[TIP] delete files with illegal characters... by Juergen Hestermann

[TIP] delete files with illegal characters [Tip]

By: Juergen Hestermann
Date: Jan 18,2001 at 20:52
In Response to: [TIP] delete files with illegal characters (ljp)

> I had somehow managed to create a file named ?
> which I couldn't delete (illegal filename). I
> found this tip, and wanted to share it here.

> del \\.\Drive:\directory\filename

> so, in my case
> del \\.\G:\WINNT\?

> deleted that rascal ? file that's plagued me for
> weeks.

Be careful. The command you gave deletes *all* files in the directory consisting of only one character because the ? is taken as a wildcard (where your problem file is included).

> Don't ask how I created a filename with illegal
> characters, I don't know. Better yet- ask MS why
> the file system allowed a file to be created with
> illegal characters in the file name, but wouldn't
> let it be deleted.

> Lots of great tips at
> http://www.jsiinc.com/reghack.htm

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Messages in this Thread

[TIP] delete files with illegal characters (801) - ljp - Jan 18,2001 at 17:21 [Tip]
- [TIP] delete files with illegal characters (786) - Juergen Hestermann - Jan 18,2001 at 20:52
  - [TIP] delete files with illegal characters (939) - ljp - Jan 19,2001 at 02:02
    - [TIP] delete files with illegal characters (761) - Michael Kahn - Jan 19,2001 at 05:10
      - [TIP] delete files with illegal characters (773) - Charles Schubach - Jan 19,2001 at 05:23
    - [TIP] delete files with illegal characters (766) - Charles Schubach - Jan 19,2001 at 05:32
    - [TIP] delete files with illegal characters (703) - Olivier Avenel - Jan 19,2001 at 06:30
    - ? may not be a real ? (715) - Slobodan Vujnovic - Jan 19,2001 at 06:54
- [TIP] delete files with illegal characters (752) - Jim Wilson - Jan 19,2001 at 02:02