how to delete a pdf document from my Win 10 desktop?

Kevin Savage 41 Reputation points
2021-06-25T02:33:57.157+00:00

I downloaded a pdf of a restaurant menu to my desktop today. The pdf has a ridiculously long name. See the length of the filename below... 109148-apznza1.pdf

APznzaafHW5jILt3lnNuDlrelZPvuH3EwWPEsu9QSU7CFMvvBfbrzaJKTipfiD3HzH_zrKLfQizJkJFi-YCBVJHuySjFDFV1pa8ypg0hTR9d5l-PDr2d0cr2B5yxUGfcMR9R3V0OThAPrWivOLTAqSRoR6szZULpeN0Tu1vGugDR9CCJ1VDP-hZXI183kQpa33MuG6E4NUdtLrLDjYQMlTaEqYCwB-MGbdwuKWTtOL9AfWI-dC_Nr93Zj03.pdf

I want to delete the file off my computer.

The file will not delete, it cannot be renamed, moved from the desktop, copied or pasted. It cannot be opened by any app except Google. I've tried Shift+delete, command prompt strings, Microsoft safe mode and CMD within safe mode.

Windows File explorer can see the file but, not open it. The file name displays in a Windows directory search but. will not open. Windows Notebook can see the file code.

Is there some tech guru with a nuclear option to delete this file?

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Accepted answer
  1. Anonymous
    2021-06-25T03:43:05.97+00:00

    Hi,

    Please open PowerShell from the Start menu and try remove-item with \\?\ prepended to the file path. You can replace "C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop" with your own desktop path.

    Remove-Item '\\?\C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\APznzaafHW5jILt3lnNuDlrelZPvuH3EwWPEsu9QSU7CFMvvBfbrzaJKTipfiD3HzH_zrKLfQizJkJFi-YCBVJHuySjFDFV1pa8ypg0hTR9d5l-PDr2d0cr2B5yxUGfcMR9R3V0OThAPrWivOLTAqSRoR6szZULpeN0Tu1vGugDR9CCJ1VDP-hZXI183kQpa33MuG6E4NUdtLrLDjYQMlTaEqYCwB-MGbdwuKWTtOL9AfWI-dC_Nr93Zj03.pdf'  
    

    109184-image.png

    Best Regards,
    Ian Xue

    ============================================

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    8 people found this answer helpful.

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  1. Kevin Savage 41 Reputation points
    2021-06-25T14:30:08.767+00:00

    Wow, Ian...

    your suggestion worked perfectly!
    If you were here I'd shake your hand and buy you lunch and a beer πŸ˜ƒ,

    To all who read this, the 'cannot delete pdf file' issue has been around for years. The
    solution offered by Ian truly is the answer. Follow his instructions and, poof!.. the file is gone.

    πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘


  2. lgh000 η½— 0 Reputation points
    2023-07-16T10:20:31.27+00:00

    Thank you so much, this trick has solved my puzzle for half a month! You are awesome.

    0 comments No comments

  3. Amanda Moraes do Vale Batista 0 Reputation points
    2023-08-07T21:16:06.1966667+00:00

    Thank you so much, this was the only solution that actually worked!

    0 comments No comments

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