How to delete an invincible 0 byte file?












22















I have a file whose size is 0 bytes. When I try to remove it an error message appears, saying "Could not find file".



Here is the list of things I've tried to delete the file:




  • Rebooted

  • Reset folder options

  • Cleaned the registry with CCleaner

  • Using the del command

  • Replacing it with a different file


The dir command gives this information about the file:



25.06.2011 21:06 0 STALKER


File properties:



asdf



How can I remove it?










share|improve this question




















  • 5





    When you tried Del from the command prompt, did you try del *. to delete all files in the folder with no extension?

    – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
    Sep 7 '11 at 18:15






  • 3





    @techio007 - since that worked, you should submit it as an Answer and then yoz1k can mark it as correct. This will make it easier for others with the same problem to find help. Thanks.

    – jcrawfordor
    Sep 7 '11 at 19:23











  • possible duplicate of Can't delete pdf file!

    – Moab
    Sep 8 '11 at 3:48






  • 1





    Wait, so del stalker didn’t work, but del *. did? Are you sure the filename didn’t have a trailing space or something? If you hadn’t deleted it, you would have wanted to bring up its Properties Dialog again, then press End in the filename field to see if there are any extra whitespace characters at the end. ;-)

    – Synetech
    Sep 8 '11 at 3:50











  • @Moab, it’s not the same. That question was about a locked file, this one is not locked, it probably has an invalid filename. That’s why the two questions have completely different answers (and if it were locked like in the other question, the command in the solution wouldn’t have worked).

    – Synetech
    Sep 8 '11 at 3:52
















22















I have a file whose size is 0 bytes. When I try to remove it an error message appears, saying "Could not find file".



Here is the list of things I've tried to delete the file:




  • Rebooted

  • Reset folder options

  • Cleaned the registry with CCleaner

  • Using the del command

  • Replacing it with a different file


The dir command gives this information about the file:



25.06.2011 21:06 0 STALKER


File properties:



asdf



How can I remove it?










share|improve this question




















  • 5





    When you tried Del from the command prompt, did you try del *. to delete all files in the folder with no extension?

    – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
    Sep 7 '11 at 18:15






  • 3





    @techio007 - since that worked, you should submit it as an Answer and then yoz1k can mark it as correct. This will make it easier for others with the same problem to find help. Thanks.

    – jcrawfordor
    Sep 7 '11 at 19:23











  • possible duplicate of Can't delete pdf file!

    – Moab
    Sep 8 '11 at 3:48






  • 1





    Wait, so del stalker didn’t work, but del *. did? Are you sure the filename didn’t have a trailing space or something? If you hadn’t deleted it, you would have wanted to bring up its Properties Dialog again, then press End in the filename field to see if there are any extra whitespace characters at the end. ;-)

    – Synetech
    Sep 8 '11 at 3:50











  • @Moab, it’s not the same. That question was about a locked file, this one is not locked, it probably has an invalid filename. That’s why the two questions have completely different answers (and if it were locked like in the other question, the command in the solution wouldn’t have worked).

    – Synetech
    Sep 8 '11 at 3:52














22












22








22


4






I have a file whose size is 0 bytes. When I try to remove it an error message appears, saying "Could not find file".



Here is the list of things I've tried to delete the file:




  • Rebooted

  • Reset folder options

  • Cleaned the registry with CCleaner

  • Using the del command

  • Replacing it with a different file


The dir command gives this information about the file:



25.06.2011 21:06 0 STALKER


File properties:



asdf



How can I remove it?










share|improve this question
















I have a file whose size is 0 bytes. When I try to remove it an error message appears, saying "Could not find file".



Here is the list of things I've tried to delete the file:




  • Rebooted

  • Reset folder options

  • Cleaned the registry with CCleaner

  • Using the del command

  • Replacing it with a different file


The dir command gives this information about the file:



25.06.2011 21:06 0 STALKER


File properties:



asdf



How can I remove it?







windows-7






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Dec 29 '18 at 12:38









Run5k

10.8k73051




10.8k73051










asked Sep 7 '11 at 18:09









yzkyzk

213127




213127








  • 5





    When you tried Del from the command prompt, did you try del *. to delete all files in the folder with no extension?

    – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
    Sep 7 '11 at 18:15






  • 3





    @techio007 - since that worked, you should submit it as an Answer and then yoz1k can mark it as correct. This will make it easier for others with the same problem to find help. Thanks.

