How to delete corrupt folder?

I have a folder on the desktop which is about 1.6 GB in size. When I try to open it I get a message like this:

The file or directory is corrupt or unreadable

Fortunately, I have a backup of that folder so I want to get rid of this folder. If I try to delete it, it fails to delete however I can rename the folder, move it and do whatever except deletion. I've tried various methods but could not succeed.

I am using Windows 8.1 Pro.

Ram Kumar

Posted 2013-11-11T14:42:24.143

Reputation: 225

Answers

Look at the disk properties from Windows Explorer
Go to the Tools tab
Choose Error Checking
You will need to reboot to allow CHKDSK to run at startup
The corrupted directory will either be restored to a readable state or deleted

Alternatively, the command line approach is CHKDSK C: /B (replace C: with your drive as appropriate)

Once run, you can tidy up as you wish.

Chenmunka

Posted 2013-11-11T14:42:24.143

Reputation: 3 019

Important to know: if you schedule an error check after reboot it might take a very long time (depending on the size of the disk). – mercutio – 2017-07-19T12:57:26.883

Thanks so much, I literally just spent an hour or two trying to figure out ways to delete a corrupted folder. – Alex Lowe – 2017-10-31T01:47:21.510

I have OS in C drive and the corrupted folder is in C drive can i still do this ? – Ram Kumar – 2013-11-11T15:00:33.880

I used the Puppy Linux bootable CD, used its file manager to locate the file and folder, clicked on the file, deleted it, then the folder. It worked great

Burgerman

Posted 2013-11-11T14:42:24.143

Reputation: 11

-1

Boot any Linux distribution from a USB and delete that file/folder. Just turn off fast boot first to access your HDD from Linux.

Ajay Chopra

Posted 2013-11-11T14:42:24.143

Reputation: 11

1This was suggested nearly 2 years ago. – Ramhound – 2016-05-19T19:54:06.233