- Moving or copying files and folders from one place to another should be easy. Errors start to appear when there is a problem with the hard drive or the transfer is done over a network.
- If you get an error while deleting or copying a file, you need to clean up your system, check the system file, or use the command prompt to finish the job.
- If you need to solve other problems with the explorer, check out our guides in the File Explorer section of the site.
- Many issues have been resolved and compiled in various articles found in the Windows 10 repair section.
Are you getting an error This item could not be found when trying to delete a folder or file? This Windows error has an Item Not Found window that says: This item could not be found: This is no longer found in (path). Please check the location of the item and try again.
This can happen as a result of an invalid file, an invalid folder title, or high RAM usage. Here are some ways you can fix the error in Windows and delete the required folder or file.
Contents index
- How to delete a file that says this item could not be found
- Scan and fix with CCleaner
- CCleaner
- Close the taskbar programs to free up RAM
- Move the file or folder to a new temporary directory
How to delete a file that says this item could not be found
- Scan and fix with CCleaner
- Close the taskbar programs to free up RAM
- Move the file or folder to a new temporary directory
- Edit folder / file title
- Delete the folder or file with the command prompt
1. Scan and fix with CCleaner
Sometimes Windows has conflicting information stored about the same file. One says a file was deleted and the location is empty, while another shows an icon and the name of the file and requests that it be deleted.
This is the exact moment when the operating system is thinking “how could I remove something that is not there”?
And here we are, facing strange mistakes like this. A quick solution would be to run a registry scan and fix any problems found. We also recommend running a custom scan and marking as many Windows Explorer items as possible.
Download CCleaner and then run both scans. Restart your computer and things should work now.
Either the file will no longer be on the system or there will be no error trying to delete it again.
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2. Close the taskbar programs to free up RAM
First, you must free up RAM before deleting the folder or file. Close all open software on your taskbar.
Also, close background programs with Task Manager by pressing Win + X hotkey and selecting Task Manager from the menu.
Select the software listed under Background processes and press the End Task buttons . This Windows Report article includes more tips on how you can free up RAM.
3. Move the file or folder to a new temporary directory
Moving the subfolder or file to a new directory might also be helpful. Set up a new folder outside of the directory where the subfolder or file is located by pressing the New Folder button in File Explorer.
