Can't delete folder!

[The Seabat]

Howdy:
Running Win7 H P 64-bit

I have a couple of folders inside a folder on my desktop. I can't
delete them! Every time I try it says that they aren't there, but they
are. I've re-booted, been into SafeMode and even right clicked and
entered Properties>Security>Edit, etc, etc, etc and gave permission at
one time or another to everyone listed (2). No joy!

How do I get rid of these pesky folders? There are no files inside of
them, they are empty, save for a couple of sub-folders. Can't delete
the sub-folders either.

Am I going to have to re-install Windows to get rid of these freakin'
things? Thanks for any help.

- -
The Seabat

 

[Yousuf Khan]

Howdy:
Running Win7 H P 64-bit

I have a couple of folders inside a folder on my desktop. I can't
delete them! Every time I try it says that they aren't there, but they
are. I've re-booted, been into SafeMode and even right clicked and
entered Properties>Security>Edit, etc, etc, etc and gave permission at
one time or another to everyone listed (2). No joy!

How do I get rid of these pesky folders? There are no files inside of
them, they are empty, save for a couple of sub-folders. Can't delete
the sub-folders either.

Am I going to have to re-install Windows to get rid of these freakin'
things? Thanks for any help.

- -
The Seabat

You could try a utility called Remove Empty Directories (RED).

Remove Empty Directories - Freeware for Windows
http://www.jonasjohn.de/lab/red.htm

If that doesn't work, then perhaps the folder names or paths are too
long? See if you can't rename them to shorter names, like "x" or "a" or
whatever.

Chances are that you won't be able to rename them either. So in that
case, your only hope is to boot into an outside operating environment
and delete them from outside of Windows. There is a set of utilities,
built ontop of Linux that can do this for you, called BootMed.

BootMed - The Best Medicine for a Computer that Won't Boot, and other
Ailments
http://www.bootmed.com/

Yousuf Khan

 

[Paul]

Howdy:
Running Win7 H P 64-bit

I have a couple of folders inside a folder on my desktop. I can't
delete them! Every time I try it says that they aren't there, but they
are. I've re-booted, been into SafeMode and even right clicked and
entered Properties>Security>Edit, etc, etc, etc and gave permission at
one time or another to everyone listed (2). No joy!

How do I get rid of these pesky folders? There are no files inside of
them, they are empty, save for a couple of sub-folders. Can't delete
the sub-folders either.

Am I going to have to re-install Windows to get rid of these freakin'
things? Thanks for any help.

- -
The Seabat

Just for the record, give some example directory paths, of
where the files are located.

Windows 7 has junction points, libraries, VirtualStore and
its share of tricks. You need to understand the tricks, in
order to use the file system.

As an example, you can't store a file under C: directly.
There are also limits on dumping you own files into Program Files.
So if you post the path to where the stuff is stored, it makes
it easier to explain the issue (or not).

Paul

 

[Char Jackson]

As an example, you can't store a file under C: directly.
There are also limits on dumping you own files into Program Files.

Side question...I have no problem storing files in the root of C: or
in the Program Files folder. Is that because I have UAC disabled?

 

[Paul]

Side question...I have no problem storing files in the root of C: or
in the Program Files folder. Is that because I have UAC disabled?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Account_Control

"UAC attempts to alleviate this using File and Registry Virtualization"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927387

"When you use an application for which virtualization is enabled, you
create data files in virtualizable locations of the file system. When
you use another application or Windows Explorer to access these newly
created files, you cannot find them. For example, if you save a file in
a photo editing application in the %programfiles%, %systemroot%,
%systemdrive%, or %programdata% folders, you cannot locate this file."

It looks like that is a function of UAC, but who knows when these
features are really turned off.

*******

If Microsoft wants to do stuff like this, they should have designed
an Explorer for the file system, that would explain these things.
Like if you attempt to delete a file, it could give you a lecture
in a giant balloon dialog, about where the file is actually
stored, what permissions are involved, what program has the
file open, and so on. Rather than making the OS into a giant
"Whack a mole" game :-(

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whac-A-Mole

That's why I'd prefer to see posters mention a path, so it's
easier to explain what is going on. Just suggesting a bigger
nuclear weapon to delete files, isn't the best approach, as
sooner or later the wrong thing is going to get deleted.

