Removing desktop folders

I am trying to clean up and gain space on a friends computer. As part of this I was trying to remove a couple of folders on the desktop. None of the folders show anything in them (I have view hidden files on) but when I try and delet I get an explorer error which will not clear and have to reboot. The same thing happens when I try this in safe mode. Any suggestions?

 

Hi robwhite,
If you have a Win98 floppy disk to boot the CD, then at the prompt type :
C:\Windows\deltree.exe /Y C:\Windows\Desktop\xxxxx
where xxxxx is the name of the folder.
regards

 

WOW never seen that one before I can't wait to try it. Thanks so very much will let you know how I make out.

 

Deltree lives in the \Command directory, so the command should be

C:\Windows\command\deltree.exe /Y C:\Windows\Desktop\xxxxx

As a BTW, you may want to leave the /Y out. Deltree is a very powerful command, and without the /Y, it will ask for confirmation. You can then check that the directory names entered are in fact correct.

 

Hi WhitPhil,
Always seem to forget something nowadays ... thanks for the correction.
What made me forgetful is that I took deltree out of command as there
was a spate of hackers apparently using it. So I renamed it and put it somewhere else.
And then I forgot where it came from
regards
PS Note that xxxxx must be the DOS folder name 8 characters max
and no spaces.
You can see the DOS folder names at the command prompt :
type ....
Dir C:\Windows\desktop /p
but maybe Whitphil will check this for me also

 

The DIR should work ok. I also think (running XP these days), that if you select the file from Explorer, right mouse, properties the Dos Short name is shown?

I did the same thing with deltree. Renamed it, but just left it in \Command.

 

No - eg look at My Documents - DOS name = mydocu~1
regards

 

No? (or did I misunderstand)

The DOS shortname IS being shown!

mydocu~1

 

Well WhitPhil, that's new to me on this 98SE box - but I use Powerdesk
Explorer and not Windows Explorer directly - so that's maybe the difference
with the display - I have never seen a Window's app show the real DOS
File/Folder name. Anyway this is off topic and we should wait for
RobWhite's progress post.
regards

 

Well, not really off topic. It you can find the DOS shortname from Explorer, it's easier than via DOS.

Why not just double click on Explorer and see if my memory is right or not.

(or maybe someone else running Win98 can confirm?)

 

One of my machines at home is running w98se in that if you right click in explorer oon a folder it will, in the properties, give the dos name.

 

Thanks for the confirmation Rob.

BTW have you managed to delete the desktop folder?

 

Well you are both correct about the DOS name showing on a Windows
Explorer/Right click/Properties.
I thought you were saying the DOS name showed on the main Explorer window, as you did not mention the Right Click/Properties actions.
regards

 

Must be that invisible font that I've been using? lol

 

Sorry WhitPhil - it's time I went to bed this week - thanks for your patience -
and keep posting your Xcellent help.
regrads

 

Well it was interesting. I tried all of the above and noting worked. I was really amazed when deltree told me that it could not find the file. delete just did noting both in a cold start up from a dos disk. Finally just did a full format and reinstalled. Did a scandisk before the format and it had some problems also so think there had been some base problems in the fat or something. But up and going now thanks for the suggestions I will try that deltree elsewhere, seems like a great tool.