Curse

Eric Lee · Oct 04, 2008, 09:57 PM // 21:57

Hi,
I've got a problem deleting an empty folder.

I'm using Vista SP1
The folder is sitting in C:\Users\Root\
It was created by an executable file during an installation process. The installation crashed and after I rebooted everything was okay except for the folder.

First I tried right click > delete.
I get a message that the element is missing. It says that it's no longer in C:\Users\Root\ and I should check the path.

I booted in safe-mode and tired deleting it : Same.
I tried renaming it : Same.
I tried deleting it via cmd.exe [rmdir, rd, replace, erase, del] (in normal and safe-mode): "File not found" or some message that I need admin rights -.- (I have admin rights)
I tried searching the registry manually : Didn't find the folder.
I ran scans with various registry and hd cleaners (wise, ccleaner, reg mechanic) hoping that they'd delete fragments that caused the folder still being there : No result.
I tried "Unlocker" : It said that the file couldn't be accessed and it would be removed on reboot...well, it's still there..

When I move an object into the folder via drag&drop (I can't open the folder) another folder with the same name is created which then contains the file I moved. Both folders then have the same size AND creation date BUT don't have the same 'last changed date' (don't know how that's really called since my setup isn't english -.-).

When I have those two folders with the same name and same location and I try to delete them both the new folder gets deleted and the 'old' folder still remains the same (with 0kb size since the file I moved gets deleted too).

Any suggestions on how to get rid of that folder? Thx in advance

Tarun · Oct 05, 2008, 01:12 AM // 01:12

What exactly is the folder? Can you provide more information on it?

Elder III · Oct 05, 2008, 02:18 AM // 02:18

Are you logged in with Administrator access?

As Tarun said, more info would be helpful....

DarkFlame · Oct 05, 2008, 03:02 AM // 03:02

Windows Installer Cleanup?

Not sure if it works on Vista though. More info would also be great. Don't want to go mucking around in things you shouldn't be mucking around in.

kvndoom · Oct 16, 2008, 11:45 PM // 23:45

dunno how it works in Vista, but to kill it in XP, you have to close explorer.exe from Task Manager, then delete the file from a command prompt. This is because the broken file is "hooked" to the Explorer shell.

XP Process
Say I have a bad download and the broken file on my desktop is willworkforsex.exe.

To get rid of it, first I open Task Manager
From Task Manager, right click "explorer.exe" and choose "End Process"
your taskbar, desktop, everything but Task Manager will disappear
In Task Manager click File > New Task (Run)
type "cmd" in the box that opens. This will open a DOS prompt
in the DOS window type "cd desktop" and press Enter.
type "del willworkforsex.exe" and press Enter. The file will delete because the explorer process is stopped, so the file is no longer hooked
go back to Task Manager, click File > New Task (Run) again, and this time type "explorer"
your desktop will be restored, and the file will be gone.

Now, if you can figure how to apply the above steps to Vista (sorry, I have zero Vista experience), then you can probably get rid of the broken file. Hope this helps.