Paul

 

[Char Jackson]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Account_Control

"UAC attempts to alleviate this using File and Registry Virtualization"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927387

"When you use an application for which virtualization is enabled, you
create data files in virtualizable locations of the file system. When
you use another application or Windows Explorer to access these newly
created files, you cannot find them. For example, if you save a file in
a photo editing application in the %programfiles%, %systemroot%,
%systemdrive%, or %programdata% folders, you cannot locate this file."

It looks like that is a function of UAC, but who knows when these
features are really turned off.

*******

If Microsoft wants to do stuff like this, they should have designed
an Explorer for the file system, that would explain these things.
Like if you attempt to delete a file, it could give you a lecture
in a giant balloon dialog, about where the file is actually
stored, what permissions are involved, what program has the
file open, and so on. Rather than making the OS into a giant
"Whack a mole" game :-(

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whac-A-Mole

That's why I'd prefer to see posters mention a path, so it's
easier to explain what is going on. Just suggesting a bigger
nuclear weapon to delete files, isn't the best approach, as
sooner or later the wrong thing is going to get deleted.

Paul

Thanks, Paul, although I can't tell if that really answered my
question. I suppose I could enable UAC and see what happens, but not
today.

 

[Paul]

Thanks, Paul, although I can't tell if that really answered my
question. I suppose I could enable UAC and see what happens, but not
today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Account_Control

"It is possible to turn off UAC while installing software, and
reenable it at a later time.[20]

However, this is not recommended since, as File & Registry Virtualization
is only active when UAC is turned on, user settings and configuration files
may be installed to a different place (a system directory rather than a
user-specific directory) if UAC is switched off than they would be
otherwise.[21]"

HTH,
Paul

 

[Unk]

Howdy:
Running Win7 H P 64-bit

I have a couple of folders inside a folder on my desktop. I can't
delete them! Every time I try it says that they aren't there, but they
are. I've re-booted, been into SafeMode and even right clicked and
entered Properties>Security>Edit, etc, etc, etc and gave permission at
one time or another to everyone listed (2). No joy!

How do I get rid of these pesky folders? There are no files inside of
them, they are empty, save for a couple of sub-folders. Can't delete
the sub-folders either.

Am I going to have to re-install Windows to get rid of these freakin'
things? Thanks for any help.

- -
The Seabat

Start up in the safe mode, Command prompt and type
chkdsk c: /f

Reboot and the folders should be gone, or deletable.

There is also Unlocker: http://www.emptyloop.com/unlocker/

Unk

 

[Jeff Layman]

Howdy:
Running Win7 H P 64-bit

I have a couple of folders inside a folder on my desktop. I can't
delete them! Every time I try it says that they aren't there, but they
are. I've re-booted, been into SafeMode and even right clicked and
entered Properties>Security>Edit, etc, etc, etc and gave permission at
one time or another to everyone listed (2). No joy!

How do I get rid of these pesky folders? There are no files inside of
them, they are empty, save for a couple of sub-folders. Can't delete
the sub-folders either.

Am I going to have to re-install Windows to get rid of these freakin'
things? Thanks for any help.

Download and install a utility such as Eraser, MoveOnBoot, LockHunter,
or similar. Then use it to delete the folder(s) at boot. This allows
deletion before something (usually explorer.exe) gets its hooks into the
file or folder.

 

[Ken Blake]

As an example, you can't store a file under C: directly.

Sorry, that's not correct. You certainly can (although you need to
have administrator privileges).

 

[Nil]

Download and install a utility such as Eraser, MoveOnBoot,
LockHunter, or similar. Then use it to delete the folder(s) at
boot. This allows deletion before something (usually
explorer.exe) gets its hooks into the file or folder.

People keep recommending utilities of this kind. In all my decades of
using PCs, I've never needed anything of the kind. It makes me wonder
what people are doing these days that gets them into situations where
they (think they) need them.

Usually, if a file resists being deleted, it's because it's in use by
another program. All you have to do is get that program to release the
file, and that will be the end of it.

