How to delete corrupted file from external USB

Anonymous
2013-07-28T12:12:26+00:00

I had transferred certain files to external pen drive. However, I am unable to delete them because they are reported to be corrupt. Normal procedure for deleting does not work. The community experts may be able to guide me regarding the options to delete such files from pen drive. Thanks.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2017-10-06T14:57:09+00:00

Hi Sharayu,

Try deleting the files using DOS.

To start it type "CMD" into the Run box in the Start Menu.

From there at the command problem type in the following

e:\

If your pen drive appears with a different drive letter when you plug it into your computer then substitute e:\ for that drive letter in the above command

Then type:

dir

This will list all the files currently on your pen drive. If the file is corrupted you may notice that the file you want to delete has a different name in DOS then it does in Windows. So make sure you use the name of the files as it appears in DOS in the below command

To delete type in the following

del thefileiwanttodelete.txt

Hope this help

Martin

well i did exactly that, but when i do the last step i get a warning from cmd.exe that the file is corrupted and is unreadable. I don't really know what to do now, since it can't even be deleted with CMD. and by the way it has the same name in CMD as it has in windows explorer

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-07-28T18:31:20+00:00

    Hi Sharayu,

    Try deleting the files using DOS.

    To start it type "CMD" into the Run box in the Start Menu.

    From there at the command problem type in the following

    e:\

    If your pen drive appears with a different drive letter when you plug it into your computer then substitute e:\ for that drive letter in the above command

    Then type:

    dir

    This will list all the files currently on your pen drive. If the file is corrupted you may notice that the file you want to delete has a different name in DOS then it does in Windows. So make sure you use the name of the files as it appears in DOS in the below command

    To delete type in the following

    del thefileiwanttodelete.txt

    Hope this help

    Martin

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-07-28T12:20:38+00:00

    Format the pen drive?

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-03-13T10:45:27+00:00

    Feel silly for not thinking about that easy solution. Worked like a charm. Every interaction with this corrupt file lead to a complete freeze prior to deletion - all good now. Thanks Martin!

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-07-28T12:50:28+00:00

    Error Checking also applies to USB

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