External Drive Has Folders That Can't be Deleted

[Charles Allen]

I have a USB drive with folders that were created by an application but I
have no idea which one. The folders have names like c0650eff91e81c4336. Some
have subfolders which cannot be deleted. When I try to delete them I get the
message "Access Denied". If I try to format the drive I get a message that it
cannot be formatted because some programs are using the drive. However, I'm
not aware of any programs using it. But I'm sure it has to do with these
folders I can't delete.

Is there a way to tell what programs are using these folders?

 

[Jose]

I have a USB drive with folders that were created by an application but I
have no idea which one. The folders have names like c0650eff91e81c4336. Some
have subfolders which cannot be deleted. When I try to delete them I get the
message "Access Denied". If I try to format the drive I get a message that it
cannot be formatted because some programs are using the drive. However, I'm
not aware of any programs using it. But I'm sure it has to do with these
folders I can't delete.

Is there a way to tell what programs are using these folders?

Unlocker is a popular free application for this: http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

They are leftovers from an installation that did not cleanup after
itself. If you look inside there may be other files/folders with
readable contents that will give you a clue to the sloppy application
install.

If you are wary of just removing them, rename them for a while, reboot
and if nothing complains about these strange missing folders, whack
them.

You can uninstall unlocker later if you don't need it, no longer care
for it or the other little niceties it installs on your system (but,
what do you want for nothing).

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I have a USB drive with folders that were created by an application
but I have no idea which one. The folders have names like
c0650eff91e81c4336. Some have subfolders which cannot be deleted.
When I try to delete them I get the message "Access Denied". If I try
to format the drive I get a message that it cannot be formatted
because some programs are using the drive. However, I'm not aware of
any programs using it. But I'm sure it has to do with these folders I
can't delete.

Is there a way to tell what programs are using these folders?

What happens if you connect the drive to another computer and try to format
it there?

 

[Mark Adams]

I have a USB drive with folders that were created by an application but I
have no idea which one. The folders have names like c0650eff91e81c4336. Some
have subfolders which cannot be deleted. When I try to delete them I get the
message "Access Denied". If I try to format the drive I get a message that it
cannot be formatted because some programs are using the drive. However, I'm
not aware of any programs using it. But I'm sure it has to do with these
folders I can't delete.

Is there a way to tell what programs are using these folders?

Turn off System Restore for the USB drive, reboot the computer, then see if
you can delete those files. If they still won't delete, you may have to take
ownership of the files. See:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

 

[Jose]

What happens if you connect the drive to another computer and try to format
it there?

See if... what if... maybe..., turn off system restore, reboot,
connect to another computer if...

Too many ifs.

You asked for a way to tell what programs are using the folders.

The answer to your question is yes, but see if, what if, turn it off,
reboot it, another computer and all that will not answer the question
you asked.

Download unlocker and your question will be answered for sure, and
there will be no mights, maybes or ifs. Uninstall it when you are
done.

It will tell you what is holding the file and give you options to do
something about it.

 

[sandy58]

I have a USB drive with folders that were created by an application but I
have no idea which one. The folders have names like c0650eff91e81c4336. Some
have subfolders which cannot be deleted. When I try to delete them I get the
message "Access Denied". If I try to format the drive I get a message that it
cannot be formatted because some programs are using the drive. However, I'm
not aware of any programs using it. But I'm sure it has to do with these
folders I can't delete.

Is there a way to tell what programs are using these folders?

"update" folders. Mostly empty, some with a few .dll's, none of them
eat anything/anyone so if they don't go away....and YOU can't persuade
them to do so........you just keep them.....you'll soon start to LOVE
'em, little darlin's they are.
PS. You can give them names....but you can't rename them. Right?

 

[Mark Adams]

"update" folders. Mostly empty, some with a few .dll's, none of them
eat anything/anyone so if they don't go away....and YOU can't persuade
them to do so........you just keep them.....you'll soon start to LOVE
'em, little darlin's they are.
PS. You can give them names....but you can't rename them. Right?

I'll have what you're smoking!

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

See if... what if... maybe..., turn off system restore, reboot,
connect to another computer if...

Too many ifs.

You asked for a way to tell what programs are using the folders.

The answer to your question is yes, but see if, what if, turn it off,
reboot it, another computer and all that will not answer the question
you asked.

Download unlocker and your question will be answered for sure, and
there will be no mights, maybes or ifs. Uninstall it when you are
done.

It will tell you what is holding the file and give you options to do
something about it.

Um - I think you meant to reply to the OP, not me.