Delete a file that "does not exist" with a strange name

Question

I've read about deleting files which "do not exist"

and got as far as del /q /s filename in command prompt.

However, the file is named COM^sv3.O[e in the browser.

but when i type in dir it =

Of which there are charaters I cant even type. Even copying from teh command prompt, as is. It still "cannot find" the file.

Any ideas on how to delete?

Answer 1

That backspace character can be a problem. Use the UNC path. Switch to the directory where the file is stored, then use this command:

del \\?\%cd%\COM^sv?3.0[e

Of course this is assuming that the filename shown in your screenshot is complete. If not, then just reduce it to del \\?\%cd%\COM*

Also, did you try simply deleting the file in Explorer?

Answer 2

Use this command to see all files and directories starting with "COM":

dir /a COM*

If there is only the problematic file, try to delete it using:

del COM*