Sometimes a file resists deletion because it has an illegal character
in its name. That's a rare situation to get into, but even then there
are ways to delete it with tools included with Windows.

 

[mick]

Download and install a utility such as Eraser, MoveOnBoot,
LockHunter, or similar. Then use it to delete the folder(s) at
boot. This allows deletion before something (usually
explorer.exe) gets its hooks into the file or folder.

People keep recommending utilities of this kind. In all my decades of
using PCs, I've never needed anything of the kind. It makes me wonder
what people are doing these days that gets them into situations where
they (think they) need them.

Usually, if a file resists being deleted, it's because it's in use by
another program. All you have to do is get that program to release the
file, and that will be the end of it.

Sometimes a file resists deletion because it has an illegal character
in its name. That's a rare situation to get into, but even then there
are ways to delete it with tools included with Windows.[/QUOTE]

Windows Vista 32bit (with UAC permently turned off) was the worst
culprit for 'locking folders'
If you made a 'new folder' in My Documents the added sub folders with
files in those folders then everything was ok.
If you then tried to delete the 'new folder' with the sub folders and
files intact within it, then access would be denied. The only way to
delete was files first, then the sub folders, which left the 'new
folder' locked and undeletable. The only way to rid the system of this
folder was to use a utility (I used Unlocker, nothing in windows would
do it) to mark it, then the folder was gone on the next reboot. This
locking only happened very rarely but was a pain when it did, it never
happened with Win95/98, XP and so far not with Win7. I believe when
searching Google at the time, that there were many people having the
same problem.

 

[Nil]

Windows Vista 32bit (with UAC permently turned off) was the worst
culprit for 'locking folders'
If you made a 'new folder' in My Documents the added sub folders
with files in those folders then everything was ok.
If you then tried to delete the 'new folder' with the sub folders
and files intact within it, then access would be denied. The only
way to delete was files first, then the sub folders, which left
the 'new folder' locked and undeletable. The only way to rid the
system of this folder was to use a utility (I used Unlocker,
nothing in windows would do it) to mark it, then the folder was
gone on the next reboot. This locking only happened very rarely
but was a pain when it did, it never happened with Win95/98, XP
and so far not with Win7. I believe when searching Google at the
time, that there were many people having the same problem.

Well, OK, if you say so, and I guess it's a matter of public record. I
can only say that I don't recall it ever happening to me, and if it did
I was able to delete the file or folder without the help of any 3rd-
party utility. Seems to me that the trick in many situations is to Take
Ownership of the file or folder, after which you can do pretty much
anything you want with it.

I have XP, Vista, and Win 7 computers available. I'll try to recreate
you scenario and see if I get the same results.

 

[mick]

Windows Vista 32bit (with UAC permently turned off) was the worst
culprit for 'locking folders'
If you made a 'new folder' in My Documents the added sub folders
with files in those folders then everything was ok.
If you then tried to delete the 'new folder' with the sub folders
and files intact within it, then access would be denied. The only
way to delete was files first, then the sub folders, which left
the 'new folder' locked and undeletable. The only way to rid the
system of this folder was to use a utility (I used Unlocker,
nothing in windows would do it) to mark it, then the folder was
gone on the next reboot. This locking only happened very rarely
but was a pain when it did, it never happened with Win95/98, XP
and so far not with Win7. I believe when searching Google at the
time, that there were many people having the same problem.

Well, OK, if you say so, and I guess it's a matter of public record. I
can only say that I don't recall it ever happening to me, and if it did
I was able to delete the file or folder without the help of any 3rd-
party utility. Seems to me that the trick in many situations is to Take
Ownership of the file or folder, after which you can do pretty much
anything you want with it.

I have XP, Vista, and Win 7 computers available. I'll try to recreate
you scenario and see if I get the same results.[/QUOTE]

As I said it happened very rarely.
Could it have been that when trying to delete the 'new folder' it was
indeed assigned to another process, although(at the time)I could not
see that. But on reboot the processes should have given control back,
but it was still locked, hence the need for a 3rd party utility.
And, why only the folder and not any of the files?

