Encountering a situation where deleted files keep reappearing on Windows 11 can be frustrating and perplexing. This issue can arise due to several reasons, such as system glitches, synchronization problems, or corrupted files. Fortunately, there are effective ways to resolve this problem. In this article, we’ll explore the potential causes and provide step-by-step solutions.
Method 1: Fix the Corrupted Recycle Bin
A corrupted Recycle Bin might retain files even after deletion. Thus, you can try fixing the Bin to stop files and folders from keeping coming back.
Step 1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Press Win + S, type cmd into the search box, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.
Step 2. Reset the Recycle Bin
In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin
This command will forcefully delete the Recycle Bin's contents and reset it to a fresh state.
Step 3. Restart Your Computer
After executing the command, restart your computer. Windows will automatically recreate a new, functional Recycle Bin.
Method 2: Turn Off OneDrive Sync
OneDrive can sometimes sync deleted files back to your system. If you delete a file locally, these services may see the file as needing to be restored to match the cloud storage.
Step 1. Open OneDrive
Click the OneDrive icon located in the system tray to open the OneDrive interface.
Step 2. Set Up Pause Syncing
In the OneDrive interface, click on Settings and then select Pause syncing from the dropdown menu, and select how long to pause according to your actual needs (e.g., 2 hours, 8 hours, etc.).
Method 3: Change File/Folder Permissions
If you have incorrect permissions to alter the files or folders, which causes deleted files to reappear on your system.
Step 1. Open File Properties
Right-click on the file or folder that is reappearing and select Properties from the context menu.
Step 2. Navigate to Security
In the Properties window, go to the Security tab and click the Advanced button.
Step 3. Change File/Folder Ownership
In the Advanced Security Settings window, click the Change link next to the Owner field. Enter Everyone and click Check Names to validate it.
Step 4. Grant Full Control
Go back to the Security tab, click Edit to change permissions. In the Permissions for SYSTEM section, choose Allow for all permissions.
Method 4. Delete Files Using Wise Force Deleter
If the deleted files still keep appearing after trying the above methods, then you can use a professional third-party tool - Wise Force Deleter to force the files to be deleted.
Step 1. Download and Install
Run Wise Force Deleter on your computer. If you don't have, you can download it by clicking here .
Step 2. Add Files to be Deleted
Click Add file or Add folder to choose the file or folder you want to delete forcibly. Click Yes on the warning pop-up window.
Step 3. Delete the File or Folder
Select the file or folder you added and click Unlock & Delete.
Conclusion
Deleting files on Windows 11 should be easy, but it can be annoying when files reappear after deletion. You can troubleshoot the causes of this problem and choose the most appropriate solution as described in this article.
