Currently, I'm having problem deleting an old Folder. Previously, I used its parent as a shared folder, but one day when I tried to clear that folder there is one folder that has duplicate. The problem is one of them (the old one) can't be deleted even after I deleted all files/folders in that folder, I can't remove/rename that folder (could not find this item) not even with cmd as Administrator. I've tried to defrag my Windows Sever 2012 but the problem still persists. How to fix this problem?

Thanks in advance.

1) go to folder security option, check for your username, if it is not there then add, then try to delete.

OR

2) take ownership of folder, then try,

3) check what permission you have on system. 

1) go to folder security option, check for your username, if it is not there then add, then try to delete.

OR

2) take ownership of folder, then try,

3) check what permission you have on system.

Hi ,

can you use Icacls to verify the status of the folder - I am particularly interested in the display message of the icacls

are you able to perform any other folder related stuff

eg: create subfolder within this folder

      or move this folder to different location and try deleting it ?

If the above doesn't work , we need to verify for the sticky hard lock using procmon and delete the dependent GUID.

Hi ,

can you use Icacls to verify the status of the folder - I am particularly interested in the display message of the icacls

are you able to perform any other folder related stuff

eg: create subfolder within this folder

      or move this folder to different location and try deleting it ?

If the above doesn't work , we need to verify for the sticky hard lock using procmon and delete the dependent GUID.

I have met this problem several times on Windows OS. I was run scandisk utility then error folders will be deleted automaticaly. Try it! hope this help

Refer below link,  that may help you,

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winservergen/thread/92da4ca9-fc6d-4de7-bcf8-288100129e22

Refer below link,  that may help you,

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winservergen/thread/92da4ca9-fc6d-4de7-bcf8-288100129e

I had this same problem using Server 2012 Std. I tried various options of taking ownership of the parent folder because the Security properties of the folder I was trying to delete were blank, using CMD and Dir /x etc. I even tried sharing the parent folder and then using Server 2008 R2. None of them worked. When I tried Dir /x Server 2012 doesn't show the 8 character filename with the ~1. I tried typing it in myself, but that didn't work either. I then found that there was a space at the end of the folder name. I then tried all the CMD options again using a space, still no luck. Then I finally stumbled upon this solution:

Open CMD and then type:

rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "

example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.

This worked for me

• Proposed as answer by Rayza73 Friday, August 02, 2013 7:36 AM
• Marked as answer by jazzyhacker Wednesday, July 22, 2015 10:39 AM

I had this same problem using Server 2012 Std. I tried various options of taking ownership of the parent folder because the Security properties of the folder I was trying to delete were blank, using CMD and Dir /x etc. I even tried sharing the parent folder and then using Server 2008 R2. None of them worked. When I tried Dir /x Server 2012 doesn't show the 8 character filename with the ~1. I tried typing it in myself, but that didn't work either. I then found that there was a space at the end of the folder name. I then tried all the CMD options again using a space, still no luck. Then I finally stumbled upon this solution:

Open CMD and then type:

rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "

example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.

This worked for me

• Proposed as answer by Rayza73 Friday, August 02, 2013 7:36 AM

I had this same problem using Server 2012 Std. I tried various options of taking ownership of the parent folder because the Security properties of the folder I was trying to delete were blank, using CMD and Dir /x etc. I even tried sharing the parent folder and then using Server 2008 R2. None of them worked. When I tried Dir /x Server 2012 doesn't show the 8 character filename with the ~1. I tried typing it in myself, but that didn't work either. I then found that there was a space at the end of the folder name. I then tried all the CMD options again using a space, still no luck. Then I finally stumbled upon this solution:

Open CMD and then type:

rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "

example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.

This worked for me

I've had a similar problem as detailed above; a power shell script that I wrote incorrectly tested for the existence of a directory and created multiple instances of the same directory.

I can confirm that the post from Rayza73 works like a charm!

@Rayza73:  First up thanks for the information.  Would it be possible for you to describe how the command is able to find and delete the directory?

Many thanks

Shaun

Fantastic! Had same problem, but this solution worked (once I typed the pathname correctly!)

Thanks!

rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 "

This is the only way it works with me, also I tried just type the folder name and it doesn't delete the file, you have to insert the whole path in the command.

• Edited by lilswiftzz Thursday, February 06, 2014 9:50 AM

• Edited by lilswiftzz Thursday, February 06, 2014 9:50 AM

Open CMD and then type:

rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "

Amazing what one finds when one knows what to look for.  Ran in to this problem just this week.  Was causing warnings for incomplete backups.  Followed Rayza73's guidance, and sure enough....a space at the end of the folder name.  Ran the command and presto - no more folder.

Sweet find Rayza, and thanks for posting.

• Proposed as answer by MrTech86 Monday, September 15, 2014 4:00 AM

Open CMD and then type:

rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "

Amazing what one finds when one knows what to look for.  Ran in to this problem just this week.  Was causing warnings for incomplete backups.  Followed Rayza73's guidance, and sure enough....a space at the end of the folder name.  Ran the command and presto - no more folder.

Sweet find Rayza, and thanks for posting.

• Proposed as answer by MrTech86 Monday, September 15, 2014 4:00 AM

Got this problem after I joined a domain and had to get rid of an old User folder.  I tried every work around I know but did not work.  Rayza73 solution worked.  Thanks.

