can't delete: resource don't exist + no longer in location

Question

hi,

i have 2 files that i can't delete . i get message that file is no longer in the location and that the file doesn't exist.

path : c:\windows.old(1)\windows\WinSxS\catalogs
3d7883a131c5cd465a2dbc436dc28261e3a6475cf7ad67a38f62c4ab6e644faa.cat 0 bytes changed 13/10/2016 is the first one

path : c:\windows.old(1)\windows\servicing\packages
Package_75_for_KB3199209~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.1.0.cat 0 bytes changed 13/10/2016 is the second one

i meanwhile tried plenty of suggestions, nothing seems to work.
the main problem is that windows sees files that are simply not on the system anymore.

any idea on how to solve this problem?

thanks in advance

Frank Geerits

Answer 1

Hi there,

Try booting into Safe Mode if you can't delete the file and then try deleting it from the safe mode.

Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 10
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode

-Close any open programs and try deleting the file again.
-Press the Windows key + R and type cmd to open the Command Prompt.
-Type cd C:\path\to\file and press Enter. Replace C: with the actual drive letter and path\to\file with the address of the folder.
-Type .dir and press Enter to see a list of files. Make note of the exact file name and extension of the file you want to delete.
-Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
-Select the.Processes tab and select explorer.exe or "Windows Explorer". Click the End task button.
-Return to the Command Prompt and type .del filename.extension. This will attempt to delete the file that you specify. Make sure to include the full name and extension.

Here is a thread as well which discusses the same issue and you can try out some troubleshooting steps from this and see if that helps you to sort the Issue.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/cant-delete-file-could-not-find-this-file-please/354fa74a-1d11-4acc-9fba-4128ca971e6c

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