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File too large, unable to delete.

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Florian -  
 pragmatick -
Hello hello... !

By accident, using the "record" function of VLC, I created a huge .ts file of over 150 GB. The file is so large that I can't delete it. As a result, my computer is incredibly slow.
I can't right-click, move it, or cut it. Nothing works: delete, alt+delete,... I also can't do it through command lines (when I type del+file name, nothing happens). Since the file was saved in the Videos folder, a system folder, I can't delete or shred or compress the folder.
I tried several software (Unlocker, BleachBit, Q-Dir) but they all crash when I select the file.
I tried to compress it by selecting "delete compressed files," using 7Zip or WinRar, the compression works but when deleting the file, it runs indefinitely and ends up crashing.

I'm a bit at a loss and I don't see what I can do...
Thank you all for your help.

14 answers

  1. pragmatick
     
    I am posting my experience here.
    I had exactly the same problem and I managed to solve it in a very simple way.
    I dismantled my hard drive where the file I couldn't delete was located and I
    used another computer, treating it like a mere additional data hard drive.
    I went to find my stubborn file and despite its size, I had no trouble eliminating it.
    It didn't go through the recycle bin because it was too large and that's it.
    Then I put everything back together and ran a disk check to address any potential errors and that’s it.
    I hope this can help beginners like me who don't always master DOS or Linux.
    2
  2. kaneagle Posted messages 86294 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   14 686
     
    Hello,

    Try a system restore and choose a date prior to the problem.

    --
    Human beings are at their best when things are at their worst.
    1
  3. Florian
     
    Hello,

    Thank you for your response kaneagle. I tried, unfortunately the restoration does not affect personal files, so it didn't change anything...
    1
  4. darkleopard Posted messages 7926 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   1 184
     
    I agree with the idea of the framework; with a live USB, you should be able to delete that stubborn file.

    Or if you try with your XP installation CD.
    You go to CMD.
    You type notepad
    That should open Notepad for you.
    You go to the folder containing that file and try to delete it.
    But I'm not sure about this, I've never had XP in my hands (too young for that)..

    --
    Gaming is not a crime.
    Toshiba P870 - Quintuple Boot - i7 3630QM - 8 Go Ram - Nvidia GF108 4 Go
    1
  6. Florian
     
    I actually succeeded thanks to a Linux live USB!
    Thank you so much to everyone for your advice and responsiveness. I hope to be able to return the favor one of these days!
    1
    1. darkleopard Posted messages 7926 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   1 184
       
      Glad to have been able to help you ^^

      Have a great end of year celebration.
      @++
      0
  7. darkleopard Posted messages 7926 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   1 184
     
    hello.

    In Windows, is there an option to delete files directly from the PC without them going to the recycle bin?

    Like in Linux.
    It would allow you to get rid of that file.
    I'll check that..

    --
    Gaming is not a crime.
    Toshiba P870 - Quintuple Boot - i7 3630QM - 8 GB Ram - Nvidia GF108 4 GB
    0
    1. darkleopard Posted messages 7926 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   1 184
       
      A tester.
      I found this

      https://www.pcinfo.fr/viewtopic.php?t=957
      0
      1. Florian > darkleopard Posted messages 7926 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention  
         
        Thank you @darkleopard, but I tried these kinds of key combinations and/or keyboard shortcuts from the beginning, and it doesn't work. The file is simply too large to be processed.
        0
      2. darkleopard Posted messages 7926 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   1 184 > Florian
         
        Your problem is getting tough..!!!

        But I find one thing surprising.
        On Windows when you delete a file, and it's too large, you are asked if you want to permanently delete it because it cannot fit in the recycle bin, and therefore, the file will be irretrievably destroyed.

        It's weird that you didn't get this message.
        And unlocker isn't able to delete it?!? Is it the software that freezes or the PC??
        0
  8. poupougne13 Posted messages 43203 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   11 050
     
    Hello...

    Probably a silly question, but you never know: can you watch these videos with VLC?
    If so, does VLC have a "delete" or "remove" option...?

    Best regards,
    @+

    --
    "Who wants to climb a mountain starts from the bottom!"
    Signed: "Gillette" alias "nobody"! ;) (°!°)
    0
  9. Florian
     
    @darkleoard: actually, when I press "Delete" or "Alt+Delete" after selecting the file, nothing happens.
    Unlocker (or other similar software, like BleachBit or WinDirStat) freezes as soon as I try to "delete" the file.

    @poupougne13: impossible to read the file, it's too large, when I double click on it or right-click, it crashes the computer.
    0
  10. poupougne13 Posted messages 43203 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   11 050
     
    And without trying to read it, but in the VLC menu... nothing?
    Another suggestion, of which I have no idea what it could do: REVO UNINSTALLER... I know it's for removing programs, but you never know...?!
    "Who wants to climb a mountain starts from the bottom!"
    Signed: "Gillette" aka "nobody"! ;) (°!°)
    0
  11. darkleopard Posted messages 7926 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   1 184
     
    It's not Alt + Delete
    but Shift + Delete that you need to use to permanently delete the file without sending it to the recycle bin ^^

    And the Del command in CMD will also permanently delete the file without going through the recycle bin.
    Try doing this in safe mode if, for example, a process is blocking access.

    In your CMD, you have several options.
    You can either do del your-file-name.ts

    or you can navigate to the directory where it is located, let's say videos.
    Then in CMD, you type

    cd videos
    hit enter.
    del your-file-name.ts

    or you can type (always after cd videos)
    del c:\users\your-username\videos*.ts

    this will delete all .ts files from the videos folder.

    Adjust according to your PC of course ;)
    Gaming is not a crime.
    Toshiba P870 - Quintuple Boot - i7 3630QM - 8GB RAM - Nvidia GF108 4GB
    0
  12. Malekal_morte- Posted messages 178136 Registration date   Status Moderator, Security Contributor Last intervention   24 712
     
    Hi,

    Also try:
    Start Menu / run / regsvr32 -u shmedia.dll and then click OK
    Restart the computer

    Try again.

    It would be good to run a checkdisk on the drive where the video is located.

    --
    Please press any key to continue the disinfection...
    0
  13. Florian
     
    @popupougne13: no, nothing on VLC.

    @darkleopard: I already tried with CMD, including in safe mode, and nothing works. I type the command line, and when I hit enter it jumps a line, it freezes, and I can't type anything...

    @Malekal_morte: I tried regsvr32, no change. I did a checkdisk, apparently no problem!

    Thanks everyone for your replies...
    0
    1. jeanbern Posted messages 13740 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   5 136
       
      Hi,
      I've been at this since the beginning.
      I'm also looking at it from my side

      it's enough to tear your hair out !!!!
      0
  15. Anonymous user
     
    Good evening,
    Have you tried in safe mode, Administrator session?
    Otherwise, you can also try with a live Linux CD/USB.
    0