Cannot clear bloated Recent Folder

[bill]

Windows XP Pro.

In my own folder under 'Documents and Settings" is a folder named 'Recent'
It is full of rubbish, i.e. folders I have never heard of and the size of
the Recent folder shows 244GB which is ridiculous as my drive is only
18gigg! Some of the dates are way in the future and I just can not get rid
of the folders.

Any ideas please!!

 

[Bob I]

Do you have a backup of all you consider important? Sounds like you
will want to run chkdsk against that drive. R-click the drive Icon,
Properties, Tools, Error checking.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Start | Run | Type: recent | Click OK |
Hit Ctrl + A to select every file and folder |
Hit your Delete key | Click Yes to the prompt

UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and anti-spyware
software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode can
be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal themselves
in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode can prevent those
applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses or other malware
allowing for easier removal.

''In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers
(mouse, monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system
services), just the minimum device drivers required to start Windows.''

Because of that some malware does not load in Safe Mode and is easier to get
rid of.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In