    – jcrawfordor
    Sep 7 '11 at 19:23











  • possible duplicate of Can't delete pdf file!

    – Moab
    Sep 8 '11 at 3:48






  • 1





    Wait, so del stalker didn’t work, but del *. did? Are you sure the filename didn’t have a trailing space or something? If you hadn’t deleted it, you would have wanted to bring up its Properties Dialog again, then press End in the filename field to see if there are any extra whitespace characters at the end. ;-)

    – Synetech
    Sep 8 '11 at 3:50











  • @Moab, it’s not the same. That question was about a locked file, this one is not locked, it probably has an invalid filename. That’s why the two questions have completely different answers (and if it were locked like in the other question, the command in the solution wouldn’t have worked).

    – Synetech
    Sep 8 '11 at 3:52














  • 5





    When you tried Del from the command prompt, did you try del *. to delete all files in the folder with no extension?

    – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
    Sep 7 '11 at 18:15






  • 3





    @techio007 - since that worked, you should submit it as an Answer and then yoz1k can mark it as correct. This will make it easier for others with the same problem to find help. Thanks.

    – jcrawfordor
    Sep 7 '11 at 19:23











  • possible duplicate of Can't delete pdf file!

    – Moab
    Sep 8 '11 at 3:48






  • 1





    Wait, so del stalker didn’t work, but del *. did? Are you sure the filename didn’t have a trailing space or something? If you hadn’t deleted it, you would have wanted to bring up its Properties Dialog again, then press End in the filename field to see if there are any extra whitespace characters at the end. ;-)

    – Synetech
    Sep 8 '11 at 3:50











  • @Moab, it’s not the same. That question was about a locked file, this one is not locked, it probably has an invalid filename. That’s why the two questions have completely different answers (and if it were locked like in the other question, the command in the solution wouldn’t have worked).

    – Synetech
    Sep 8 '11 at 3:52








5




5





When you tried Del from the command prompt, did you try del *. to delete all files in the folder with no extension?

– Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
Sep 7 '11 at 18:15





When you tried Del from the command prompt, did you try del *. to delete all files in the folder with no extension?

– Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
Sep 7 '11 at 18:15




3




3





@techio007 - since that worked, you should submit it as an Answer and then yoz1k can mark it as correct. This will make it easier for others with the same problem to find help. Thanks.

– jcrawfordor
Sep 7 '11 at 19:23





@techio007 - since that worked, you should submit it as an Answer and then yoz1k can mark it as correct. This will make it easier for others with the same problem to find help. Thanks.

– jcrawfordor
Sep 7 '11 at 19:23













possible duplicate of Can't delete pdf file!

– Moab
Sep 8 '11 at 3:48





possible duplicate of Can't delete pdf file!

– Moab
Sep 8 '11 at 3:48




1




1





Wait, so del stalker didn’t work, but del *. did? Are you sure the filename didn’t have a trailing space or something? If you hadn’t deleted it, you would have wanted to bring up its Properties Dialog again, then press End in the filename field to see if there are any extra whitespace characters at the end. ;-)

– Synetech
Sep 8 '11 at 3:50





Wait, so del stalker didn’t work, but del *. did? Are you sure the filename didn’t have a trailing space or something? If you hadn’t deleted it, you would have wanted to bring up its Properties Dialog again, then press End in the filename field to see if there are any extra whitespace characters at the end. ;-)

– Synetech
Sep 8 '11 at 3:50













@Moab, it’s not the same. That question was about a locked file, this one is not locked, it probably has an invalid filename. That’s why the two questions have completely different answers (and if it were locked like in the other question, the command in the solution wouldn’t have worked).

– Synetech
Sep 8 '11 at 3:52





@Moab, it’s not the same. That question was about a locked file, this one is not locked, it probably has an invalid filename. That’s why the two questions have completely different answers (and if it were locked like in the other question, the command in the solution wouldn’t have worked).

– Synetech
Sep 8 '11 at 3:52










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















11














Try del *. from the command prompt while in the folder the file's in. It will delete all the files in that folder that have no extension.






share|improve this answer





















  • 2





    Only there isn't any reason why Windows wouldn't be able to display its attributes (time, ACL), just because it has no extension. In this case it's most likely that the file had a trailing dot, which many Win32 programs will choke on.

    – 0xC0000022L
    Feb 19 '13 at 11:33











  • This command won't work sometimes. In case it fails, I found another way to delete the file: 1. Obtain the 8.3 file name with dir /x command. 2. Delete the file with del problem_file_in_8.3_format. More information about this: superuser.com/questions/388860/….

