Fix File and Folder Problems in Windows 7, Vista, and XP — Historical Guide

Historical support note: Windows 7, Vista, and XP are out of support.

File and folder problems can have very different causes: permissions, a file that is in use, disk errors, network disconnects, Explorer settings, or damaged Windows components. One repair command does not address all of them.

If you cannot rename, move, or delete a file

Make sure the file is not open in another application.
Check whether you have permission to modify the folder.
If the item is on a network share, verify the network connection and share permissions.
If many unrelated files become unreadable or disappear, check the disk before continuing.

If Windows Explorer itself is malfunctioning

On Windows 7 or Vista, run System File Checker from an elevated Command Prompt:

sfc /scannow

On Windows XP, SFC may request the matching installation media.

SFC repairs protected Windows system files. It does not fix ordinary user-document permissions, undelete missing files, or repair every file-system problem.

About the old File and Folder Fix It

Microsoft previously provided downloadable Fix It troubleshooters for some Explorer/file problems. Those packages are retired and should not be downloaded from unofficial mirrors.