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Can't delete folder ending with space

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12 replies

by tfccskami

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I have a folder on my Windows XP prof. desktop called "Rev. Wilson " [without the quotes]. When I try to delete it, I get "Error Deleting File or Folder" "Cannot delete file: Cannot read from the source file or disk." with an OK button. Nothing I've tried has been able to remove this folder. Can anyone help?

12 replies

by jschein

sure... browse to it from the cmd prompt... if there.. delete it there... if not doable there, do it in safe mode

by tfccskami

Not so easy, I'm afraid. I've tried cmd prompt, safe mode, cmd prompt in safe mode, mapping my c: drive from another computer, it's still there.
I type dir rev*
the folder is listed.
I type del rev*
no error, no nothing, the prompt comes back.
I type dir rev*, there the folder still is.

by otl

Don't know if Microsoft changed the command or not with XP, however you can not delete a folder with the DEL command.

TRY;

ATTRIB -R -E -S REV*.*
RMDIR REV*.*

Will either delete it or give you an error message saying the folder is not empty.

by otl

Sorry did not read that it is a file.

From CMD prompt;

chkdsk/r
reboot
Let PC run the chkdsk program (May take over 45 minutes or more) during boot.
In XP check the properties of the file and uncheck read only, hidden, or system (if any are checked).
Should be able to delete it in XP.

by tfccskami

It is a folder, not a file. Tried the rmdir suggestion.
Typed rmdir rev*.*
or rmdir rev*
I get this response "The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect." This command apparently doesn't take wildcards.
I tried typing out the whole name: rmdir "Rev. Wilson "
but I get "The system cannot find the file specified"
I tried leaving off the space at the end, and get can't find the file, and putting ? or * in the last spot and get syntax is incorrect.
I did check the attributes, it has none listed.

by lrund

The user of this file/folder has probably inserted a non printable character in the name to keep prying eyes out of it. In the command prompt; enter a 'dir Rev*.* > filelist.txt and then view the filelist.txt to see the non displayable character. Then you can cut and paste the filename from notepad to your command to delete the file.

TBN

by tfccskami

This didn't work either, I get the same response, "the system cannot find the file specified."
The folder was created when I unzipped a file for a coworker. It's possible it was originally created on a Mac.

by otl

Just created and deleted same type of folder;

In the cmd prompt;

rmdir rev~1.wil

This worked fine on my system.

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