On my mom's laptop, she had a html icon on the desktop. She deleted it, but it left like a "blank" icon. I can't get rid of this thing. I can drag it around on the desktop, but can't delete it. I've tried renaming it, but nothing. I've tried deleting it in safe mode, but still nothing. I've tried cmd line deleting it. I don't know what else to do. I've scanned with many malware scanners, but nothing was found. Does anyone else have suggestions? It's W10 64b.
Try chkdsk /f Perhaps there's an error/s in the file system. https://askleo.com/chkdsk_what_is_it_and_how_do_i_run_it/
I've ran sfc /scannow, chkdsk, mulitple virus scans, you can't take ownership, doesn't give that option in properties and show hidden files wasn't selected. So I'm not sure what else to do. It's not hurting anything, just annoying that I can't get rid of it.
Hello, Just an idea... Can you right click on the icon and bring up properties? If you can, make note of the location and name of the file, then try booting into safe mode, browse to the file in explorer and delete it there. If that does not work and you have a rescue disk such as Macrium Reflect that has a file explorer built in, you can boot into it and try to delete it there.
Are you sure you tried this? Run cmd prompt as admin type: chkdsk C: /f if this doesn't work then type: chkdsk C: /r This takes longer but repair is more extensive.
You could delete the IconCache.db file? See here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5645-rebuild-icon-cache-windows-10-a.html#post230766 more extensive repair: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-reset-icon-cache-database-windows-10
Try to change the extension. Programs: IoBit Unlocker, Unlocker 1.9.2 & there's many more. Those are 2 I use.
Does right-click > Properties offer up any info on what this thing might be as puff-m-d suggested? If not, check all your Desktop folders to see if it might be residing in one of them. A file browser can offer up a better viewpoint than the Desktop. My Win 10 Pro has these: C:\Users\username\Desktop C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop C:\Users\Default\Desktop C:\Users\Public\Desktop C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PlayReady\Internet Explorer\InPrivate\Desktop C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\Desktop C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\Desktop C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_SomeTextString\cache\Local\DesktopSomeTextString\cache\Desktop C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_SomeTextString\cache\Local\Desktop You might need elevated privileges, even as admin, to access some of these and with which you might effect a delete. Good luck.
Is "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" unchecked in folder options/view? If so and you delete this file it will just recreate itself each time you delete it.