How do I delete this "mystery file?"

[Greg Edwards]

I have a mystery file in my Personal folder in Windows Vista, and it's
driving me nuts. The file just displays a blank paper icon with no name (see
http://tinyurl.com/ywej72 for reference).

I can't delete it, and when I attempt to view its properties, a blank
Properties window is displayed (see http://tinyurl.com/2gq6oy for reference),
so there's no way to view or change security permissions for the file.

I'm sure it's a corrupt file stub (Defender and Trend OfficeScan don't seem
concerned about it), but I'd just like to get rid of it.

Does anyone have an idea how I might remove it (perhaps a registry hack)?

Thanks!

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Greg.

Well, there's always the brute force method: using MS-DOS-type commands in
a Command Prompt window.

In a CP window, use the ancient Dir command from days before Directories
became Folders. Add some switches to make it produce the kind of
information you need. (As usual in a CP window, type the command followed
by /? (Dir /?) to see a mini-Help file listing the parameters and switches
available with that command.) Then use the Del command.

Your TinyUrl link did not show the name of the folder the mystery file is
in, so I'll use C:\Mystery in my example. (It might actually be
C:\Users\Greg.) At the C:\> prompt, enter this command:
dir c:\mystery /x

This should produce a normal Directory listing with one additional column
showing the 8.3 filename for each file, including your mystery file. Even
if a file has a name with no printable characters, it must have a filename
of at least 1 ASCII character, and dir /x should show that filename. Then
delete that filename.

If some glitch on the hard drive has actually produced a file with no name,
then there's one final trick in the book. Create a new folder and move
everything else from C:\Mystery to that new folder, leaving ONLY that one
no-name file in the old folder. Then Remove (not Delete) the old folder
with the command: RD C:\Mystery /s. Finally, rename that new folder to
C:\Mystery.

If this did not work, please post back with a step-by-step narration of
exactly what you did and what results you saw, including the verbatim text
of any error messages. Simply "I tried it" doesn't tell us much, and
neither does "Didn't work."

And also please let us know if it did work.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)

 

[Greg Edwards]

RC,

Thanks for your detailed tips. Regarding your first tip, I tried opening a
command window and using the dir command to get a directory listing (I also
checked for hidden files using the /a h switch), but the file isn't listed
there.

Regarding your second tip, I'm a little hesistant to try deleting the
folder, since it's my Windows "user" folder (C:\users\edwgre). I'm afraid
deleting and recreating the folder in a command window might break something
else.

But you raise a good point. If I back up my files, log on to the workstation
as a different user, delete my local user account and user folder, and the
log back on as myself, the folder should be recreated from my domain account.
I'll give it a try and let you know how it works.

If anyone else as any other ideas in the meantime, please let me know. Thanks!

- Greg

 

[Keith Miller \(MVP\)]

Try:

dir /a

perhaps you have an orphaned junction point (not sure if that can happen)


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]

RC,

Thanks for your detailed tips. Regarding your first tip, I tried opening a
command window and using the dir command to get a directory listing (I
also
checked for hidden files using the /a h switch), but the file isn't listed
there.

Regarding your second tip, I'm a little hesistant to try deleting the
folder, since it's my Windows "user" folder (C:\users\edwgre). I'm afraid
deleting and recreating the folder in a command window might break
something
else.

But you raise a good point. If I back up my files, log on to the
workstation
as a different user, delete my local user account and user folder, and the
log back on as myself, the folder should be recreated from my domain
account.
I'll give it a try and let you know how it works.

If anyone else as any other ideas in the meantime, please let me know.
Thanks!

- Greg

 

[Keith Miller \(MVP\)]

From your screenshot, it looks like it's showing up in the navigation pane
of Explorer like a folder would, is that correct?

Pay attention to the folder paths in the navigation pane & see if it appears
under both:

Desktop\<UserName>\

and:

Desktop\Computer\C:\Users\<UserName>\

If it only appears in the desktop folder, it could be an errant namespace
entry. Check the registry under this key:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\UsersFiles\NameSpace]

It should only have the following:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\UsersFiles\NameSpace]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\UsersFiles\NameSpace\DelegateFolders]
"StorageDelegate"="{DFFACDC5-679F-4156-8947-C5C76BC0B67F}"
"StorageDelegateSuppressionPolicy"="{92803FB4-7706-4035-ACD7-F63E069D3697}"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\UsersFiles\NameSpace\DelegateFolders\{DFFACDC5-679F-4156-8947-C5C76BC0B67F}]
@="Profile delegate folder"

 

[Greg Edwards]

Here's what I get. I'm not familiar with how a <JUNCTION> works in the
Windows file system, but I'm assuming it's like a shortcut.

