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Could not find this item error when deleting a file [FIX]

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Are you getting aCould not find this itemerror when trying to delete a folder or file? This Windows error has anItem Not Foundwindow that states:Could not find this item: This is no longer located in (path).Verify the item’s location and try again.

This can happen as a consequence of an invalid file, invalid folder title, orhigh RAM usage. These are a few ways you can fix the error in Windows and delete the required folder or file.

How to delete a file that says could not find this item

1. Use a dedicated tool

Sometimes, Windows has conflicting information about the same file. One says that a file was deleted and the location is empty, while another is showing an icon and the name of the file and asking for it to be deleted.

This is the exact moment when the operating system is thinkingHow could I delete something that isn’t there“?

And here we are, facing strange errors such as this. A quick solution would be to perform a registry scan and fix any issues found. We also recommend performing a custom scan as well and ticking as many items from Windows Explorer as possible.

For a quick and safe process, we recommend you use CCleaner. It is a lightweight PC cleaner utility that detects errors within your system and deletes all unnecessary files.

The software can scan your whole PC and also clean your browser. Let it run the scans and perform the fixes. Reboot your computer and see if the issue is fixed.

Either the file will be gone from the system already, or there won’t be an error when trying to delete it again.

CCleaner can also help you clean your browser, remove junk files, uninstall bloatware, and do many other optimization-oriented actions that will increase PC performance.

CCleaner

2. Close Taskbar Programs to Free up RAM

First, you should free up RAM before deleting the folder or file. Close all software open on your taskbar.

In addition, close background programs with the Task Manager by pressing the Win key + X hotkey and selectingTask Managerfrom the menu.

Select software listed under Background processes and press theirEnd taskbuttons.This Windows Reportarticle includes more tips for how you can free up RAM.

3. Move the file or folder into a new, temporary directory

Moving the subfolder or file to a new directory might also do the trick. Set up a new folder outside the directory the subfolder or file is in by pressing theNew folderbutton in File Explorer.

Then, drag and drop the subfolder or file into the new, temporary folder and try deleting it again.

4. Edit the folder/file title

Long folder or file titles with spaces and symbols can cause this error. so try changing the title to something shorter with no spaces or symbols.

You can rename folders and files with the Command Prompt as follows:

5. Delete the folder or file with Command Prompt

That’s how you can fix theCould not find this itemerror and delete the blocked file or folder.

Editing or deleting the folder or file with the Command Prompt will usually do the trick. Check out our article onhow you can fix Windows file delete issuesfor more information.

This issue is most of the time caused by minor problems within your system that are certainly not irreversible.

Registry issues for example may happen to any Windows user due to the fact that we frequently install and uninstall different applications.

Tell us which of the above-mentioned solutions you decided to apply and how your experience went. If you have any questions or recommendations, feel free to use the comment section below.

If you need to solve other problems with explorer, check out our guides from theFile Explorer sectionon the site.

A lot of problems have been solved and collected in various articles found in thefixing Windows 10 section.

Could not find this item error when deleting a file [FIX]#

How to delete a file that says could not find this item#

1. Use a dedicated tool#

CCleaner#

2. Close Taskbar Programs to Free up RAM#

3. Move the file or folder into a new, temporary directory#

4. Edit the folder/file title#

5. Delete the folder or file with Command Prompt#