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Help deleting certain files...

(11 posts)

Started 1 year ago by rrq3200
Latest reply from Lighthouse
Topic Viewed 604 times

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rrq3200

Member

Posts: 8

Hola!!

I'm trying to delete certain files but the following error message appears: "The file name you specified is not valid or too long". Those files have strange characters and symbols. I tried rename them, copy them to another folder, cut and paste, I even applied "White-out" to the files thru my monitor (ha ha), but no dice.

I have Windows Vista.

Any suggestions and recommendations?

Thanks for your help.

Posted 1 year ago #

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Lighthouse

Now known as LH

Posts: 5573

I don't know if it will work in this instance, but try
http://www.freecommander.com/

Posted 1 year ago #

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whs

Member

Posts: 10359

Do you mean that you get this message when you do a right click on the file and hit DELETE?

Posted 1 year ago #

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Justin

Author

Posts: 3792

This problem can happen because there are some files that can be created by programs with names that Windows Explorer can't handle.
You can try deleting the file with Command Prompt.
You just type "DEL file" (without quotes) after you go to the directory it's in to remove it.
If that fails you can try the syntax at http://support.microsoft.com/?id=315226

Posted 1 year ago #

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Lighthouse

Now known as LH

Posts: 5573

Understand what your saying jd2066, but there is no way Windows can delete files with illegal characters in their name (I used to have to use a raw disk editor to delete or create such files)
FreeCommander has an uncanny Knack of being able to do so

Posted 1 year ago #

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rrq3200

Member

Posts: 8

Hmmm... Thanks for the recommendations, but both options are not functional. ANy more ideas?

Posted 1 year ago #

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Lighthouse

Now known as LH

Posts: 5573

Did you fireup FreeCommander as Administrator and try to rename the file first, before trying to delete it?

Posted 1 year ago #

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rrq3200

Member

Posts: 8

Ok. I tried to run FC as Admin and no results. The message in FC is: "Could not find this item" in the location where the strange file is located. But is there!

Any more ideas?

Posted 1 year ago #

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