I have a folder on Windows 11 whose name ends with a period. File Explorer shows it, and it also appears when I run dir from Command Prompt, but Windows reports "Cannot find this item" whenever I try to delete or rename it. I have already restarted the computer, tried Command Prompt and PowerShell as administrator, attempted to rename it from both Explorer and the command line, tried creating a ZIP archive, and run chkdsk without finding errors. I can select the folder name, but I cannot copy it. What else can I try to remove it?
3 Answers
Try opening the disk with 7-Zip File Manager and deleting the folder from there. It can sometimes handle filenames that Explorer cannot, and it is worth trying before using more drastic options.
If you use Command Prompt or PowerShell, make sure the folder name is enclosed in quotation marks, especially if it contains spaces or unusual characters. You may also need to specify the complete parent path rather than relying on the visible name.
If Windows tools still cannot access it, boot the computer from a Linux live USB, mount the Windows drive, and delete the incorrectly named folder from there. Make sure you select the correct drive and have a backup before making changes.
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