[bountyhunter]

I can't delete a folder on my desktop.

I stumbled on one of those cool tutorials where you can make an invisible folder without a name using alt 0160 and was amazed then got bored and changed it back. however, i could only change the picture of the icon and not the name. now when i try to drag and drop the folder into recycling bin, absolutely nothing happens. in addition, when i try to rename the folder, after i click ok, nothing happens.

when i right clicked and clicked on properties, i notice that under attributes, the read-only box is ticked. i untick the box and click apply and then ok. when i check the properties again, the box is still ticked...

I don't know what to do!

I tried booting into safe mode to see if i can drag and drop into recycling bin and it didnt work. same thing with trying to rename the folder in safe mode and it still did not work.

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make sure your user account is administrator and you have full control of the folder
right click on the folder go to properties, go to security make sure full control is checked

[aroweyen]

make sure your user account is administrator and you have full control of the folder
right click on the folder go to properties, go to security make sure full control is checked

[robert.wiechert]

Another thing you can try is to download and install Unlocker. Once the program is installed, you'll have the option to unlock that file so you can delete it. Here is the URL for Unlocker
http://www.filehippo...nload_unlocker/

[bountyhunter]

make sure your user account is administrator and you have full control of the folder
right click on the folder go to properties, go to security make sure full control is checked

I did and it still won't right click > delete or be deleted when i drag and drop

Another thing you can try is to download and install Unlocker. Once the program is installed, you'll have the option to unlock that file so you can delete it. Here is the URL for Unlocker
http://www.filehippo...nload_unlocker/

I've just tried that. after i installed it, i right clicked on the folder and there is no "unlock" option

What's wrong with the folder!!!!


p.s. it actually doesn't say "unlock" for any of the icons i right click on my desktop...?

Edited by bountyhunter, 08 September 2009 - 12:11 AM.

[Broni]

it actually doesn't say "unlock" for any of the icons i right click on my desktop...?

Did you restart computer?

[bountyhunter]

Did you restart computer?

yep. it's very frustrating!!

[robert.wiechert]

So when you right click on any icons there is nothing in the options menu to select Unlocker with a little magic wand next to it?

[bountyhunter]

So when you right click on any icons there is nothing in the options menu to select Unlocker with a little magic wand next to it?

That is correct

[Dwight]

Hi, Try system restore to a time before the invisible folder.


Dwight

[bountyhunter]

Hi, Try system restore to a time before the invisible folder.


Dwight

I created the folder quite some time ago. Won't system restoring delete many of my files and folders that haven't been there as well?

[robert.wiechert]

System restore will restore the system back to the way it was on the specified date that you select. So if you had put files on the system after the date, those files will not be there after the restore.

[alanho]

Find the folder location using windows explorer then delete it using the command prompt window.

I am now a bit rusty with using command prompts but think it would be as follows (any experts here - please put me right)

Go to Start - run
type "cmd" and press OK
Now you must go to the drive where the folder resides - for example C:
Type C: <enter>
Now go to the folder where the problem folder resides - say C:\Users\yourname\desktop
Type cd users <enter>
Type cd yourname <enter>
Type cd desktop <enter>

We now need to find the 8.3 names of the files and folders stored in that folder
Type dir /x <enter>
A directory listing will appear containing the 8.3 names - note the one you need to delete (say problm~1)
Type rd problm~1 <enter> (but use your folder's name)
The folder will be deleted
If it is a file rather than folder
Type del instead of rd

[BillSnapWire]

System restore will not remove any files or folders, it says so on the System Restore main screen.

[BillSnapWire]

Right click and the folder and select properties then go to security. Look for your user name and click on it and make sure you have full control, if you do not then edit it and check the box that says full control. If that method fails then try the CACLS or ICACLS command on cmd. If you cannot work out how to use that command then type HELP ICACLS or HELP CACLS in the command line, it will explain how to use the command.

If CACLS is deprecated then use ICACLS.

[Arrr]

I had the same problem with a folder. I solved it simply by booting in safe mode and successfully deleted the folder.