Fix: Could Not Find This Item While Deleting Files in Windows 10

By Jennifer | Last Updated January 03, 2024

In Windows 10, you may have encountered strange error while move, rename, or delete files and folders. For example, the system backup files or un-downloaded BT files. The full message reads:

Could not find this item. This is no longer located in [Path]. Verify the item's location and try again.

could not find this item windows 10

Why does such error happen? It may be caused by inappropriate defined of file extension. You can figure it out by referring the solutions below to remove the unwanted items.

Text Document
Command Prompt
WinRAR

Solution 1: Fix "Could Not Find This Item" Error by Text Document

When Windows 10 prompt "could not find this item" to you, try the batch file to remove such a stubborn file or folder.

Step 1: Right-click on the desktop, select New > Text Document.

Step 2: Copy and paste the following code lines into the Text Document.

DEL F A Q %1

RD S Q %1

code lines

Step 3: Click on File > Save As from the Menu bar.

save as

Step 4: Next to the Save as type, select All Files. Then save it to delete.bat file.

save as bat file

Step 5: Drag the target folder onto this file to delete it. Thus you won't see the "could not find this item" error anymore.

Solution 2: Fix "Could Not Find This Item" Error via Command Prompt

The Command Prompt can help you remove the problematical file easily.

Step 1: Search the Command Prompt in the Menu Bar and Run as Administrator. Alternatively, hit Windows + X key and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the list. For further information, you can refer to How to Run Command Prompt As Administrator in Windows 10.

Step 2: Whether deleting files or folders, we must use the "cd path" command to navigate to a specific location.

cd path

Tips: If you don't know the correct format of the path, you can right-click on the file or folder and select Properties. Under the General tab, copy the path and paste into the Command Prompt.

find out correct location

Step 3: Enter the "dir" command to display all the files in the current path. Or type "dir /x" to view the folder list instead.

dir dirx

Step 4: To delete a file, type del "filename" and press Enter on the keyboard afterward. Once you want to delete a folder instead, input rmdir "foldername" and Enter.

delete file

delete folder

Solution 3: Fix "Could Not Find This Item" Error through WinRAR

This solution is more easy for someone who doesn't like running commands. Using WinRAR can skip over the "could not find this item" error and remove file or folder. Then let's move on:

Step 1: Locate the file or folder with "could not find this item" error. Right-click on it and select Add to archive.

add to archive

Step 2: When the Archive name and parameters window pops up, check on the Delete files after archiving. Click on OK to create a new rar file. Then you can find that the formal files or folder have deleted.

delete files after archiving