Cannot Delete PDF from Desktop

Question

I have tried the following:

-Restarting my computer

-Turning off the preview pane

-Pressing shift+delete

-Punching my screen

-Snapping my fingers

-Wiggling my nose

-Putting tape on the screen to cover the file

-Yelling at my computer

-Closing my eyes

-Calling my IT guy an idiot

And I still cannot delete this freaking pdf file off of my desktop!

What the hell?

Chris

Answer 1

Hi Frustrating2me,

I am Vijay, an Independent Advisor. I am here to work with you on this problem.

Try to delete the file in Safe mode

How to boot in safe mode - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12376/...

Do let me know if you require any further help on this. Will be glad to help you.

Answer 2

Hi Frustrating2me

My name is Fernando. I am an Independent Advisor. I am here to guide you with your question about deleting the file.

Vijay's recommendation will probably work. What error or message are you getting?

Respectfully,

Fernando Y.

Answer 3

Okay..... so that's one more comment (*"Try to delete file in safe mode")*I can add to my list that didn't work!!!

No error message pops up when I click delete! I have a pdf file on my desktop that cannot be deleted, or dragged to the recycle bin.

I can move it all around my desktop and open it and close it and look at it and swear at it and curse it and yell at it but it just wont go away!

Chris

Answer 4

Have you tried deleting using a command prompt?

If not try deleting it from the command prompt. Make sure you execute in administrator mode. If you need assistance running command prompt in admin mode, let me know.

From the attached pic, substitute administrator to the user name and subsitute the stubbronfile.pdf to the name of the file you wish to delete.

If that doesn't work, try a combo. Do the same in command prompt but in safe mode.

Answer 5

Right click on that file > Properties > Copy the location

Let's say that this is c:\sample\mydoc

Type cmd in Windows Start Search box

Right click on cmd > Run As Administrator

In cmd box type cd and press space bar to give one space and right click to paste the folder path > Enter

Hence you needed to give cd c:\sample

Now, your directory will be changed to your folder

You can put following command

del filename.extension

Hence, if your file name was test123.docx, you need to write

del test123.docx

Note if there is a space in file name, you will have to enclose in double quotes

Hence

del "my file123.docx"