Topic: Folder Delete

[GillE]

There's an empty folder on my C drive that I'd like to delete.  Every time I try to do so, I get the error message, "Cannot delete file: Cannot read from the source file or disk".

How do I delete the folder?

Gill

[Simon]

You might want to wait for comfirmation of this, Gill, but I found this on another forum, in answer to a similar question to yours:-

lets say yo wanna delete "FileName" folder

1) Start>Run>cmd (dos)
2) Go to where your file or folder is "C:/....user/default/desktop" (or whatever)
3) type dir/x to see the short name usually ends with~1
4) type "RMDIR/S FileName~1"
5) press Y for yes
6) Done!!

-Good Luck

*Warning "RMDIR/S" removes the directory and everything in it!*
*Do this at your own risk*

[joudi]

Gill,

Some folders are not so comlicated to delete. You just need to reboot your computer, and try to delete it after that.    

Have you tried that yet?

[Simon]

...or even just try in safe mode.

[Clive]

You could always rename it and fill it up with something else.  

[chorleydave]

Hi, Gill. As Simon suggests, I too would try deleting it in safe mode.

I must admit, I have never come across this particular message before.  The only thing I can think of is that it might contain some "hidden" files that are protected.  Are your settings in Folder Options > View set to show all files?  However, I am only hazarding a guess here and if you are confident it is really empty then Safe Mode should do the trick.

[Lona]

Gill, you may think the folder is empty but could have hidden files in it.

Have you clicked view hidden files as there could well be files there that can't be deleted safely.