[Android Central Question]

There is one image file on my phone that I cannot open, delete, move, or rename. It says that it is write-protected. I am trying to transfer my photos from my phone to my computer via USB cable.

I have turned debugging on and off. I have changed it from media device to camera. I have (carefully) tweaked the registry. I have right-clicked on the file and gone to "Properties." There are three tabs across the top: General, References, Details. The file is not marked as read only, but it cannot be opened, moved, changed, or deleted.

The file does not show up in the gallery on my phone. It is only found once I connect it via USB to my computer through the computer's File Explorer. Searching the phone with the phone's search does not find the file.

Any help to delete this file would be appreciated.

I am using a Samsung Note 3 (which still works great) and a Windows 10 PC.

[mustang7757]

There is one image file on my phone that I cannot open, delete, move, or rename. It says that it is write-protected. I am trying to transfer my photos from my phone to my computer via USB cable.

I have turned debugging on and off. I have changed it from media device to camera. I have (carefully) tweaked the registry. I have right-clicked on the file and gone to "Properties." There are three tabs across the top: General, References, Details. The file is not marked as read only, but it cannot be opened, moved, changed, or deleted.

The file does not show up in the gallery on my phone. It is only found once I connect it via USB to my computer through the computer's File Explorer. Searching the phone with the phone's search does not find the file.

Any help to delete this file would be appreciated.

I am using a Samsung Note 3 (which still works great) and a Windows 10 PC.

Hi, if you make a account here me or other members would be happy to assist you .
Can you take a screenshot of this file?

[ManiacJoe]

After you find the file using Windows File Explorer, on your phone use your file browser to find the same file. From there you should be able to delete the file or at least view the file attributes.

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Also, just to be sure, this file is on Internal Storage and not on the SD card?

[leyankee]

Internal storage.

[leyankee]

After you find the file using Windows File Explorer, on your phone use your file browser to find the same file. From there you should be able to delete the file or at least view the file attributes.

I've tried using the phone's file browser, but nothing shows up. The file only appears on my computer.

[B. Diddy]

What's the exact directory the file is in? Are you certain it's not a protected system directory?

[mustang7757]

I like to see a screenshot of it ?

[leyankee]

[mustang7757]

I would check one more time on your phone file directory and go into settings and enable hidden files ?

[leyankee]

I've already enabled hidden files on my phone. The file doesn't seem to show up anywhere.

[mustang7757]

I've already enabled hidden files on my phone. The file doesn't seem to show up anywhere.

Are you using more then 1 file directory?

[leyankee]

I don't know how to check that. I have the phone memory and the SD card. Nothing is affected on the SD card, only on the phone.

[mustang7757]

I don't know how to check that. I have the phone memory and the SD card. Nothing is affected on the SD card, only on the phone.

Did you download like files explorer? , stock has my files or files .

[leyankee]

I only have the My Files file explorer that came with the phone.

[mustang7757]

I only have the My Files file explorer that came with the phone.

Ok, now in your files under downloads is the picture there ?
Or in files under DCIM?

[leyankee]

I don't see anything with that file name or any photo that is unknown to me.

[Mooncatt]

When viewing on your PC, are those special characters part of the file name? What's the file extension? When you say it's write protected, do you mean you also tried via your PC?

[mustang7757]

When viewing on your PC, are those special characters part of the file name? What's the file extension? When you say it's write protected, do you mean you also tried via your PC?

I think what OP means it doesn't show on the phone but pops up on the PC when phone connected by wire under phone and lt says it's write protected . Looks like a picture screen shot from Instagram.

I'm thinking it's more issue have to find on the phone itself. Just haven't had time to go over this work at the moment . If you have suggestions see what u come up with.

[leyankee]

Yes, those characters are part of the name. There are also blank spaces in the file name. It's a .png file. The file only shows up on my PC when I connect the phone and the PC says that it cannot delete it because it is write protected.

[Mooncatt]

Yes, those characters are part of the name. There are also blank spaces in the file name. It's a .png file. The file only shows up on my PC when I connect the phone and the PC says that it cannot delete it because it is write protected.

It's a bit of a long shot, but can you at least rename it to remove the space(s) and special characters? I'm wondering if that's what's tripping it up.

[mustang7757]

Yes, those characters are part of the name. There are also blank spaces in the file name. It's a .png file. The file only shows up on my PC when I connect the phone and the PC says that it cannot delete it because it is write protected.

I would check your Google drive , and Samsung cloud see if that photo exist there ?

[Galactic Zoo]

Long shot but theres a Windows program called Lock Hunter. It removes stubborn files by changing the permissions to allow the user to take control and be able to delete them.

[B. Diddy]

Do you recall actually taking that screenshot? Just wondering if it might be some malicious file from some other source.

[leyankee]

I rarely take screenshots, and I don't visit or use Instagram.