Share this article

Improve this guide

FIX: Windows 10 Explorer deleted files still show

4 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

Share this article

Improve this guide

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Key notes

In Windows 10 users can permanently or temporarily delete folders. That said, many users have reported that Windows 10 keeprestoring the deleted filesregardless of the location.

After deleting the file, the files show up in File Explorer after a refresh. Here’s how one userdescribed this peculiar issue:

I have several empty folders on my desktop.  When I delete them, they immediately re-appear.  They also re-appear if I rename them…

Delete the re-appearing files or folders for good with the steps below.

What can I do if deleted files keep showing on Windows 10?

What can I do if deleted files keep showing on Windows 10?

1. Remove the files with a third-party uninstaller

CCleaner has a free version that can save you a huge amount of effort if you want to get rid of files that are often left behind even after you’ve supposedly deleted them.

It is clearly one of the best tools of this kind because it’s light, easy to use, and encompasses tons of useful features to keep your PC cleaning and running as new.

CCleaner can help you uninstall apps directly from the app, clean your browser, clean your registry and remove unnecessary junk files that only take up space.

On top of all these, it not only uninstalls pesky programs but also easily cleans up the leftovers in folders and registries of any kind.

⇒Get CCleaner

2. Use Shift-Delete to delete the files

3. Scan for Virus / Malware

Additionally, if you look for other effective antiviruses and don’t know where to go or what criteria you should consider, we recommend using thebest antivirus software with the highest detection rate.

4. Repair files and folders automatically

5. Repair the Recycle Bin

Were the above solutions helpful? Let us know in the comments area below.

Take a closer look at ourWindows 10 sectionif you’d like to find the latest news and guides.

For similar fixes from tech experts, just bookmark ourPC Software Troubleshooting Hub.

More about the topics:windows 10

Tashreef Shareef

Tashreef Shareef is a software developer turned tech writer. He discovered his interest in technology after reading a tech magazine accidentally. Now he writes about everything tech from Windows to iOS and streaming services to IoT at WindowsReport.

User forum

2 messages

Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Commenting as.Not you?

Save information for future comments

Comment

Δ

Tashreef Shareef