Comments on: Deleted Files Are Shown When Performing a Search in Windows Vista

By: Reet

Reet — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:41:04 +0000

I tried all ths, it doesnt work.. I had deleted the file myself.. so actually it doent exist. Any other help on ths plzz

By: Allen

Allen — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:58:44 +0000

I finally got rid of the nagging file “that did not exist…” The solution was so simple. I spent hours reindexing and a myriad of other suggestions. A recent post on Microsofts forum did the trick. I offer no guarantees for anyone else that this will work for you. Use as your own risk. (that’s to prevent angry people who mess up the instructions. Here is what he posted to me….
=============================
Can you delete the subdirectory?
If not, open a command prompt window, change directories to the subdirectory, and type this command:

del /p *

Answer Y when prompted to delete the file in question. DON’T ANSWER “Y” FOR ANYTHING ELSE!!!!
Steve Winograd Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience)

By: Reet

Reet — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:50:35 +0000

I deleted a file from my system, have done the reindexing but it still shows when searchin in advanced search, clicking search in non indexed location, system and hidden files. I dont want the file name to comeup while searching. how do I do that?

By: mio

mio — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 08:06:57 +0000

Have you tried disabling avg when trying to delete this file?

By: Allen

Allen — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 05:33:12 +0000

I ran chkdsk and it came up with no errors and the file that isn’t there, is still there. This morning I ran a full reindex of drive c: and that did get rid of a few sub folders that were giving the same message. I give up.

I needed that subdirectory for a lot of reasons and programs… so, I moved everything (except the file that isn’t there) to a new directory. Then renamed the directory with the bad file, then renamed the new folder back to the name it was originally. That put a “bandaid” on the problem and at least isolated the bad file and hopefully it will disappear as easily as it mysteriously as it appeared.

If you/anyone has other ideas, let me know how to get rid of the file. By the way, it has no extention and naturally I can’t rename it because Windows keeps telling me it isn’t there, but I can sure see it clearly for something that is not there.

Thanks for the help Ramesh

By: Ramesh Srinivasan

Ramesh Srinivasan — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 10:47:55 +0000

@Allen: Try running Chkdsk as they may be some file system errors.

By: Allen

Allen — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 08:31:56 +0000

I’ve had the same problem, running Vista home Premium. I’ve searched and done all the recommended fixes. I still have a file that shows on file manager, but can’t be deleted because “file does not exist” error.

I have a backup program, “SyncBack” that won’t do a backup in the sub directory with the file that isn’t there. It stops the backup because it can’t find the file that Vista says doesn’t exist. I have reindexed everything. (Yes, it did take a long time) and immediately shut down and rebooted. The file name is still in the same place. It still can’t be deleted. It has been several days and I can’t get rid of it. I even tried a “file wipe” program and it said the file didn’t exist. How do I get it out of my subdirectory so other programs that access that sub directory won’t keep coming up with that error.

Thanks for any help

Allen

Running Vista Home Premium, Gateway GT5428, 2gigs memory, dual core processor. 250gig HD with 180gig free space. No firewall, other than AVG Virus Software. Not on a network. Not using a router. Hope that’s enough data.