DelinvFile - Delete Invalid Files and Folders

Utility for Deleting Invalid Files

from the author of 

PurgeIE - Purge Cache, Cookies and Tracks for Internet Explorer

 - - - NOTICE - - -

Sale of licenses for SharePrep, OneDriveRx and Delinvfile will terminate December 31, 2024.

On that date, Assistance and Resources for Computing, Inc, will have been in the Shareware business for 25 years.

Support for these three current programs will continue through September 30, 2025, to provide 9 months of support for any last minute license sales.

Furthermore, we will have been incorporated for a total of 40 years in September, 2025.

We are taking this opportunity to thank the thousands of individuals and companies that have licensed our products.

We are looking forward to retirement and being able to get away from the computers.

              Jim Lawler
  JimLawler@PurgeIE.net

Version 5.07 implements a new Code Signing Certificate as 
the existing Code Signing Certificate was about to expire.

DelinvFile 5.07 supports Win-7 thru Win-11 [32 & 64 bit] 

The current version implements a new function for 
deleting empty folders via the Scan Window.

This limited trial provides for two (2) free deletes or renames. 
Please see details below. 

The price for the single-user license for DelinvFile is $41.95 (USD).

NOTICE - a Windows 10 default setting may conflict with DelinvFile functions.

Please see the Short Filenames note below related to this registry setting.

Beginning with version 5.01, DelinvFile includes UniCode logic to enable processing of file and folder names containing characters from other languages and includes Bulk Delete, Multi-select and a new method for displaying error messages.

Even though DelinvFile may not have handled your invalid files in the past, give the new version a try.

Windows allows the creation of file names and folder names that can not be deleted or renamed via Windows Explorer.  This includes names with invalid characters and names that are too long.

The current version of DelinvFile includes a function to scan for invalid names and too-long names.

DelinvFile is currently available as a limited trial. The limited trial provides for two (2) free deletes or renames.  

This is counted as follows:  1 - for each name renamed, each file deleted, each directory or sub-directory name deleted.

However, this provides the capability for testing to verify that the program can access and process your problem files and folders.

With this change, registration now includes a 15-day money-back guarantee to accommodate the situation in which DelinvFile fails to delete your problem files.  DelinvFile does require use of its problem reporting function for requesting a refund.

Some windows functions allow creation of folder paths such that the combined path + filename lengths exceed the maximum permitted length.  The current limit is 260 characters.  In other words, windows can create names that are too long for the standard Windows Explorer to delete.  The scan function also attempts to identify file and folder names with invalid characters which would make them un-removable via Windows Explorer. 

NOTE - DelinvFile does not delete or rename in-use (Locked) files.  However, DelinvFile does provide functions for deleting or renaming files and folders at the next Boot.

Too many invalid names to handle manually?  

Have thousands of files to import to SharePoint?

See SharePrep below for renaming and truncation of names.

This page describes "DelinvFile.exe" which is a Utility that you can use to delete data files that you have not been able to delete using the normal Windows Delete function.  You could use the phrase 'delete undeletable files' to describe the program.

Most file delete problems can be overcome by using a DOS or Command window to:

  1.  Execute a Delete command referencing the Short FileName or

  2.  Execute a Delete command for the UNC form of the FileName.

However, it is quite difficult to manually enter a lengthy filename without error.  Most of the relatively new computer users are not comfortable using DOS commands.  

UNC is an acronym for Universal Naming Convention.  By example, the Filename "C:\temp\test.doc" would be represented by "\\?\C:\temp\test.doc".

Click to access download page for DelinvFile

The current version of DelinvFile is 5.06

DelinvFile supports Win-7 thru Win-11 [32 & 64 bit] systems

Short Filenames

As DelinvFile makes use of the Short Filenames for its operations, we are asking our customers to change the Short Filenames registry setting when upgrading to Windows 10.

We are providing a free utility program "Reset83.exe" for checking and changing the necessary registry setting.

Further, some larger data centers have transferred MAC-created files to their servers.  As MAC systems allow filenames considered invalid to Windows systems,  SharePrep may have trouble with these particularly when the invalid character occurs within the short name.

Therefore, Assistance & Resources for Computing, Inc. will refund the license fee upon receipt of proof that DelinvFile is unable to perform as advertised.  Any request for a refund must be made within 15 days of the purchase.

Beginning with version 3.01, DelinvFile includes a function to scanning for invalid names (file or folder) and too-long names.

DelinvFile was converted to a commercial version with the release of version 2.01.

Site Licenses or Multiple-use Licenses for businesses are also available upon request via the vendor.  An additional 25% discount is available for Site Licenses for educational institutions, public libraries and government facilities.   [Request Quote]

"DelinvFile.exe" is a Windows program that provides a convenient User Interface for selecting the file that you need to delete and provides for a choice of two delete methods.

You use the standard controls for Drives, Folders, and Files to navigate to the Folder and Select the file to be deleted.

Note that Filenames are displayed in both forms - Short Filename and Long Filename as a convenience for the user.  

Once a Filename is selected (highlighted), you can click the Delete button to try to delete the file.

The current version of DelinvFile combines both the ShortName functions with the UNC functions.  That is, for Delete, a Delete via ShortName is tried.  Should that fail, a Delete via UNC name is tried.

Similarly, for Rename, a Rename via ShortName is tried and a Rename via UNC name is tried if necessary.

    Announcement - "SharePrep" released for Sharepoint

SharePrep is a utility program for SharePoint administrators to correct file and folder names in preparation for importing data into Microsoft's SharePoint or to Microsoft's OneDrive for Business.

The file and folder names within SharePoint and OneDrive have more restrictions than for normal Windows operation.

SharePrep has scan, rename and truncation functions to assist in the preparation project.  Abbreviation of common words in file names is supported.

See - https://www.purgeie.com/shareprep for details.

SharePrep is not just for SharePoint.  Some are using SharePrep to bulk rename files and folders.

Assistance & Resources for Computing, Inc
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Revised: November 13, 2024