Pesky folders can't be deleted.

Hi, I'm new to these forums and this is my first post.

I have an XP machine with and external USB drive connected to it. I store all my pictures and music on this drive, along with a backup image I use to restore XP. (Nothing else.)

For some reason there were 2 folders created on this disk. Why that is, I do not know. But the names of the folders are similar to 'e001cb768bd6778690' and each one has a sub-folder called 'update.'

Windows will not let me access these folders, let alone delete them. I downloaded a program called 'Unlocker' and it could not unlock or delete the folders even on a reboot. It reports they are being locked by Explorer.exe.

I was wondering if anyone knows why these 2 folders were mysteriously created on this drive and maybe a better piece of software to try to delete them with.

System restore is off for all drives.

Thanks for any help in this matter.

Paul

 

Welcome Paul!

Try booting to Safe Mode and deleting them. If no joy, while still in Safe Mode, run Task manager and perform an End Process on Explorer.exe. Then open a command window and delete the folders from there.

You could also do this task easier with BartPE boot disk.

 

Hey, thanks for the speedy response. I forgot to mention that I did try safe mode with no luck. Also, I've been meaning to try the whole BartPE thing for a long time now - just never got around to it.

I really didn't want to, but I offloaded all the files from the USB drive and reformatted it in "My Computer ". Funny how XP wouldn't let me touch the folders but had no problem wiping them out by formatting.

Thanks again for your help. All is well again.

Paul

 

That's another way Paul! The format command definitely has the juice!

When you get a chance, I recommend that you build a BartPE boot CD for those times when the XP NTFS file system gives you difficulties.

All the best.