    – Seitaridis
    Jan 31 '15 at 19:27













  • This answer does not work for me. Just get the usual file not found error. dir /x does not produce another name than dir.

    – Deleet
    Jun 3 '16 at 10:05



















11














Actually the del *. doesn't always work. The best answer I have found so far is:




  1. Open an elevated command prompt

  2. Enter del "\?C:UsersuserXbytefile"


... and voila, the file is deleted. No need to restart or anything else, just need to put \? before the directory when using the del command. Also use the tab button to make sure the name is correct; sometimes a space is added at the end that can be easily missed.



An explanation can be found here: Why does this file apparently not exist when attempting to delete it?






share|improve this answer


























  • This method worked for my file, which could not be deleted using del *. or other tricks.

    – Deleet
    Jun 3 '16 at 10:07



















0














I can tell you one thing, I've sad on it for about 25 min researching internet for answers and not even solutions here helped, honestly i think people are trying to do it in the worst, most complicated way where there is and easy fix. I remembered old days, win98, xp dealing with the most complicated staff in systems because just wanted do more and more and i remembered back there there was only one best way to actually control all your files on a pc and i just got myself a total commander.






  1. Install

  2. Run as an Administrator

  3. Find the file/folder

  4. Delete with your keyboard 'DEL'


Done!






share|improve this answer































    -2














    You can also try to setup mutiboot with Linux. You can mount your Windows disk and delete it, (as long as it's not encrypted).



    I'd recommend Linux Mint. Just download the .iso file and burn it to a disk or create a bootable flash drive.






    share|improve this answer
























      protected by Community Jan 26 '18 at 9:22



      Thank you for your interest in this question.
      Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).



      Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?














      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

      votes








      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      11














      Try del *. from the command prompt while in the folder the file's in. It will delete all the files in that folder that have no extension.






      share|improve this answer





















      • 2





        Only there isn't any reason why Windows wouldn't be able to display its attributes (time, ACL), just because it has no extension. In this case it's most likely that the file had a trailing dot, which many Win32 programs will choke on.

        – 0xC0000022L
        Feb 19 '13 at 11:33











      • This command won't work sometimes. In case it fails, I found another way to delete the file: 1. Obtain the 8.3 file name with dir /x command. 2. Delete the file with del problem_file_in_8.3_format. More information about this: superuser.com/questions/388860/….

        – Seitaridis
        Jan 31 '15 at 19:27













      • This answer does not work for me. Just get the usual file not found error. dir /x does not produce another name than dir.

        – Deleet
        Jun 3 '16 at 10:05
















      11














      Try del *. from the command prompt while in the folder the file's in. It will delete all the files in that folder that have no extension.






      share|improve this answer





















      • 2





        Only there isn't any reason why Windows wouldn't be able to display its attributes (time, ACL), just because it has no extension. In this case it's most likely that the file had a trailing dot, which many Win32 programs will choke on.

        – 0xC0000022L
        Feb 19 '13 at 11:33











      • This command won't work sometimes. In case it fails, I found another way to delete the file: 1. Obtain the 8.3 file name with dir /x command. 2. Delete the file with del problem_file_in_8.3_format. More information about this: superuser.com/questions/388860/….

        – Seitaridis
        Jan 31 '15 at 19:27













      • This answer does not work for me. Just get the usual file not found error. dir /x does not produce another name than dir.

        – Deleet
        Jun 3 '16 at 10:05














      11












      11








      11







      Try del *. from the command prompt while in the folder the file's in. It will delete all the files in that folder that have no extension.






      share|improve this answer















      Try del *. from the command prompt while in the folder the file's in. It will delete all the files in that folder that have no extension.







      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      edited Sep 21 '12 at 11:19









      slhck

      160k47444466




      160k47444466










      answered Sep 8 '11 at 4:06









      Tyler FaileTyler Faile

      2,30812340




      2,30812340








      • 2





        Only there isn't any reason why Windows wouldn't be able to display its attributes (time, ACL), just because it has no extension. In this case it's most likely that the file had a trailing dot, which many Win32 programs will choke on.

        – 0xC0000022L
        Feb 19 '13 at 11:33











      • This command won't work sometimes. In case it fails, I found another way to delete the file: 1. Obtain the 8.3 file name with dir /x command. 2. Delete the file with del problem_file_in_8.3_format. More information about this: superuser.com/questions/388860/….

