At the No-Nonsense Tech Tips clubhouse, we provide direct, simple solutions to a variety of issues that crop up with all of your favorite (and not-so-favorite) programs. From Adobe, Microsoft, and Google suites all the way through Bulk Rename Utility, MKVToolnix, Kodi, and everything in-between, we got you covered. Find agony-free tips when you run into problems related to your document, video, audio, and other tech issues.
Pick your poison...
Which program is being problematic?
How To Force Delete An Undeletable File ("File Not Found")
If you are getting this error, you're probably tearing your hair out trying to get something to just freakin' delete. If this is you, give this trick a try.
Step 1: Open CMD
The shortcut is Win+R, which will open the Run prompt. From there, type "cmd" in the box and hit ok. This should open up the command window, as seen here.
If your file is in a specific folder, you can also click the address bar, type "cmd" directly in that field, then hit enter. Doing so should also open the command window, already pre-navigated to that folder. If you do this, skip step 2.
Step 2: Navigate to the folder with the file in it
Right click the file that is giving you issues and select properties. From the General tab of the propeties window, find the "Location" field and copy it.
Now go to your open command window and enter in the below code. Swap out the [LOCATION ADDRESS OF FILE] with the location address you copied from the properties panel.
cd /d [LOCATION ADDRESS OF FILE]
After inputting the code as written, press Enter.
Step 3: Identify the hidden filename
Now, enter the below code and press Enter.
dir /x
This will generate a directory of that location. One of the items listed should be the a filename for the problematic file.
Step 4: Delete the problematic file
Now that we have identified the hidden filename, it is time to murk it. To remove this cretin, enter the below code. Replace the [FILENAME IDENTIFIED IN STEP 3] in the code with the hidden filename discovered previously.
rmdir /q /s [FILENAME IDENTIFIED IN STEP 3]
Press Enter to pull dat trigger. Unless something more complicated is at foot, the file in question should have moved on to the next life.
That's it!
At the clubhouse, we are a collective of quality content. Our mission is to share our wisdom, insights, and resourced with the world. Whether that takes the form of helping you figure out that Power Apps project for work, giving you ideas to write that novel, or giving you the hot scoop of whether that movie/show/game/book/album is worth your time or complete garbage.
