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How to rename or delete a file with special characters in the name?

Anonymous
2014-09-04T15:43:21+00:00

I have two files on an external HDD that I need to delete.

They are both named similarly and one of them has a name of 2014-01-29 20:49:34.png

I'm in an Admin Command Prompt, and if I use the code del *.* I get the result: The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.

I try renaming the file to 204934.png using the Ren command, and guess what? The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.

I've tried using "2014-01-29 20:49:34.png" and 2014-01-29?20:49:34.png and still get the same result.

Is there any way of deleting these files without formatting the HDD?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-09-05T08:13:20+00:00

    Run check disk on the drive? ..    ChkDsk /f

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2014-09-04T17:43:32+00:00

    I have room - looks like that's what I'm going to have to do.....

    Thanks for your help!

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-09-04T17:16:15+00:00

    Assuming you have room, could you drag the good files onto your PC, format the drive and then drag them back? I know you didn't want to format, but...................

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-09-04T17:09:02+00:00

    Unfortunately, neither of those work.

    File Assassin just comes up with the same error, and Unlocker says that the file can't be deleted or renamed, would you like to perform the action on next reboot. And it doesn't.

    Any other suggestions?

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-09-04T15:49:39+00:00

    Have you tried Unlocker or File Assassin?

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