windows 11, unable to delte folder (2 Viewers)

[smiler44]

I am a novice

I created a folder in windows 11, the path shows as c/users/sagent/documents/music but when I click the documents folder it is not there.
Opening the documents file explorer I can see the folder below a folder marked Microsoft office.

There does not seem to be any option, right click or otherwise to delete this empty unwanted folder. I used it to download one thing from youtube so it is not needed for any programs.

please can you tell me how to delete this folder?

thank you
smiler44

 

[The_Doc_Man]

The usual reasons for not being able to delete a particular file or folder stem from a few basic issues.

1. File permissions. In Explorer right-click on the folder, then Properties >> Security and see what permissions are on the folder. You need MODIFY permissions on the folder AND at least MODIFY (but more likely FULL CONTROL) on the /documents folder that is "above" it. You might have to click the EDIT button to change the permissions. Be sure that you select your own ID in the list of usernames that have permission before you use the EDIT key.

2. If the folder is in a transient state or is in use by a hidden program, the easiest way to release any transient locks is a quick restart/reboot. (NOT the same as putting it to sleep and waking it up.)

NOTE: Since you used it for a download from YouTube, that implies that the folder was opened by your browser. If you have not restarted your system since the download, the browser may still have the file open. (Browsers are pesky like that.) ALSO, if you allowed the browser to create the folder, there is no guarantee what permissions were used during its creation, see #1 above.

3. In Windows 11, open the \users\sagent\documents folder you named. (Not the \music folder!) Look in the icon toolbar that also includes SORT and VIEW. To the right of that is an ellipsis ( ... ) that you can click. You will see a drop-down that includes Properties and Options. In the Options box (three tabs) select View options. You will see Advanced and a scrollable list of options you can select. The Files and Folders >> Hidden Files and Folders segment includes "Show hidden files and folders" which you can select. That should make all hidden items visible.

4. Since this was used in a download, if you have an anti-virus checker that can do a fast scan, do so. See if anything comes up. If not, it is a case of "no harm, no foul."

 

[Isaac]

I am a novice

I created a folder in windows 11, the path shows as c/users/sagent/documents/music but when I click the documents folder it is not there.
Opening the documents file explorer I can see the folder below a folder marked Microsoft office.

There does not seem to be any option, right click or otherwise to delete this empty unwanted folder. I used it to download one thing from youtube so it is not needed for any programs.

please can you tell me how to delete this folder?

thank you
smiler44

What's in the folder? Including hidden files?
What did you "download from Youtube", this sounds sus, are you sure it wasn't malware.

Are you a victim of Windows 10 and 11's needlessly shortened right-click Menu? Try the 'more options' at the bottom?
Then use ExplorerPatcher to restore normal right click menu's

 

[smiler44]

The usual reasons for not being able to delete a particular file or folder stem from a few basic issues.

1. File permissions. In Explorer right-click on the folder, then Properties >> Security and see what permissions are on the folder. You need MODIFY permissions on the folder AND at least MODIFY (but more likely FULL CONTROL) on the /documents folder that is "above" it. You might have to click the EDIT button to change the permissions. Be sure that you select your own ID in the list of usernames that have permission before you use the EDIT key.

2. If the folder is in a transient state or is in use by a hidden program, the easiest way to release any transient locks is a quick restart/reboot. (NOT the same as putting it to sleep and waking it up.)

NOTE: Since you used it for a download from YouTube, that implies that the folder was opened by your browser. If you have not restarted your system since the download, the browser may still have the file open. (Browsers are pesky like that.) ALSO, if you allowed the browser to create the folder, there is no guarantee what permissions were used during its creation, see #1 above.

3. In Windows 11, open the \users\sagent\documents folder you named. (Not the \music folder!) Look in the icon toolbar that also includes SORT and VIEW. To the right of that is an ellipsis ( ... ) that you can click. You will see a drop-down that includes Properties and Options. In the Options box (three tabs) select View options. You will see Advanced and a scrollable list of options you can select. The Files and Folders >> Hidden Files and Folders segment includes "Show hidden files and folders" which you can select. That should make all hidden items visible.

4. Since this was used in a download, if you have an anti-virus checker that can do a fast scan, do so. See if anything comes up. If not, it is a case of "no harm, no foul."

Hi The_Doc_Man,
thank you for your post.

In order
1. I right clicked the file, choose security and got the message The requested security information is either unavailable or cant be displayed.

I tried it on the documents folder above, there are 3 things listed, system, Administrators and a gmail address.
All have the same settings which is allow for all things except special permissions which I cannot change

2. Tried a reboot, that did not work. I am sure I created the folder

3. Once I have followed these instructions, what do I then do?

4. I don't on day "1" want to start cloging the lap top up. Have you any other ideas I could try please

smiller44

 

[Gasman]

My old boss created a folder on hist desktop in win11 and could then not delete it. I tried even in DOS and still could not.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

You are on Win 11. Open File Explorer from the icon in the bottom tray. It should show you all of the devices that are file-oriented.

