Could Not Find This Item: 3 Quick Ways to Fix This Error

Get rid of problematic files from File Explorer right away

4 min. read

Updated onMarch 20, 2024

updated onMarch 20, 2024

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Sometimes, you may be trying to delete a file that you are looking at on your screen. However, you will get an error message that saysFile Explorer could not find this item.

When you are deleting files, you are trying tofree up space on your hard drivefor other pressing tasks. More often than not, this message means there’s a problem with your storage drives. The file may not be visible because Windows thinks it’s in another location.

Why I’m I getting the Windows File ExplorerCould not find this item error?

If you are wondering why you are experiencing the Windows Explorer can’t find this item error, below are some possible reasons:

Now that you know why you could not find this item when deleting files, below are some solutions to help you resolve the issue.

How do I solve theWindows File Explorer could not find this itemerror?

Before applying the actual solutions, there are some preliminary checks you can apply:

Now, let’s check out the detailed procedures below.

1. Convert the file to a zipped file

Zipped files are compressed files that require a third-party tool to open, such asWinZip. The compressed files take up less space and you can easily unzip them with Windows’ built-in utility.

Once you have converted the file to a zipped folder, you can go back and locate the folder to delete it from your system.

2. Use a specialized troubleshooting tool

Sometimes Windows will retain some files in a temporary form because it is either corrupted, used by another program, or damaged.

A great solution is to use aspecialized toolto run aWindows File IntegrityScan to see if the files causing this kind of problem are corrupted.

3. Rename and delete the file with Powershell

If none of these solutions works for you, as a last resort you canstart your PC in Safe Mode. Safe Mode allows your PC to start without some software and drivers. This way, you can proceed to delete the file if there was a glitch.

Once you are successful in deleting the file, you may also run into a problem wheresome files can’t be emptied from the Recycle Bin. Luckily, our guide addresses fixes for that too.

You may also encounter an issue whereWindows File Explorer is slowbut worry not as our detailed article takes you through a step-by-step process on how to solve this problem.

Feel free to let us know of any other solutions not mentioned here that may have worked for you in the comment section below.

Could Not Find This Item: 3 Quick Ways to Fix This Error#

Why I’m I getting the Windows File ExplorerCould not find this item error?#

How do I solve theWindows File Explorer could not find this itemerror?#

1. Convert the file to a zipped file#

2. Use a specialized troubleshooting tool#

3. Rename and delete the file with Powershell#