        – Seitaridis
        Jan 31 '15 at 19:27













      • This answer does not work for me. Just get the usual file not found error. dir /x does not produce another name than dir.

        – Deleet
        Jun 3 '16 at 10:05














      • 2





        Only there isn't any reason why Windows wouldn't be able to display its attributes (time, ACL), just because it has no extension. In this case it's most likely that the file had a trailing dot, which many Win32 programs will choke on.

        – 0xC0000022L
        Feb 19 '13 at 11:33











      • This command won't work sometimes. In case it fails, I found another way to delete the file: 1. Obtain the 8.3 file name with dir /x command. 2. Delete the file with del problem_file_in_8.3_format. More information about this: superuser.com/questions/388860/….

        – Seitaridis
        Jan 31 '15 at 19:27













      • This answer does not work for me. Just get the usual file not found error. dir /x does not produce another name than dir.

        – Deleet
        Jun 3 '16 at 10:05








      2




      2





      Only there isn't any reason why Windows wouldn't be able to display its attributes (time, ACL), just because it has no extension. In this case it's most likely that the file had a trailing dot, which many Win32 programs will choke on.

      – 0xC0000022L
      Feb 19 '13 at 11:33





      Only there isn't any reason why Windows wouldn't be able to display its attributes (time, ACL), just because it has no extension. In this case it's most likely that the file had a trailing dot, which many Win32 programs will choke on.

      – 0xC0000022L
      Feb 19 '13 at 11:33













      This command won't work sometimes. In case it fails, I found another way to delete the file: 1. Obtain the 8.3 file name with dir /x command. 2. Delete the file with del problem_file_in_8.3_format. More information about this: superuser.com/questions/388860/….

      – Seitaridis
      Jan 31 '15 at 19:27







      This command won't work sometimes. In case it fails, I found another way to delete the file: 1. Obtain the 8.3 file name with dir /x command. 2. Delete the file with del problem_file_in_8.3_format. More information about this: superuser.com/questions/388860/….

      – Seitaridis
      Jan 31 '15 at 19:27















      This answer does not work for me. Just get the usual file not found error. dir /x does not produce another name than dir.

      – Deleet
      Jun 3 '16 at 10:05





      This answer does not work for me. Just get the usual file not found error. dir /x does not produce another name than dir.

      – Deleet
      Jun 3 '16 at 10:05













      11














      Actually the del *. doesn't always work. The best answer I have found so far is:




      1. Open an elevated command prompt

      2. Enter del "\?C:UsersuserXbytefile"


      ... and voila, the file is deleted. No need to restart or anything else, just need to put \? before the directory when using the del command. Also use the tab button to make sure the name is correct; sometimes a space is added at the end that can be easily missed.



      An explanation can be found here: Why does this file apparently not exist when attempting to delete it?






      share|improve this answer


























      • This method worked for my file, which could not be deleted using del *. or other tricks.

        – Deleet
        Jun 3 '16 at 10:07
















      11














      Actually the del *. doesn't always work. The best answer I have found so far is:




      1. Open an elevated command prompt

      2. Enter del "\?C:UsersuserXbytefile"


      ... and voila, the file is deleted. No need to restart or anything else, just need to put \? before the directory when using the del command. Also use the tab button to make sure the name is correct; sometimes a space is added at the end that can be easily missed.



      An explanation can be found here: Why does this file apparently not exist when attempting to delete it?






      share|improve this answer


























      • This method worked for my file, which could not be deleted using del *. or other tricks.

        – Deleet
        Jun 3 '16 at 10:07














      11












      11








      11







      Actually the del *. doesn't always work. The best answer I have found so far is:




      1. Open an elevated command prompt

      2. Enter del "\?C:UsersuserXbytefile"


      ... and voila, the file is deleted. No need to restart or anything else, just need to put \? before the directory when using the del command. Also use the tab button to make sure the name is correct; sometimes a space is added at the end that can be easily missed.



      An explanation can be found here: Why does this file apparently not exist when attempting to delete it?






      share|improve this answer















      Actually the del *. doesn't always work. The best answer I have found so far is:




      1. Open an elevated command prompt

      2. Enter del "\?C:UsersuserXbytefile"


      ... and voila, the file is deleted. No need to restart or anything else, just need to put \? before the directory when using the del command. Also use the tab button to make sure the name is correct; sometimes a space is added at the end that can be easily missed.



