Cannot Delete Any Files in Windows (246726)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
This article was previously published under Q246726

SYMPTOMS

When you try to delete a file in Windows, you may receive the following error message:
Cannot delete "filename", cannot find the specified path.

Make sure you typed the right path.
When this behavior occurs, you can still delete files in MS-DOS mode.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Recycle Bin has become corrupted, or if you have installed and then uninstalled Fix-It Utilities by Mijenix Corporation, causing the Recycle Bin to become corrupted.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Shutdown, and then click Restart to MS-DOS.
  2. Type CD\, and then press ENTER.
  3. Type CD RECYCLED, and then press ENTER.
  4. Type ATTRIB -r -s -h info2.*, and then press ENTER.
  5. Type DEL INFO2, and then press ENTER. NOTE: This deletes the damaged INFO2 file and creates a new file automatically.
  6. Windows 95: Restart your computer.

    When you see the Starting Windows 95 message, press F8, and then on the Startup menu, select Command Prompt Only.

    Windows 98: Restart your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key after your computer completes the Power On Self Test (POST), and then on the Startup menu, select Command Prompt Only.NOTE: You can start the computer with the Windows Startup disk if it is available.

  7. At the command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after each line:

    attrib -r -s -h c:\recycled
    deltree c:\recycled

    NOTE: If the problem occurs on a drive other than C, substitute the appropriate drive letter for drive C in the above commands.

  8. Restart the computer. This re-creates the Recycle Bin.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the Recycle Bin, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

136517 How the Recycle Bin Stores Files

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kb3rdparty kberrmsg kbprb KB246726
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