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This error occurs when you try to access a specific file to delete, rename or open it. Logically, if you can find and view a file on your computer, you should also have clear access to it. However, this strange error occurs and there is nothing you can do with this file.
This sometimes happens with files created by third-party providers because the file extension is not correctly defined. There are also other unclear causes. Follow the different methods in this article to either delete the file successfully, because that’s what users want to do most.
Cause
The file or folder contains invalid characters. This can sometimes happen when you download files from another operating system.
A known reason is that the extension of files created by third-party applications may not be clearly defined, which may prevent the file explorer from tracking them. However, we cannot assume that this is the only cause. When switching to resolution, just keep an eye on the file that cannot be found by the File Explorer, but can be observed using Command Pro.
Deleting the file or folder from the command prompt
- Hold down the Shift key and right-click on the file or folder.
- From the context menu, select Copy as path.
- Open a command prompt window (cmd.exe).
- Type the following command to delete the item:
If it is a file:
del[drive:\path\filename]
If it’s a folder:
rd /s /q[Folder path].
Rename a folder or file
This is mainly caused by unsupported characters in file or folder names, believe it or not. Even if it seems a little awkward, Windows can’t access files it can’t read. Therefore, the presence of an unpleasant character or letter can create file path errors and prevent you from deleting the folder or file.
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Of course, you cannot use unsupported characters or letters to name files or folders, but this does not apply to downloaded files or files that you transfer from other systems.
Start in safe mode.
a. Press Windows + R on the keyboard.
b. In the Run window, type “MSCONFIG” and click on Ok.
c. Click on the Boot tab.
d. Under’Start options’, select the option’Secure start’.
e. Select the Safe Boot mode type by checking one of the options under the Safe Boot box:
Select’Minimal’.
f. Click OK, then restart your PC.
Create a temporary folder
The other thing you can try, which has had some success, is to create a new folder, then drag the odd files/folders into the new folder, then delete this newly created folder with the files it contains. For some reason, moving files from their current folder seems to make them erasable again.
CONCLUSION
This error was often encountered by users with files that were usually created by third-party software. This error essentially makes it impossible to work with these files when they are visible in Explorer. May the solutions discussed in this article help you to solve this problem.
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