Cannot delete file. Says "Item Not Found Could not find this item Verify this item's location and try again."

Anonymous
2010-01-01T14:35:26+00:00

Cannot delete file.  Says "Item Not Found Could not find this item Verify this item's location and try again."

I had this file sent to me from my friend - it's a word document I had on their computer.  So I tried using Disk Cleanup to delete temporary files, temp internet files, and downloaded program files.  Doesn't work.

When I check properties, there is no security tab, so I can't transfer ownership that way.

I also don't want to experiment using the Command Prompt way of transferring ownership since the file's name is several sentences long.  I can't rename it either, of course.

Windows 7, a week in and I've already got a stupid glitch which has already wasted an hour of my time.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2011-01-25T20:37:12+00:00

What i did was create a notepad file that was blank and saved it at the same location as the file that wont go away.  once saved.  I right click the new file and rename it to the exact name as the problem file.  Be sure to change the file extension (ex: .doc)

ex problem file: word.doc

new file: word.doc

as long as they match eachother exactly you should see the problem file disappear and once thats gone you can delete the new file created.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-07-09T02:20:03+00:00

    This worked great for me. Thank you!

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-06-18T08:54:34+00:00

    thanks janjan sison that delinv thing worked out real thanks to u buddy :-)

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-06-18T02:51:32+00:00

    I'm fond of downloading videos, and that's how I got this annoyingly persistent and undeletable file on my Desktop:

    Filename: Low Millions - Here She Comes.flv.

    File extension (from Properties): "."

    I'm not a techie person. I'm also a good Windows user. I don't install complicated utility programs that are not legitimately free or branded safe. I accept all the incoming Windows Updates and Defrag, Cleanup and Checkup my discs regularly. I tried almost everything a non-techie Windows user afraid of doing anything too complicated could try, as suggested by threads online, including:

    1. deleting from the keyboard
    2. deleting from cmd
    3. renaming from cmd
    4. disk check
    5. deleting from the keyboard and cmd in safe mode

    Nothing worked. I was also afraid of installing any of the suggested programs in fear of malicious software. But after almost two years of having the stupid file on my desktop, I relented. I found this page (bottom), and resorted to using the Special Programs for Deleting Files/Folders section at the very bottom. I downloaded the trial version of DelinvFile, installed it, ran the program and went through the motions. (The program even had the problem file highlighted.)

    Problem solved. The program is perfectly safe. I hope this helps everybody out!!

    http://filext.com/faq/delete_or_rename_stubborn_file.php

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    6 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2012-06-12T18:04:02+00:00

    This works on directories that are in this condition, as well.

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