      An explanation can be found here: Why does this file apparently not exist when attempting to delete it?







      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17









      Community

      1




      1










      answered Feb 19 '13 at 11:22









      Fivos KourouyiannisFivos Kourouyiannis

      11114




      11114













      • This method worked for my file, which could not be deleted using del *. or other tricks.

        – Deleet
        Jun 3 '16 at 10:07



















      • This method worked for my file, which could not be deleted using del *. or other tricks.

        – Deleet
        Jun 3 '16 at 10:07

















      This method worked for my file, which could not be deleted using del *. or other tricks.

      – Deleet
      Jun 3 '16 at 10:07





      This method worked for my file, which could not be deleted using del *. or other tricks.

      – Deleet
      Jun 3 '16 at 10:07











      0














      I can tell you one thing, I've sad on it for about 25 min researching internet for answers and not even solutions here helped, honestly i think people are trying to do it in the worst, most complicated way where there is and easy fix. I remembered old days, win98, xp dealing with the most complicated staff in systems because just wanted do more and more and i remembered back there there was only one best way to actually control all your files on a pc and i just got myself a total commander.






      1. Install

      2. Run as an Administrator

      3. Find the file/folder

      4. Delete with your keyboard 'DEL'


      Done!






      share|improve this answer




























        0














        I can tell you one thing, I've sad on it for about 25 min researching internet for answers and not even solutions here helped, honestly i think people are trying to do it in the worst, most complicated way where there is and easy fix. I remembered old days, win98, xp dealing with the most complicated staff in systems because just wanted do more and more and i remembered back there there was only one best way to actually control all your files on a pc and i just got myself a total commander.






        1. Install

        2. Run as an Administrator

        3. Find the file/folder

        4. Delete with your keyboard 'DEL'


        Done!






        share|improve this answer


























          0












          0








          0







          I can tell you one thing, I've sad on it for about 25 min researching internet for answers and not even solutions here helped, honestly i think people are trying to do it in the worst, most complicated way where there is and easy fix. I remembered old days, win98, xp dealing with the most complicated staff in systems because just wanted do more and more and i remembered back there there was only one best way to actually control all your files on a pc and i just got myself a total commander.






          1. Install

          2. Run as an Administrator

          3. Find the file/folder

          4. Delete with your keyboard 'DEL'


          Done!






          share|improve this answer













          I can tell you one thing, I've sad on it for about 25 min researching internet for answers and not even solutions here helped, honestly i think people are trying to do it in the worst, most complicated way where there is and easy fix. I remembered old days, win98, xp dealing with the most complicated staff in systems because just wanted do more and more and i remembered back there there was only one best way to actually control all your files on a pc and i just got myself a total commander.






          1. Install

          2. Run as an Administrator

          3. Find the file/folder

          4. Delete with your keyboard 'DEL'


          Done!







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Dec 24 '16 at 20:31









          MartinMartin

          1




          1























              -2














              You can also try to setup mutiboot with Linux. You can mount your Windows disk and delete it, (as long as it's not encrypted).



              I'd recommend Linux Mint. Just download the .iso file and burn it to a disk or create a bootable flash drive.






              share|improve this answer






























                -2














                You can also try to setup mutiboot with Linux. You can mount your Windows disk and delete it, (as long as it's not encrypted).



                I'd recommend Linux Mint. Just download the .iso file and burn it to a disk or create a bootable flash drive.






                share|improve this answer




























                  -2












                  -2








                  -2







                  You can also try to setup mutiboot with Linux. You can mount your Windows disk and delete it, (as long as it's not encrypted).



                  I'd recommend Linux Mint. Just download the .iso file and burn it to a disk or create a bootable flash drive.






                  share|improve this answer















                  You can also try to setup mutiboot with Linux. You can mount your Windows disk and delete it, (as long as it's not encrypted).



                  I'd recommend Linux Mint. Just download the .iso file and burn it to a disk or create a bootable flash drive.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Sep 23 '13 at 12:51









                  matan129

                  1,86421323




                  1,86421323










                  answered Sep 23 '13 at 12:02









                  Wilhelm ErasmusWilhelm Erasmus

                  1417




                  1417

















                      protected by Community Jan 26 '18 at 9:22



                      Thank you for your interest in this question.
                      Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).



                      Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?



                      Popular posts from this blog

                      flock() on closed filehandle LOCK_FILE at /usr/bin/apt-mirror

                      Mangá

                      Eduardo VII do Reino Unido