Deleted files keep reappearing over and over again

1. Check OneDrive Syncing

If you are using OneDrive, it may be automatically syncing files back to your desktop, especially if your desktop is part of the OneDrive folder sync.

Steps to verify and fix this:

1. Check OneDrive Settings:

Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the taskbar (lower-right corner).

Select Settings.

Go to the Sync and Backup tab, and make sure the Desktop folder isn't being synced.

If it is, Pause syncing temporarily, then try deleting the files again.

1. Remove Files from OneDrive:

If your desktop is synced with OneDrive, files you delete from the desktop might still exist in your OneDrive folder.

Open your OneDrive folder (via File Explorer), navigate to the Desktop folder, and delete the files there.

Check the OneDrive Recycle Bin to ensure the files are permanently removed.

1. Reset OneDrive: If the files still return, consider resetting OneDrive:

Press Win + R, type onedrive.exe /reset, and press Enter.

This will reset OneDrive, and you can then set up your syncing preferences again.

2. Disable Backup or Cloud Sync Software

If you have other backup or cloud storage software like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud, they might also be syncing and restoring the deleted files.

Pause or disable the sync feature temporarily in any such software.

Ensure the files are not being restored from these services.

3. Check for Corrupted User Profile

Sometimes, a corrupted user profile can cause files to reappear after being deleted.

To check this:

1. Create a new user account:

Go to Settings (Win + I), then navigate to Accounts > Family & other users.

Click Add account under "Other users" and follow the prompts to create a new local account.

1. Log into the new account, and see if the issue persists when deleting files on the desktop.

If the issue doesn’t occur in the new account, your original user profile may be corrupted. You can migrate your data to the new account.

4. Check Folder Redirection or Group Policies

If you’re using Folder Redirection or there are certain Group Policies applied (e.g., in an organizational environment), files might be restored based on those configurations.

Check for Folder Redirection: Open File Explorer and right-click on the Desktop folder, then select Properties and go to the Location tab. If the desktop is redirected to a network location, files could be reappearing from there.

You might want to disable folder redirection if it applies.

5. Check for Third-Party Software Interference

Some third-party software (e.g., PC cleaners, desktop organizers, or backup utilities) might restore files you’ve deleted.

Review all installed software to see if anything might be restoring these files, especially system utilities or cleanup software.

Try disabling or uninstalling any such software temporarily.

6. Clear the Recycle Bin

Sometimes, files may reappear if they’re stuck in the Recycle Bin. Try the following:

Empty the Recycle Bin after deleting the files.

Run Disk Cleanup (Win + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter) to remove any leftover temporary files or residual data.

7. Perform SFC and DISM Scans

If there are issues with system file integrity, it may affect file deletion behavior.

Run these commands in Command Prompt (Admin):

1. SFC (System File Checker):

sfc /scannow

1. DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management):

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

These tools will scan and repair any corrupted system files that might be causing the issue.

Hi, I am an Independent Advisor.

Let me help you with this issue.

I understand your files keeps on getting back after deleting them from your Desktop.

Do you have OneDrive installed and synced?

If you do, please try to quite OneDrive then delete the files again.

Thanks. I don't seem to have a OneDrive icon in the lower right taskbar, including the expanded menu section. Should I?