Cannot delete folder from Start Menu, tried everything ...

[David Winter]

I just installed a game ("Tron" from Buena Vista Interactive), and I
would now like to remove the "Buena Vista Interactive" folder from the
Start Menu after I have moved all its contents somewhere else.

Well, I can't. The folder is shown in the Start Menu, but I cannot get
a (right-click) context menu for it. Opening it in Windows Explorer
shows it is empty (*Yes*, I have set my system to display hidden and
system files), yet I cannot rename or delete the folder.

When trying to copy something to it or change folder properties,
Windows says it cannot be found. Yet it is on the Start Menu.

I also terminated all unnecessary background tasks to ensure it is not
some odd "Helper" application that automatically restores or refers to
this folder.

I also tried to delete the folder in Safe Mode - no success. Also,
there is no reference to it in the Registry.

I found several posts suggesting to move to the folder with a command
prompt, terminate Explorer and then delete the folder, but again: A DIR
command will show the folder, but any other command just says it cannot
be found.

Any help on how to get rid of this Zombie folder would be appreciated.

 

[Malke]

I just installed a game ("Tron" from Buena Vista Interactive), and I
would now like to remove the "Buena Vista Interactive" folder from the
Start Menu after I have moved all its contents somewhere else.

Well, I can't. The folder is shown in the Start Menu, but I cannot get
a (right-click) context menu for it. Opening it in Windows Explorer
shows it is empty (*Yes*, I have set my system to display hidden and
system files), yet I cannot rename or delete the folder.

When trying to copy something to it or change folder properties,
Windows says it cannot be found. Yet it is on the Start Menu.

I also terminated all unnecessary background tasks to ensure it is not
some odd "Helper" application that automatically restores or refers to
this folder.

I also tried to delete the folder in Safe Mode - no success. Also,
there is no reference to it in the Registry.

I found several posts suggesting to move to the folder with a command
prompt, terminate Explorer and then delete the folder, but again: A
DIR command will show the folder, but any other command just says it
cannot be found.

Any help on how to get rid of this Zombie folder would be appreciated.

Reinstall the program and then remove the entry in the Start Menu.

Malke

 

[Malke]

I just installed a game ("Tron" from Buena Vista Interactive), and I
would now like to remove the "Buena Vista Interactive" folder from the
Start Menu after I have moved all its contents somewhere else.

Well, I can't. The folder is shown in the Start Menu, but I cannot get
a (right-click) context menu for it. Opening it in Windows Explorer
shows it is empty (*Yes*, I have set my system to display hidden and
system files), yet I cannot rename or delete the folder.

When trying to copy something to it or change folder properties,
Windows says it cannot be found. Yet it is on the Start Menu.

I also terminated all unnecessary background tasks to ensure it is not
some odd "Helper" application that automatically restores or refers to
this folder.

I also tried to delete the folder in Safe Mode - no success. Also,
there is no reference to it in the Registry.

I found several posts suggesting to move to the folder with a command
prompt, terminate Explorer and then delete the folder, but again: A
DIR command will show the folder, but any other command just says it
cannot be found.

Any help on how to get rid of this Zombie folder would be appreciated.

Sorry for the double-post but you might also try a System Restore to
before you messed around with the program. Then properly
uninstall/reinstall the program rather than just move its folders to a
new location.

Malke

 

[David Winter]

I did *not* move around the actual program folder - I know better than
to try something like this.

I was explicitly referring to the folder the Installer has created in
the Startup Menu (C:\Documents and Settings\yournamehere\Start Menu\).

I often move, delete and rename folders and links in the Startup Menu.
And it's just that: A folder with links, so removing it should be no
problem.

Any more suggestions?
Someone?
Please?

 

[Malke]

I did *not* move around the actual program folder - I know better than
to try something like this.

I was explicitly referring to the folder the Installer has created in
the Startup Menu (C:\Documents and Settings\yournamehere\Start Menu\).

I often move, delete and rename folders and links in the Startup Menu.
And it's just that: A folder with links, so removing it should be no
problem.

Any more suggestions?
Someone?
Please?

Sorry I misunderstood your original post. No need to get huffy about it.
And there was no way for me to know that you "know better", was there?
I'd still try a System Restore to before you moved the Startup Menu
folder. Perhaps there was a glitch and you chose "Move" instead of
"Copy" and the data got lost. Do the System Restore and then try to put
the folder where you want again. Do it with the "Copy" command and then
go back and "Delete" the unwanted shortcut.

Malke

 

[David Winter]

Sorry I misunderstood your original post.

No need to get huffy about it.

I wasn't/didn't intend to sound like that . I just wanted to
underline that I usually don't mess with my system ...

Regarding your suggestion: I can't do a System Restore as I have
switched it off for various reasons.

I just had hoped that someone could tell me a way to remove the entry
for the obviously non-existent folder from the Start Menu.

So I guess I'll do as you suggested in the first place and re-install
the application, hoping that this makes the folder
accessible/deletable.

 

[Keith Miller]

Can you view it in explorer under either "...\AllUsers\Start Menu" or "...\<username>\Start Menu"? Check the permissions. Take ownership.

Keith