Use this tool and delete 

http://fs32.filehippo.com/1431/0ca49414cc7f438aaaf64c12dbb38dc0/Unlocker1.9.2.exe

Thank you so very much for this answer.  Not being able to delete the folder was driving me nuts and I couldn't figure it out.

Thanks again!

• Proposed as answer by rollerboogie Monday, July 28, 2014 5:37 PM
• Unproposed as answer by rollerboogie Monday, July 28, 2014 5:37 PM

Thank you so very much for this answer.  Not being able to delete the folder was driving me nuts and I couldn't figure it out.

Thanks again!

• Proposed as answer by rollerboogie Monday, July 28, 2014 5:37 PM
• Unproposed as answer by rollerboogie Monday, July 28, 2014 5:37 PM

Hi,

This is Amazing, works like a charm.

It would be great if you could explain how this works.!!!!

Thank you so much.

Thanks to Rayza73!

I was searching for the solution.....

it worked !

I been working with computers a very long time and I had never use this \\?\ combination,  it works 

Thanks you

Thanks a lot, Rayza73,

I struggled for many months with this error. You got it!

Regards,

kcy

Open CMD and then type:

rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "

example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.

I had the same problem and your solution just worked. Thank you!

Open CMD and then type:

rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "

example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.

This worked for me

I had this same problem using Server 2012 Std. I tried various options of taking ownership of the parent folder because the Security properties of the folder I was trying to delete were blank, using CMD and Dir /x etc. I even tried sharing the parent folder and then using Server 2008 R2. None of them worked. When I tried Dir /x Server 2012 doesn't show the 8 character filename with the ~1. I tried typing it in myself, but that didn't work either. I then found that there was a space at the end of the folder name. I then tried all the CMD options again using a space, still no luck. Then I finally stumbled upon this solution:

Open CMD and then type:

rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "

example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.

This worked for me

Rayza73's solution works like a charm indeed but has it's limits.

This will not work if you try to delete the parent folder to multiple bad files.

If there are multiple bad files in the same folder, you will have to apply this method repeatedly to each bad file before you can delete the parent folder.

I had to do this to 3 bad files left from software I removed.

(Exactly what I had used...) [sic] rd /s "\\?\C:\Users\RmR\Desktop\Carach Angren - Lammendam"

Here is what I started with, having not worked was...rd /s "\\?\C:\Users\RmR\Desktop\Carach Angren - Lammendam "

Conclusion: every little space counts -- additively, use command prompt, and not 'Run' CMD prompter; just a head's up for those who are unfamiliar with BIOS related conceptions.

       Much like a former commentator, I've been working with computers for years -- never have I used this solution, never having considered such a thing -- but it works perfectly, because it overrides legitimate system and illicit-systemic commands and/or firmware -- in which could be derived of virus's, ad-ware and computer overheating (thermal shutdown.)  

I used this in college once before, to delete an unnecessary folder on the desktop (to make room for my beautiful wallpaper), however, I hadn't remembered what I did -- so I found this page; much to my dismay, I didn't think I would find anything of beneficence on a Microsoft website...sure enough, I was wrong.  Thank you (contributors and problem-solvers), hopefully one day I can repay this debt with l33t ha3xors ski11s and advice.

Wishing you and yours the best...

Sincerely, J - A. Eder;

• Edited by Darkly Origins Saturday, April 11, 2015 9:36 PM ?
• Proposed as answer by Astral Tim Monday, April 13, 2015 1:17 AM

Thanks for this!  It worked great!  I had a folder that simply wouldn't delete.  I would try to delete it via the traditional delete process and received a message indicating it couldn't be found. I tried "BleachBit" and received an error.  I then applied your fix in DOS as Administrator:

I had this same problem using Server 2012 Std. I tried various options of taking ownership of the parent folder because the Security properties of the folder I was trying to delete were blank, using CMD and Dir /x etc. I even tried sharing the parent folder and then using Server 2008 R2. None of them worked. When I tried Dir /x Server 2012 doesn't show the 8 character filename with the ~1. I tried typing it in myself, but that didn't work either. I then found that there was a space at the end of the folder name. I then tried all the CMD options again using a space, still no luck. Then I finally stumbled upon this solution:

Open CMD and then type:

rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "

example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.

This worked for me

Tried this but didn't work for me. When I try to delete the bad folder, I get an error "The system could not find the file specified." And it lists a .nfo file inside this folder. If I try the command on the file itself, I get the same error. This is in WHS2011. Can anyone help me?

• Edited by Someboody Thursday, May 28, 2015 3:57 AM
• Proposed as answer by Blackberries Thursday, June 04, 2015 8:50 AM
• Unproposed as answer by Blackberries Thursday, June 04, 2015 8:51 AM

Please try the following:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/79699-undeletable-file-delete.html

It worked for the same problem in my computer running on Win 7.

Open CMD and then type:

rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder\path "

example: rd /s "\\?\D:\Sharedata\folder1\folder2 " - note the space after folder2 as per the space in the folder name. Obviously D: is the drive that has the folder on it.

This worked for me

Your right, thanks mate. Unlocker worked perfect and easier than using command lines. fyi to all when using Unlocker, click drop down menu and select delete

Thank you Naresh!!!

• Edited by six_tymes 2 hours 2 minutes ago