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
    2012-03-25T07:01:58+00:00

    Thank you Dave-O for your assistance. I was able to delete the file.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-02-14T05:32:21+00:00

    Thank you!

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-02-05T17:27:18+00:00

    Support groups.

    I have for the last few months from time to time delete a "shell" type DOCUMENT, not a file on my "H" WD backup drive.

    I have tried the notepad a few times with not luck.

    I tried to get to the folder via the comand prop, no luck.

    I have tried to cut, copy move sent, but it always comes back to "item not found...:

    Question:

    The item is under "system" security, I was wondering if I change secutiry to my Adm user (which I have been using) to then delete.

    Where in the **** does windows store header info. It must be in some file folder, like "recent" ect.

    Well,

    Thnaks for the many hints on how to correct the issue witnin window /7 Maybe window 8 will help solve this issue.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-01-30T04:08:51+00:00

    Well I ended up finding a solution.. I noticed a lot of people in different threads were mentioning something about this program called "Unlocker." I am a skeptic when it comes to downloading random programs on my computer, so I held off on this program until I tried just about everything. So if you have the same problem I did and none of these suggestions worked for you then I suggest downloading Unlocker. It an amazing program, take my word for it. I am keeping it on my computer in case I encounter this problem again!

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    4 people found this answer helpful.
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