Folder doesn't disappear after deleted in File Explorer - advanced problem

Question

Hey there,

So I created a folder at some point and now it won't disappear after (I thought) I deleted it. It is behaving very strangely. The folder is on a partitioned drive from my C: drive, using Windows 11.

When I click on FOLDER1 I am able to open it and create FOLDER2 inside of FOLDER1. I can then open FOLDER2 and create new files in it. But I cannot create new files in FOLDER1... I can only create new folders.
When I right click on FOLDER1 it doesn't show any properties (file size is 0, details are blank, and I cannot change any attributes and APPLY/SAVE, the message appears "the system cannot find the file specified")
This happens even with files in FOLDER2. FOLDER2 properties shows files, file size, and details, but FOLDER1 continues to show
When I try to delete the folder it says "cannot find this item, verify the information and try again"
When I create another folder with the exact same name I am able to do so. Then I can delete that folder, but not this folder.

I have done many of the recommended troubleshooting steps...
I have refreshed but to no avail
I have gone into Folder View settings, reset to defaults, reboot, then shut down and restart the computer, but to no avail
I have run every option on the Windows File and Folder Diagnose Tool, but to no avail
I have pulled up a command prompt in administrator mode and found the folder... I attempted to CD the folder and it says "the system cannot find the path specified". I tried to DEL the folder and it says "could not find (the folder)". So I am not able to access FOLDER2 through the command prompt.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Hello DRedwick,

It is possible that some program is still taking hold some control over that folder.

I suggest you to boot the system in safe mode and perform clean boot. Clean boot process will help you determine which third party program/app that is causing this issue. It could be some other application or programs, which runs on the computer at the background, leading to this issue. Please visit the below link on how to perform Clean boot.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135

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