Folder Deletion
 

Got a folder on the computer at work that won't let anyone delete it.

I've tried renaming, "Shift+Delete".

I am by no means a computer savvy person, any ideas?

Oh and its called "83814e935ee4291ba1c88f8e"
which is a total WTF in and of itself.

Do you get an error message?

just that the folder in inaccessible.

Once, in a galaxy long ago and far away, I recall having a similar problem at work. The folder on the server was "inaccessible" for deletion because someone was using it (i.e., had it open on their screen)... except no one did. The solution was we had to reboot every system and server until we found the one that was telling the network it had the folder open (except it didn't, the person who used that machine swore she hadn't done anything with that folder in days.)

Download "move on boot" I think it's by a company called Gipo. You right click on the folder, selcet move or delete on boot and re-boot. It deletes the file before the rest of the system has gotten out of its PJs.
http://www.gibinsoft.net/gipoutils/

cool thanks - I'll let the big man know - That isn't something I can do on my own.

Many reasons why a folder will not delete. All files and subdirectories (folders) have attributes. Read-only, System, and Hidden. If anything (folder or file) inside that folder has any of those attributes, then that existing content means the folder will not delete. If anything inside is system or hidden, then you will not see it without specifically asking to see such folders.

From example, from the DOS (command) prompt, go to that folder.
Ie CD FolderPathName
Then view contents for hidden or system attributes using multiple commends:
DIR /AS /S *.*
DIR /AH /S *.*
ATTRIB *.*

Or tell FileManager to also view system and hidden files. See TOOLS>FILE OPTIONS.

Second, if some other task has not released that folder or subdirectories inside that folder, then the folder cannot be deleted. That offending program (or process) first must be terminated.

Further options or information may be obtained from Windows HELP using keywords such as Hidden, System, Read-only, Attrib, and Dir.

Its a folder with a very strange name that seems normal in all other aspects. I know that something must be different since it won't allow deletion.
It is not a systems folder, nor hidden, nor read only.
When I "right" click" and get the properties, it's size is 0KB.
There is a network with a server and 5 other computers.
I cannot, I don't think access much of what is needed to address the problem or get the information needed.
I was hoping that one of you knew of a simple way to delete a folder like a combination of keys or a function key ... something like that.
The name of the file is so strange as well - that it makes me think it is a virus, a worm or something.

I have similarly named folders that don't like to delete on my harddrive and they usually have to do with my back-up drive and software. What tw says is probably the case. Is there some reason you harbor negative feelings toward this folder?

I'll hunt arond and see if I can find my crazy named folder and I'll see if it knows your folder.

This folder "appeared" one day in a place where nothing but images are stored. There is no reason to have a folder with this name or anything even remotely close to it. No one knows what this folder is or how it came to exist.
The name itself is bizarre also - "83814e935ee4291ba1c88f8e". Typical names in this place are simply compnany names Joe's Plumbing or Advanced woodworking. Nothing like this appears anywhere else.

I also have 2 nutty folders in my image partition. Both with 2 folders named AMD64 and i386. I made a new folder, unk crap and moved them there to see if anything went nuts.
Forgot about them till this thread. Clueless me.

Well buster at least yours are more common.
I knew AMD was a chip manufacturer . . . Here is some info on your folders.

Classic - are there files in the folder?

nope - its empty or at least reports as having no size and showing nothing in it.
That's another thing thats so odd. If its really empty why can't it be deleted?

A while ago I used process explorer (free download from microsoft) to find out what process had a file open. I don't know how it would work with a directory.

If this is a work machine, you might ask someone in IT. Do they push updates onto your machine? If so this might be a remnant.

Yeh its at work - we have no IT guy, just a know it all who really doesn't know any of it.


Thanks everyone - I'll take a look tomorrow and see.

Folders used to download and execute things such as Microsoft updates create such names. A temporary work space to perform tasks. Malware can also work that way.

The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal tool creates a directory with a similar (randomly created) directory name. This tool is updated every second Tuesday of the month. Can be downloaded and executed from www.microsoft.com/downloads.

If the attribute suggestions do not work, then load Task Manager. Delete every process that lets you delete it - except explorer. Then try to delete that directory again. If the directory is ties to malware or a failed and locked process, then the deleted process means that directory can be removed.

On that machine is a directory named 9ebb0a808014bf37d6eb580ece3f63 that contains update files for IE7. Another entitled cb89db71fa772ad9123499d1 that contains update files for IE8.

interesting - we shall see. I'll pass this all upstream and see what happens.
Thanks again.

I remembered my wacky folder with all the random seeming numbers and letters. It was part of my back up software and was related to the recycle bin in my back up drive.

Is it possible that somehow you were at "properties" for a certain folder and clicked "hidden" on or off? Then "apply to all subfolders" as well? That kind of thing makes all kinds of shit show up all of a sudden.

Not me. Some others around here who "think they know"? I'll plea the 5th and stay employed.