Deleted Files and Folders On Windows Keep Coming Back, What Can Be Done?

Has it ever happened that you tried deleting a file or folder from your computer and it reappeared again? It’s kind of frustrating, right? You delete files or folders for the simple reason that you don’t want them, that’s it! But, quite many Windows 10 users have faced similar issues when the files they had deleted kept on coming back.

So, if deleted files keep coming back on your Windows 10 PC, here are the measures you can take to resolve the issue.

Fixes for Deleted Files Keep Coming Back on Windows 10:

1. Run An Antivirus Scan And Use A File Shredder To Delete Unwanted Files

Things can become really scary if the deleted files and folders that keep coming back on your computer are strange and you have no clue what they are. Worse! However much you try, they just refuse to go. This could possibly mean that they are infected with some or the other kind of virus. Now, two tools can help you get rid of such files.

(i) A robust Antivirus software

(ii) A file shredder software

After reading the heading, you might think that I will now have to install two different software – (i) An Antivirus that would look for malicious files and folders and (ii) a file deletion/ shredder that can completely delete a file, right? How about we tell you that there are software which bear the goodness of both. And, Advanced System Optimizer is one such software.

Let’s have a look at both the modules of Advanced System Optimizer

1. Download and install Advanced System Optimizer

2. From the left-hand pane click on Security & Privacy

3. Now, in the screenshot above, No. 1 denotes the System Protector module which gives you protection against all kinds of malware and No. 2 denotes the Secure Delete module that can help you shred and delete files permanently. Click on each of each of these modules and follow on screen instructions.

1. System Protector

 

2. Secure Delete Module

 

Also Read: Advanced System Optimizer – A Comprehensive Review

2. Resolve A Corrupted Or A Broken Recycle Bin

If deleted files and folders keep coming back on Windows 10’s recycle bin, chances could be that there are some issues with the Recycle bin itself. Here are the steps to fix a corrupted recycle bin –

1. In the Windows search bar type cmd

2. From the right-hand pane open Run as administrator

3. Type the below mentioned command in the Command Prompt

rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin

4. Press Enter

5. Type exit to close the Command Prompt

3. Turn Off Cloud Sync Or Uninstall Third-Party Cloud Storage

You can try turning off cloud sync or uninstall a cloud service especially if it is uses SharpShell extension-

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R keys

2. Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter. This will open the Programs and Features in the Control Panel

3. Select the cloud storage service listed in the Control Panel

4. Select Uninstall from the top

5. Restart computer

Now, if you just want to turn off auto-sync, here are the probable steps you can take. Let’s say you use Dropbox as your cloud service provider. To turn off auto-sync in Dropbox.

1. Click on the Dropbox icon on your system tray

2. On the top right-hand corner click on the dropdown against your profile

3. Select Preferences

4. Click on Sync

5. Click on Selective Sync

4. Check System Permissions

There’s a possibility that the system itself is not allowing you to make changes to files and folders because of which you are unable to remove files. In that case, you can check and make changes to your system permissions –

1. Right-click on the file or folder you wish to delete

2. Select Properties

3. Click on Security tab

4. Click on Advanced at the bottom

5. Select Change next to the Owner

6. Next to the owner, click on Change option (hyperlinked)

7. In the box enter names and press OK

8. Head back to the Security tab and click on Edit

9. In the Permissions for System choose Allow for all permissions

Also Read: File Access Denied In Windows 10 – What To Do

5. Fix Corrupted System Files

A lot many Windows errors can be attributed to the presence of some or the other corrupted files. To deal with corrupted files you can use the sfc /scannow function. Here are the steps to do the same –

1. In the Windows search bar type cmd

2. Type sfc /scannow and press enter

3. The file checker tool would detect and repair corrupted files

Conclusion

We earnestly hope that with the above workarounds deleted files and folders won’t come back on your Windows 10 computer. For more such content keep reading Tweak Library. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Flipboard. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

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