The “Could Not Find This Item” deletion error is a common issue that Windows users face when they try to delete a file. This error message occurs when Windows cannot locate the file that you are trying to delete. In this article, we will discuss six ways to fix the “Could Not Find This Item” deletion error in Windows.

1. Rename the file

The first solution to try is to rename the file. Sometimes, the file name may be too long or contain special characters that are causing the error. Changing the file name to something simple and short can sometimes resolve the issue.

2. Use Command Prompt

Another way to fix the error is by using Command Prompt. Open Command Prompt and navigate to the folder where the file is located. Then, type in the following command: “del filename.extension” (without quotes), where “filename” is the name of the file to be deleted and “extension” is the file extension. This will force delete the file.

3. Use Unlocker

Unlocker is a free utility that can help you delete files that are locked or in use by other applications. Download and install Unlocker, then right-click on the file that you want to delete and select “Unlocker”. Click on “Delete” and the file should be deleted without any errors.

4. Change file permissions

Sometimes, the file may not be deletable due to permission issues. To fix this, right-click on the file and select “Properties”. Go to the “Security” tab and click on “Edit”. Change the permissions for the file to allow full control, then try to delete the file again.

5. Check for file errors

The file may be corrupted or contain errors that are causing the deletion error. To check for errors, right-click on the file and select “Properties”. Go to the “Tools” tab and click on “Check”. This will scan the file for errors and fix them if possible.

6. Restart Windows Explorer

If none of the above solutions work, try restarting Windows Explorer. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager”. Go to the “Processes” tab and scroll down to “Windows Explorer”. Right-click on it and select “Restart”. This will refresh Windows Explorer and may resolve the deletion error.

In conclusion, the “Could Not Find This Item” deletion error can be frustrating, but there are several solutions that you can try to fix it. By following these six methods, you should be able to delete the file without any issues.