pesky file will not delete (file name too long)

[mraroid]

I have some files I can not remove from my windows 10 computer. They are pdf files and word files. When I try to delete them I get a pop up that says the file name is too long. I am unable to right click and choose "rename" to change the file name.

Other files work on my computer. Do I need a special utility to remove them?

Thanks

mraroid

 

[scout_03]

name of thoes files .

 

[mcnumpty23]

this usually does the trick for stubborn files

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/add-take-ownership-to-explorer-right-click-menu-in-vista/

 

[rgd1101]

try deleting them from a command prompt

 

[esco_sid]

you could just open cmd and try deleting it trough the cmd

 

[boosted1g]

Often times you need to move the file to the root of the C directory and then it will shave enough characters off of it so that you can rename it and delete it.

 

[mraroid]

name of thoes files .

They are deep in a folder called "2017 dead computer". Inside that folder is a folder called "docs-2-Sep 2015". Inside of that folder is a folder called "Universidad Tecnica Del Norte". Inside of that folder is a folder called Material De Clases" Inside of that folder are 4 more folders. And inside each of the four folders are two more folders. When they are all opened up, they each have a word doc or a pdf file.....

When I right click on the file, I get a drop down that says:

opean
edit
new
print
unlock
unlocker tool
destroy
open with...
send to

I installed two programs that are suppose to destroy the files. They did not work....

Thank you for trying to help me.

mraroid

 

[dudio]

Try Mcnumpty's suggestion.. Take Ownership works well, and is not just for Windows Vista (I have it on Windows 10). Another possibility is it's somehow being kept captive because of Windows Restore..try turning off Restore/Backup.

 

[mraroid]

Try Mcnumpty's suggestion.. Take Ownership works well, and is not just for Windows Vista (I have it on Windows 10). Another possibility is it's somehow being kept captive because of Windows Restore..try turning off Restore/Backup.

I tried the version at the end of the regestry edit link and that did not work. I will probably try hand editing the regestry next. Not sure about doing that. I will try turing off windows restore....

Thanks for the help.

mraroid

 

[mraroid]

I turned system restore off, then rebooted. Could not delete the files. I turned it back on and rebooted. Still nothing. I will try to had edit the regestry....

mraroid

 

[mraroid]

I am in the middle of hand editing my regestery. The first part went OK. I am now at the part where it asks me to look for:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell

When I open up "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT" I have no sub directory called "Directory". I do having a listing for ".dir" but it will not open up. I am running Windows 10 Home, with the very latest updates. Could my regestry be different that the exmple? I am 64 bit if that matters....

mraroid

 

[mraroid]

I tried using the CMD command. I see:

C:\users\jack

The folder I want to remove is on my desktop.
What do I type next?

Thanks

mraroid

 

[mcnumpty23]

type cd desktop if you want to change directory to the desktop

though could just tell it to delete the file with out changing directory

DEL /F /S /Q /A "Full Path of File with extension"

put the file name you want deleted in the quotation marks must include the file extension as well as the path to the file

for example

DEL /F /S /Q /A "C:\Users\jack\Desktop\records.txt"

would delete a text file named records on the desktop

the /F /S /Q /A are telling it to force it and for hidden files and quietly ie it will just do it with out asking confirmation

 

[mraroid]

That worked! Thank you so much.

Thanks to all that helped me.

mraroid

 

[dudio]

mraroid: At the end of the article for "Take Ownership", there is a link to download a zip that contains 2 reg hacks so you don't have to do it manually:
https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Take-Ownership-Menu-Hacks.zip

 

[dudio]

Was going to say to give mcnumpty credit for the correct answer but I see you already did. Glad it worked for you !

 

[mcnumpty23]

you are welcome

just remembered a little program i used years ago called unlocker if can still find it that might come in useful for future difficult files if it still works with newer

versions of windows

 

[mcnumpty23]

found unlocker on majorgeeks website

seems to run ok on windows 10

it adds a right click context to deal with stubborn files

probably 4 or 5 years since i last used this but it was pretty effective then

 

[mcnumpty23]

Was going to say to give mcnumpty credit for the correct answer but I see you already did. Glad it worked for you !

thank you

though i dont worry who gets best answer

as long as the problem gets solved is the main thing