windows 7 - Files "exist" long after being deleted

07
2014-07
  • antikbd

    I am using Windows 7 x64. Now, there's this bunch of three jpegs that I deleted permanently from my computer a long time ago. There are no references to these files anywhere in my system - I have tried changing Explorer options to show all hidden and system files, as well as using the command prompt to see every file in the said directory. Everything appears as normal - the files don't exist.

    HOWEVER, when I conduct a search by extension (*.jpg) in the said directory, these three files appear out of nowhere. I can't see their thumbnails or open them, presumably because they don't exist. However, the search result shows the original size of the files. Annoying, I can't even "delete" them because they don't exist.

    Any way to get rid of these files permanently? Please have a look at the screenshot to see what I am talking about.

    screenshot

    • Answers
  • antikbd

    Fixed the issue through a rebuilding of the search index. Thanks guys!


    • Related Question

    delete - Windows 7: Is there a shortcut to deleting files without sending them to recycle bin?
  • oscilatingcretin

    After searching the internet for a while, I get a mix and match of "permanently change it through recycle bin properties" or other incorrect info such as "hit SHIFT+DEL". I am hoping there's a quick shortcut I could use that gives me access to that functionality only when I need it. For example, it'd be nice to hold shift while your right-click a file to expose additional options like "Permanently delete file". Of course, I know this doesn't exist (I actually checked for good measure). However, is there a similiar hidden shortcut to do this?

    Update: Always remember to test out every suggestion even if you are willing to bet money that it doesn't work!


    • Related Answers
  • wonea

    Shift+Del does still work, at least on my PC under win 7 64bit

  • wonea

    Shift+Del has been the shortcut for permanently deleting files since Windows 95, and still works in Windows 7:

    General keyboard shortcuts

    Ctrl+X Cut the selected item

    Shift+Delete Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first

    Same for Shift+dragging to the Recycle Bin.

  • Marko

    You might have your NumLock left switched ON if you're using Delete button on your numkeys. I usually get this problem because I used more on typing numbers from the numkeys and with that, I often forget that my NumLock was switched ON from using the numkeys to encode numbers. So you must have the numlock switched OFF to be able to use Shift + DEL for permanently deleting a file. Hope it helps.