How do I delete "undeletable" files?

[Najoba]

When doing a backup there were a list of files that could not be included. Checking these files, I found that 1) they had no properties, 2) were undeletable, and 3) were unmovable.

One was 0806_erelfree3360_468x60.gif (was in a Hotmail e-mail folder), hp_120x60-hp-5-an.gif (was in a folder of an html history file I had saved), a Word document that I had at some point either written or copied, but does not load when clicked on, logo-no-border(1).gif in an Amazon.com folder on Carlos Nakai, 2nd_global_genF_top.gif, 2nd_global_genF_learningv.gif, 2nd_logo_genF_div.gif, etc. There are too many to list here, but most of them are .gif and button files.

Does anyone know how I can get these files deleted?

 

[mattjurado]

Where are the files located? Have you tried deleting your temporary internet files from Internet Options in Control Panel? That's where it sounds like they are at to me, but if not, post back their locations.

Matt J.

Please always take the time to backup any and all data before performing any actions suggested for ANY problem, regardless of how minor a change it might seem. Also test the backup to make sure it is intact.

 

[Najoba]

No, these are files I saved to my hard drive. For example, if you save an e-mail from Hotmail, the mail comes in two parts....an e-mail and a folder containing various Hotmail files. These are not on my main hard drive, but stored on an external hard drive with no OS on it.

 

[linney]

Check your Security Permissions for these files, make sure you have access to them.

Keep this in mind too.

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP (Q308421)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/4/21.asp

If all you want to do is delete these files, try using Safe Mode, or DelLater a freeware program.

DelLater

http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=dellater

Undeletable Folder
thread779-788352

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking.


Is the Volume Shadow Copy Service enabled?

Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes. If this service is stopped, shadow copies will be unavailable for backup and the backup may fail.
The Volume Shadow Copy creates a duplicate or "shadow" of the volume on the disk. This allows a backup to be performed while the system is still being used since the backup only backs up the duplicate and not the files that are in use.

 

[bcastner]

The issue might be that there are illegal characters in the file name.

If this is the issue, the freeware utility DelFXP will delete the files:

http://www.jrtwine.com/Products/DelFXPFiles/index.htm

 

[Najoba]

Thank you for this information. I will certainly give your suggestions a try. This is the first time I have ever encountered this problem in years of working with computers.

I would not have known about these files had I not been backing up the files on my external drive to DVDs. Once the back-ups finished, the software gave me a list of these files that could not be included in the backup. I could neither access them, delete them, or see any of their properties. While most of them were .gif files originating from other sources, one was a Word document I had created, and another was a .bmp photo of one of my children.

 

[zebratech]

Have you run any virus scan? Viruses like to attach themselves to *.gif,jpg, etc. and lately have been very defensive and hard to delete.

 

[Najoba]

I run one every week.

 

[1101001100110101]

Try deleting them in safe mode. If it says you dont have permission then take ownership.