 

[The Seabat]

Paul: The path is C:\Users\Seabat\Desktop\Downloads\552518 -
552518 being the folder I'm trying to get rid of. There are two
sub-folders inside that one that won't delete either.

Unk: Tried that route. . .No joy!

Looks like I might have to try one of those 3rd party utilities and
see iffn they will work!

- -
The Seabat

 

[GlowingBlueMist]

Paul: The path is C:\Users\Seabat\Desktop\Downloads\552518 -
552518 being the folder I'm trying to get rid of. There are two
sub-folders inside that one that won't delete either.

Unk: Tried that route. . .No joy!

Looks like I might have to try one of those 3rd party utilities and
see iffn they will work!

- -
The Seabat

Try opening a command window and going to the directory with the
sub-directory you want to delete.

Then try the following command. dir /x or dir *. /x

Along with the normal directory entries you will see a column with the
shortened version of the directory entries (if the normal entry is
longer than 8 characters). The shortened entries have a tilde "~"
symbol in position 7 of the shortened file/directory entry.

Try deleting the folder using the delete command (del) and using the
shortened name.

If a hidden control character is in the file/folder name this may allow
you to delete it. You may need to delete the final sub-folder first and
work your way up to the higher level.

 

[Twayne]

In

Howdy:
Running Win7 H P 64-bit

I have a couple of folders inside a folder on my desktop.
I can't delete them! Every time I try it says that they
aren't there, but they are. I've re-booted, been into
SafeMode and even right clicked and entered
Properties>Security>Edit, etc, etc, etc and gave
permission at one time or another to everyone listed (2).
No joy!

How do I get rid of these pesky folders? There are no
files inside of them, they are empty, save for a couple
of sub-folders. Can't delete the sub-folders either.

Am I going to have to re-install Windows to get rid of
these freakin' things? Thanks for any help.

- -
The Seabat

That depends ... no useful details in your post = no useful answers likely

 

[Char Jackson]

People keep recommending utilities of this kind. In all my decades of
using PCs, I've never needed anything of the kind. It makes me wonder
what people are doing these days that gets them into situations where
they (think they) need them.

Usually, if a file resists being deleted, it's because it's in use by
another program. All you have to do is get that program to release the
file, and that will be the end of it.

Sometimes a file resists deletion because it has an illegal character
in its name. That's a rare situation to get into, but even then there
are ways to delete it with tools included with Windows.

I'm in the same boat with you. I've been using personal computers
since 1982 and Windows since 1991 and I don't remember a single time
I've needed a 3rd party utility to help me delete a file or directory.
Reading this group, you'd think this was a fairly common thing, but
not for me.

 

[The Seabat]

OK, finally got rid of it! Contrary to Twayne's observation, there was
a lot of good help here. I ended up using MoveOnBoot to get rid of it.
Worked like a charm.

Unlocker did not even want to install properly!

Eraser and LockHunter both said that everything was fine and that the
folder(s) were not locked, but still wouldn't let me delete them.

RED didn't even come close to being what I needed.

MoveOnBoot worked! Just ran the wizard, selected the folder, re-booted
and 'yahoo' it was gone.

I still wish I knew what had screwed with that folder to cause this
much grief? Just glad it's gone. Thank you all for the help. Mucho
appreciated.

 

[mick]

OK, finally got rid of it! Contrary to Twayne's observation, there was
a lot of good help here. I ended up using MoveOnBoot to get rid of it.
Worked like a charm.

Unlocker did not even want to install properly!

Eraser and LockHunter both said that everything was fine and that the
folder(s) were not locked, but still wouldn't let me delete them.

RED didn't even come close to being what I needed.

MoveOnBoot worked! Just ran the wizard, selected the folder, re-booted
and 'yahoo' it was gone.

I still wish I knew what had screwed with that folder to cause this
much grief? Just glad it's gone. Thank you all for the help. Mucho
appreciated.
[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the feedback, we rarely get that these days. Glad you have
fixed the problem.
I am using win7 64bit so if I encounter the same problem at least I
know where to start and what with, without wasting a lot of time and
effort to solve it.