Delete Stubborn Directory

[JGreg7]

On a removable disk, I have a mystery directory named
"434e8e648ab78a9cad16554b", that has about 36Mb of what appears to be
installation files.
Since this is a removable drive, I am assuming that the files and directory
are not longer needed, hoever I can not delete the directory.
I selecte the directory, click delete, and nothing happens! No dialog, no
delete, no nothing. It is just as if I never di anything.

Any ideas on how to remove the stubborn directory?

 

[Rich Barry]

Did you try opening the Directory and deleting all the files. Then try
deleting the Dir. If no worky, try below
http://www.geckoandfly.com/2009/03/...le-files-and-folders-in-windows-xp-and-vista/

 

[Tim Meddick]

Try "safely removing" the drive - then replace it again.

The first thing to do, after you replace the drive, is open Windows Explorer and
navigate to the folder and delete it...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[DonElston]

Similar problem here. It may be READ ONLY. Open properties of the folder
and reset it. You also may have to go to each sub if there is one. I have
two files that are 0mb that cannot be removed.

 

[Jose]

Similar problem here.  It may be READ ONLY.  Open properties of the folder
and reset it.  You also may have to go to each sub if there is one.  I have
two files that are 0mb that cannot be removed.

So far, unlocker seems to have the most success (after checking
obvious things).

One of the following should do it, depends on your circumstances.

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

http://www.purgeie.com/delinv/

 

[Tim Slattery]

Similar problem here. It may be READ ONLY. Open properties of the folder
and reset it.

NO, NO. Folders do not have the "Read-only" property.

What you see in the folder's property page is a shortcut allowing you
to set or clear the read-only property for all files in the folder.
It's a three-state box that's originally set to its neutral state,
neither set nor unset. Click it several times and you see it switch to
cleared, checked, then back to neutral.

 

[JGreg7]

I tried the UnlockMe, as well as the other suggestions, but it did not work.
There is a directorty called "update", that cannot be deleted giving the
error message "Access is denied". I also cannot access this directory.
I was able to delete the files except the update directory.
Again, this is a removable drive, and the problem is the same using another
computer.
Any ideas?

 

[Jim]

I tried the UnlockMe, as well as the other suggestions, but it did not work.
There is a directorty called "update", that cannot be deleted giving the
error message "Access is denied". I also cannot access this directory.
I was able to delete the files except the update directory.
Again, this is a removable drive, and the problem is the same using another
computer.
Any ideas?

 

[JGreg7]

The post was blank. Please try again. Thank you

 

[Jose]

On a removable disk, I have a mystery directory named
"434e8e648ab78a9cad16554b", that has about 36Mb of what appears to be
installation files.  
Since this is a removable drive, I am assuming that the files and directory
are not longer needed, hoever I can not delete the directory.
I selecte the directory, click delete, and nothing happens! No dialog, no
delete, no nothing.  It is just as if I never di anything.

Any ideas on how to remove the stubborn directory?

When Windows installs things, it tends to create temp files on the
drive with the most disk space - would that be your removable disk?

Windows would like to remove them on the next reboot but for known
reasons (especially external HDD media) it can't.

Boot normally as an administrator and take ownership of the folder/
files as outlined here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

If you cannot delete them after that, renaming the subfolders and then
the folders will usually work once you have ownership. Being able to
rename is important so if that doesn't work, back up.

Depending on your situation, you may have to tinker with the ownership
(like remove users) and work some reboots in there as you go.

 

[Jim]

Move it to another drive and then delete ? I use Xplorer2 , I just
drag and drop to another drive and delete ( if I need to ) .

 

[3c273]

If all else fails, copy any files that you need from the removable drive to
your hard drive and then format the removable drive and copy your files
back.
Louis

 

[JGreg7]

Jose, that worked. Thank you very much!

When Windows installs things, it tends to create temp files on the
drive with the most disk space - would that be your removable disk?

Windows would like to remove them on the next reboot but for known
reasons (especially external HDD media) it can't.

Boot normally as an administrator and take ownership of the folder/
files as outlined here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

If you cannot delete them after that, renaming the subfolders and then
the folders will usually work once you have ownership. Being able to
rename is important so if that doesn't work, back up.

Depending on your situation, you may have to tinker with the ownership
(like remove users) and work some reboots in there as you go.