Invalid file handle error during delete, rename, copy, etc. operations

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If y'all receive Invalid file handle error during rename, delete, re-create, etc. operations in Windows eleven/x/8/7, hither is a simple solution that will set your trouble within moments. This trouble occurs when your system tries to carry out an performance on a folder or file using these words:

CON, PRN, AUX, NUL, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, COM5, COM6, COM7, COM8, COM9, LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, LPT4, LPT5, LPT6, LPT7, LPT8, and LPT9.

If yous try to create or rename a binder or file with these reserved words, yous will receive error – The specified device name is invalid. This happens considering these are Windows system reserved words and you cannot utilise them like other words. If you have a file or binder with such words on some other computer running a non-Windows Os and you attempt to copy or rename it in Windows, you will encounter this error message.

Invalid file handle error during delete, rename, copy

While yous can use the Skip button, if at that place are multiple such files or folders, you tin can utilize the Control Prompt. There is a simple control that will remove the folder and all the files inside that binder.

Open Command Prompt on your Windows calculator and execute this command-

rd \\.\file-binder-path /Due south /Q

Explanation:

The rd command will remove the directory or folder.
The \\. command is used to select the electric current computer.
/Due south helps yous remove all the sub-directories and files that are contained in the CON binder.
/Q is non mandatory since information technology helps yous remove everything silently. If y'all enter this, y'all won't go whatsoever confirmation bulletin.

You need to enter the full file/folder path.

For case, if you have a folder named CON on your Desktop, the path will appear like this-

C:\Users\<username>\Desktop\CON

The command will appear like this:

rd \\.\C:\Users\<username>\Desktop\CON /S /Q

If this error occurs for other reasons, employ the following:

FSUTIL reparsepoint delete C:\Users\<username>\Desktop\FileName DEL C:\Users\<username>\Desktop\FileName

This removes the reparse signal extended functionality.

You volition at present exist able to delete the file.

Hope it works for you.

Anand Khanse is the Admin of TheWindowsClub.com, a ten-year Microsoft MVP (2006-16) & a Windows Insider MVP. Please read the entire mail & the comments first, create a System Restore Point before making any changes to your system & be careful almost any third-party offers while installing freeware.