How to delete a file with special characters.

from WinCustomize Forums

I was testing out the latest version of Gnome and decided to take some screenshots. Unfortunately Linux allows for special characters (the files were auto named Screenshot at 2012-01-05 20:47:31.png etc)

 

I had saved them to my external HDD and now I'm stuck with files that I cannot open (with windows) or even delete. I'm sure I could run the Gnome live disk and delete them from there, but I'm wondering if there is a windows solution to my problem.

53,020 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm "bumping" this not because I'm impatient.......I just wanted it to show up on the myreplies page.  O:)

Siege of Centauri
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

None of these are working for me, but thanks k6

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

How about Take Ownership?

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

un-hide extensions and rename/ delete

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting yrag, reply 6
un-hide extensions and rename/ delete

Yep...

I sometimes get error logs from Syncback when it can't backup a file [usually a thrd-party FSX skin] that has Chinese text in the name.  Simple enough to rename...and the Sync then runs fine...;)

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Damn Yrag, you're good. But you knew that, didn't you?      :moo:

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting yrag, reply 6
un-hide extensions and rename/ delete

Do you mean in the folder options: uncheck hide extensions for known file types?

 

I always have it set to show extensions.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Had this same problem with Xp and had to use unlocker to solve that...also shift+delete worked a few times. Now a few times had the same problem with W7 and tried several things...but these were with files I didn't care if they got deleted. First shift+delete...reboot and then delete seems to unlock it.

And in regards to Yrags suggestion yes thats what he meant...but you already have extensions showing. But the name it was auto named doesn't seem like something you'd thunk would lock up on you...go figure.

Another thing...and I'm just guessing here...is that maybe the app that renamed them is still open in the background?...and that's what's locking it up?

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I ended up booting with my Gnome live disk and deleting the files from there....no biggie, really....just annoying. Thanks everyone for your suggestions!