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cannot remove folder : cannot find the specified file

I am trying to delete a folder which contained a backup of Outlook Express . After "deleting" the folder and contents, I stillhave a few folders inside th original folder. These folders show 0 bytes in properties, but I cannot delete these folders, files inside these folders. I get an error cannot remove folder "name" : cannot find the spcified file.
Also if I try to delete a folder inside the partially deleted folder, I get message Cannot delete file: Cannot read from the source file or disk. Theother foldrs and files on the USB stick work fine.

I have tried using DOS prompt, but no success. Looks like a USB device file structure corruption?

Any suggestions? I would prefer not to re-format the USB storage device if possible.

Don

Hopefully its as simple as just unplugging and plugging it back in???

See if this resolves it.

bcinnz

ASKER

Tried that on more than one computer, but no success.

Don

How about copy all the other files to your desktop/laptop then reformat usb and copy them back?

bcinnz

ASKER

I was trying to avoid this solution. I'd like to know if there is any other solution.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Don

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mohd_haq

Try deleting this file in safe mode. i could be that some program might be using it. try deleting in Dos prompt also. you can also use a free utility called unlocker. download it from here.
http://www.filehippo.com/download_unlocker/
install it and then try to delete the folder using unlocker.

bcinnz

ASKER

Thanks very much. I liked the option box in the program you suggested to delete file even if it found nothing locked. Solved the problem. I would still like to undertand why this happened.

Don

It is most likely from removing the usb without selecting "safely remove device" option