Windows 7 – Could not find this item – when deleting files

Sometimes applications save files and folders in a way that can’t be deleted via Windows Explorer. The solution is to determine 8.3 format (Short file name) via a command prompt and delete the file within the command prompt dialog as follows:

1) Open a Command Prompt.
2) Browse to the parent folder of the file or folder you want to delete.
3) Type ‘dir /x’ to obtain the 8.3 formatted filename.
4) Delete the file using the 8.3 filename, e.g. ‘del somefilename~1.txt’

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