Windows allows the creation of file names and folder names that can
not be deleted or renamed via Windows Explorer.
This includes names with invalid characters and names that are too
long.
Is this true?
Windows allows the creation of file names and folder names that can
not be deleted or renamed via Windows Explorer.
This includes names with invalid characters and names that are too
long.
The current version of PATH TOO DEEP Fixer includes a function to scan
for invalid names and too-long names.
If you would have provided an example, there might be better or more
details about how to delete these things.
However, it made me think of this and these notes about what some
people notice on their systems regarding peculiar looking folders
appearing that are stubborn to delete and are not understood:
When some programs (including Windows programs) installs things, it
may create a temporary folder consisting of 20-30 random letters and
numbers in the root drive of the volume with the most free space.
This explains why sometimes the folders are on your C drive or on some
other drive - which one has the most free space?
For example you may see a folder similar to or called:
D:\9470bb12e8a4f3447657236478e41c5
There may be other folders and files under that main temporary
folder.
These should normally be removed when the installation is complete,
but sometimes they are not - especially if the installation fails.
They are harmless but annoying. You may think something is wrong when
there is not or be afraid the files are really needed. To avoid
confusion you can delete the temporary folders.
If your installation failed or the installation does not delete the
randomly named folder when it cleans up, running the installation
again to try to get rid of the folder will make another randomly named
folder.
You may be able to identify the installation (for curiosity) by
looking at some of the folder contents and decide if that installation
was okay, just delete the files/folders. If the installation did not
work properly for some reason, running the installation again will
just create a new randomly named temporary folder so the old temporary
folder is really of no use.
Sometimes the folders are stubborn to delete. Even if you are an
Administrator on the system you may get a "sharing violation", "access
denied", "being used" or similar type message when trying to remove
the temporary folders. Installations sometimes use different
permissions than a regular user with Administrator group might have.
There are many methods to try to remove the folders and some involve
third party programs to install or changing certain Windows settings
that may compromise your system security if you don't change them back
when you are done.
Booting your system in Safe Mode (pressing the F8 key repeatedly right
before XP tries to load) is a good method to use to try and and remove
the folders since it doesn't involve making any changes to your system
configuration or downloading any third party programs.
If Safe Mode does not work you can change the security of the folder
when booting in Normal Mode to give your user Full Control over the
folders by browsing to it in Explorer, click Tools, Folder Options,
View and in the Advanced settings window, uncheck (at the very bottom
of the list) Use simple file sharing (Recommended), and click OK.
This turns off the recommended simple file sharing on your computer so
you will want to turn it back on when you are finished doing whatever
you are doing.
Right click the folder(s) of interest, Properties and click the now
visible Security tab. Alter the Properties however you need to (for
example, Select your user name and check the box to allow Full
Control), click OK to apply the changes.
With the Use simple file sharing enabled (Recommended) box checked the
folder Properties tabs are:
General, Sharing, Customize
With the Use simple file sharing disabled (Recommended) box UNchecked,
the folder Properties tabs are:
General, Security, Customize
Now try to manipulate/delete the folder.
The method for XP Home is a little different.
It is a good idea to go back into Explorer any other settings you
changed and put the check back in the box for Use simple file sharing
(Recommended) when you have finished doing whatever you are doing.
If none of the above work, try a popular third party tool called
Unlocker.
Unlocker can be download from here:
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
Unlocker can be uninstalled when you are finished using it.
Reboot when you are finished to be sure the annoying folders are
really gone.