On the device that holds the file in question, right-click the file-folder icon. Click Properties. Then click Tools. Now click the button for Error Checking. If I recall correctly, you cannot immediately do error checking on the active system volume but you CAN reboot your system.

During the reboot, you will see your drive being tested. It is possible that this will do nothing for you, but if there is a damaged file, this will either remove it or legitimize it. If the former, the file will be gone. If the latter, you will be able to remove the file.

If Error Checking doesn't fix this problem, you need to run an anti-virus program's full scan. That kind of behavior, though not proof of infection, is common to the behavior of an infected system.

 

[Mike Krailo]

What happens if you create another folder and try and duplicate the issue?

 

[AccessBlaster]

is it possible to inadvertently include special or invisible characters in a folder name making it act up? Just spitballing here.

 

[Mike Krailo]

There is something the OP is not telling us. I can create a folder in Win11 and put stuff in it and turn around and deleted it without issue. So there is more to this.

 

[CJ_London]

the path shows as c/users/sagent/documents/music

I presume this is a typo?

 

[KitaYama]

There are numurous reasons that a file/folder may be in use or locked or not having necessary permissions that prevents it being deleted/renamed.

There are a lot of apps out there to delete files/folders within these types of problems. some of them open source.
These apps are able to create a schedule and delete the file before OS starts. Since the OS has not started yet, no lock is in place and they can easily delete a locked file/folder.

You can google "Delete lock file app" and choose one of them.
I've being using Lock Hunter for so many years, maybe from windows XP, and now in Windows 11. It has never failed deleting a locked file/folder.
It also can show you why the file/folder is locked.
One extra bonus to LockHunter is, it's able to unlock the file, instead of deleting it.

 

[smiler44]

There is something the OP is not telling us. I can create a folder in Win11 and put stuff in it and turn around and deleted it without issue. So there is more to this.

I have no idea what information if any I am not telling you. I am open to any ideas of what I may be forgetting or not thinking to mention.

smiler44

 

[smiler44]

What happens if you create another folder and try and duplicate the issue?

I have not tried and to be honest, it is not something I want to try as I could end up with another folder I cannot delete.
If that becomes th very last option I will reluctantly try, sorry

smiler44

 

[smiler44]

You are on Win 11. Open File Explorer from the icon in the bottom tray. It should show you all of the devices that are file-oriented.

On the device that holds the file in question, right-click the file-folder icon. Click Properties. Then click Tools. Now click the button for Error Checking. If I recall correctly, you cannot immediately do error checking on the active system volume but you CAN reboot your system.

During the reboot, you will see your drive being tested. It is possible that this will do nothing for you, but if there is a damaged file, this will either remove it or legitimize it. If the former, the file will be gone. If the latter, you will be able to remove the file.

If Error Checking doesn't fix this problem, you need to run an anti-virus program's full scan. That kind of behavior, though not proof of infection, is common to the behavior of an infected system.

Thank you, just tried the right click on the drive and then tools and error checking, nothing found.

A question, if I right click on the C drive in the file explorer, could changing any security settings help?
listed are Account Unknown, Authenticated Users, SYSTEM, Administrators, Users

Authenticated users have no access except it looks like special permissions that I cannot change
System and Administrators have full access except special permissions, again I cant change special permissions
Users do not have full control, modify, write or special permissions. As above I cant change special permissions

reboot and the folder is still there

The system has an anti virus already but it is a trial, I can download a full anti virus via my broadband service provider package

smiler44

 

[smiler44]

I presume this is a typo?

sorry yes it is, should be C:\Users\sagen\Documents it does not have an \ and the actual folder name when i right click and look at the properties.

smiler44

 

[Mike Krailo]

Highly recomend trying to duplicate the problem like i did. It does not happen on my computer. There is a thing called safe mode to limit runing programs to the bare minimum. Try creating another folder in safe mode. A new folder wont kill you i promiss.

 

[smiler44]

Highly recomend trying to duplicate the problem like i did. It does not happen on my computer. There is a thing called safe mode to limit runing programs to the bare minimum. Try creating another folder in safe mode. A new folder wont kill you i promiss.

How do I run in safe mode?

smiler44

 

[Gasman]

I have not tried and to be honest, it is not something I want to try as I could end up with another folder I cannot delete.
If that becomes th very last option I will reluctantly try, sorry

smiler44

Hardly a life breaker?

 

[Gasman]

How do I run in safe mode?

smiler44

Google Search

 

[Mike Krailo]

How do I run in safe mode?

smiler44

Hold Shift key when choosing to restart at the sign-in screen or via the restart option. You do know how to restart, right?

This causes the computer to display some options during the early boot process that doesn't normally appear. Press and releases the F8 key multiple times to force into safe mode. There are several options, pick the with networking option.