Can't delete a file

[SteveS_66]

I have a .tiff file located at "This PC > Local Disk(C:) > Users > Username > Documents" (Win 10) in a folder that I can't delete or even rename for that matter. I've scanned it with Malwarebytes & tried shredding it with Bitdefender File Shredder but nothing seems to work. I've scanned the drive for errors but all good.

I tried deleting the folder it's in (it's the only file in that folder), but same goes for it.

Everything else seems fine, just this one file that's haunting me 😬

Any suggestions on how to delete/remove?

Cheers

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello @SteveS_66

It might possibly be due to a disk issue. Please open an admin command prompt and type in the following.

CHKDSK  C:  /F

Then press the Y key to allow the disk check to run after restart and restart the computer and let the disk check run.

If that does not help then please run the following and post back the requested logs

 

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatible with your system.
You can check here if you're not sure if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press the Scan button.
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it also makes another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply as well.

Thank you

 

 

Edited April 22, 2020 by AdvancedSetup
updated information

[SteveS_66]

Thanks Root Admin,

Ok, I got to here (see image below)

Then got a bit confused. When you say "then press the Y key", do you mean type "Y" after the "F" then hit Enter, or am I missing something?

Just thought I'd check before doing making the situation worse 🙂 

 

[SteveS_66]

Just to clarify, should I type in

CHKDSK	C:	/FY

? 😕

[AdvancedSetup]

I'm sorry. Just press the ENTER key. This is what you would typically see.

 

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.18363.778]
(c) 2019 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\windows\system32>chkdsk c: /f
The type of the file system is NTFS.
Cannot lock current drive.

Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another
process.  Would you like to schedule this volume to be
checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N) y

This volume will be checked the next time the system restarts.

C:\windows\system32>

 

[SteveS_66]

I get the following message: 

Access Denied as you do not have sufficient privileges or
the disk may be locked by another process.
You have to invoke this utility running in elevated mode
and make sure the disk is unlocked.

How do I invoke in elevated mode & check disc is unlocked?

[SteveS_66]

I got it to work. I had to run Windows Powershell (admin).

Just about to restart now, stay tuned 🤞

[AdvancedSetup]

13 hours ago, AdvancedSetup said:

Please open an admin command prompt and type in the following.
 

Yep, you cannot use a normal user account and you don't have to use PowerShell either but if you got it working, great.

 

[SteveS_66]

Well, it did the scan, but I still couldn't delete it, until I opened up the folder properties & noticed the Attributes check box for "Read-only (Only applies to files in folder)" was blacked out.

So I changed the permissions & then re-tried deleting it and it worked - file deleted.

Thanks.

P.s. just realized I called you Root Admin instead of AdvancedSetup.....sorry about that.

I wouldn't mind being Root Admin myself....of course in down under, a "root" is something entirely different....lol.

[AdvancedSetup]

haha, okay, all good. As long as you achieved what you were trying to do.

Is there anything else we can do to assist you at this time?

 

[SteveS_66]

Thanks, but no thanks.

Amazing how deleting one file can make a man so happy 😉😁.

Thanks for the help.

[AdvancedSetup]

Sounds good. Take care and stay safe out there

As you have time please bookmark and review the following.

https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/258363-tips-to-help-protect-from-infection/