel Core i5 Laptop, 3570K,1.60 GHz, 8 GB RAM, Windows 11 64-bit, LibreOffice,and other bits and bobs
(1/2)(1+√5) |
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- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 19:59
- Location: Terneuzen, the Netherlands
Re: Cannot delete files
Now, I have antivirus (paid), MalwareBytes (paid), run ADWCleaner and HitManPro occasionally and if I don't trust a file I check with VirusTotal... All my software is legal. Very slim chance I have 'something'. Good suggestion however, thanks :)