cannot delete "ghost" .opdownload files, files missing
cannot delete "ghost" .opdownload files, files missing
i've been working with this issue for a few weeks now, since I usually decide to skip it and move forward because I can't resolve it.
recently, i spotted some .opdownload files, which are supposed to be downloads currently happening by opera. but there aren't any of them left, as all my downloads have ended and i've cleared the download/browser cache several times to ensure there are no remnants.
they resemble regular filenames—usually images like png or gif—but they end with the .opdownload extension.
trying to remove them results in this error:
i've attempted various solutions so far, including:
- using the cmd and command prompts (del or rename commands, rd /s "\\?\ ")
- changing the drive ownership
- putting the files into an archive (failed because the files don't exist)
- using iobits unlocker
- restarting the system multiple times
- refreshing the browser several times
- clearing the cache/history, etc.
- creating a new file with the same name, moving it, then deleting it
- closing every opera instance running
- using ccleaner to remove temporary files and check for other issues
i really don't want to have to reinstall opera, as it seems like a major hassle to reset everything. but i'm running out of options. if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.
I tried that several times but didn't get any results. Instead, I went into my indexing options and rebuilt the index database for my D drive, which seems to have resolved the issue this time! If I turn on my PC tomorrow and the files are back in the search list or generating more items in Opera GX, I'll let you know. At this stage, rebuilding the indexing base fixed it. Thank you for your help—have a great day!
There might be various causes why a file can't be deleted that come to mind.
#1. File corruption might occur. In such cases, using the chkdsk /f command could help.
#2. The file might still be open in an application. Restarting can sometimes resolve the issue, but if it reopens and locks files upon boot, switching to safe mode is often suggested.
This seems unlikely given the error you provided.
#3. A virus, malware, or ransomware could be involved. Ransomware typically encrypts files and adds an extension to make them unreadable until a ransom is paid. It would be unusual for ransomware to use the same extension as Opera's download files.
#4. File permissions might be the problem. You may not have access to the files, possibly because they were created under a different Windows account or due to restricted access from another program. Booting into Linux (without installation) can sometimes remove such files.
This also doesn't seem to fit the situation based on your error.
My conclusion is #1.
If Opera recently crashed, it could point to disk corruption. Consider repairing it with the chkdsk command and then attempting deletion afterward.
Thank you for the suggestion, I'll attempt it later tonight when I'm not using my PC. My PC actually crashed a few weeks ago after completing full screenings of a game (??). I believe I had Opera open at that time, not downloading anything, though it might have caused some issues.
Does chkdsk /f scan all drives or can I limit it to just the D drive? There don’t appear to be any corrupted .opdownload files on other drives, and my F drive is around 3TB. I assume it would take a long time to check, given its age and the occasional writing arm failure.
Well, it's a shame but it seems opera is just generating ghost .opdownload files... I don't understand why, but it's really annoying. If there are any other ideas, I'd be glad to try them! Maybe a fresh install could help.
Are there any file formats that Opera mistakenly marks for opening, causing it to believe it should download even though the files are already on your system?
i don't believe that's the case, since the files match exactly with the ones actually downloaded. for instance, if i saved a picture called "tree.jpg", it would also generate a file named "tree.jpg.opdownload" or even more complex versions. i've also tested opening them with various programs, but each time i encountered an error. renaming the files only produced a message saying the file wasn't found, similar to what was in my original post.
i removed opera the night before shutting down my pc and am now running chkdsk again. it seems these .opdownload files vanish after just a couple of steps, and i'm not sure if completing the process is necessary. i attempted to delete all remaining opera folders left by the app in different appdata locations, hoping reinstalling would help. if that didn't work, i plan to try the profile option mentioned in the linked post.
i'm fairly sure i'll revert to chrome temporarily, but i'll reinstall opera gx and let you know if that resolved the problem. anyone else seeing this issue might want to try something similar?
It seems the .opdownload files appear only when using the search feature, whether through the Windows Start menu or the Explorer window. They display a location they claim to be in, but when accessed, the files disappear. I searched every subfolder and turned on hidden file viewing, including grouped files by type, yet the missing files persist. I also tried searching by file name, extension, or specific extensions, like .gif for animated emojis. If I find a corrupted file with the right extension, it will show up because the original name remains. Could this indicate a problem with the search function or an indexing error?
Navigate to Settings / Update & Security / Troubleshoot / Additional Troubleshooters / Search and Indexing / Run the troubleshooter.
Execute it and observe if it provides assistance. Consider checking the box for "Files, folders, apps, or settings don't appear in results," even if your problem differs.
I tried that several times but didn't get any results. Instead, I went into my indexing options and rebuilt the index database for my D drive, which seems to have resolved the issue this time! If I turn on my PC tomorrow and the files are back in the search list or generating more items in Opera GX, I'll let you know. At this stage, rebuilding the indexing base fixed it. Thank you for your help—have a great day!