C:\Users\edwgre>dir/a
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is A6CD-CBF3

Directory of C:\Users\edwgre

02/13/2008 08:50 AM <DIR> .
02/13/2008 08:50 AM <DIR> ..
04/05/2007 09:24 AM <DIR> AppData
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Application Data
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Cookies
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies]
02/13/2008 12:07 PM <DIR> Desktop
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Local Settings
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Local]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> My Documents
[C:\Users\edwgre\Documents]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> NetHood
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts]
02/13/2008 12:24 PM 6,553,600 NTUSER.DAT
02/13/2008 12:24 PM 262,144 ntuser.dat.LOG1
10/23/2007 03:40 PM 0 ntuser.dat.LOG2
10/23/2007 03:47 PM 65,536
NTUSER.DAT{3d4e88f1-6a70-11db-b1ba-d64300c9c793}.TM.blf
10/23/2007 03:47 PM 524,288
NTUSER.DAT{3d4e88f1-6a70-11db-b1ba-d64300c9c793}.TMContainer00000000000000000001.regtrans-ms
10/23/2007 03:47 PM 524,288
NTUSER.DAT{3d4e88f1-6a70-11db-b1ba-d64300c9c793}.TMContainer00000000000000000002.regtrans-ms
04/05/2007 09:24 AM 20 ntuser.ini
02/13/2008 08:50 AM 2,310 ntuser.pol
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> PrintHood
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Recent
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent]
10/23/2007 08:45 AM <DIR> Roaming
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> SendTo
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Start Menu
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Templates
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates]
11/28/2007 09:32 AM <DIR> _rpcs
8 File(s) 7,932,186 bytes
16 Dir(s) 38,326,779,904 bytes free
--
- Greg

http://gregsedwards.spaces.live.com

Try:

dir /a

perhaps you have an orphaned junction point (not sure if that can happen)


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]

RC,

Thanks for your detailed tips. Regarding your first tip, I tried opening a
command window and using the dir command to get a directory listing (I
also
checked for hidden files using the /a h switch), but the file isn't listed
there.

Regarding your second tip, I'm a little hesistant to try deleting the
folder, since it's my Windows "user" folder (C:\users\edwgre). I'm afraid
deleting and recreating the folder in a command window might break
something
else.

But you raise a good point. If I back up my files, log on to the
workstation
as a different user, delete my local user account and user folder, and the
log back on as myself, the folder should be recreated from my domain
account.
I'll give it a try and let you know how it works.

If anyone else as any other ideas in the meantime, please let me know.
Thanks!

- Greg

 

[Greg Edwards]

Keith,

Good point. The mystery file normally shows up in the navigation pane and
under my Personal folder on the Start menu, but it is listed in the folder's
contents when I turn on hidden files/folders. It's weird is that it uses a
generic file icon, but it's listed in the navigation pane like a folder.

Concerning your question about whether it's listed I've rerouted all my
"document" folders that would normally be stored in C:\users\<username>,
except for Desktop, to a network share. So c:\users\<username> only lists
Desktop in the navigation pane. The mystery file is not listed in
C:\users\<username>, even when I turn on hidden files/folders.

I checked my registry and everything matches the landmarks you provided.

If it is an errant namespace entry, how can that be removed?

Thanks for your continued assistance.

--
- Greg

http://gregsedwards.spaces.live.com

From your screenshot, it looks like it's showing up in the navigation pane
of Explorer like a folder would, is that correct?

Pay attention to the folder paths in the navigation pane & see if it appears
under both:

Desktop\<UserName>\

and:

Desktop\Computer\C:\Users\<UserName>\

If it only appears in the desktop folder, it could be an errant namespace
entry. Check the registry under this key:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\UsersFiles\NameSpace]

It should only have the following:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\UsersFiles\NameSpace]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\UsersFiles\NameSpace\DelegateFolders]
"StorageDelegate"="{DFFACDC5-679F-4156-8947-C5C76BC0B67F}"
"StorageDelegateSuppressionPolicy"="{92803FB4-7706-4035-ACD7-F63E069D3697}"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\UsersFiles\NameSpace\DelegateFolders\{DFFACDC5-679F-4156-8947-C5C76BC0B67F}]
@="Profile delegate folder"


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Greg.

No. In Vista, a <JUNCTION> is simply a pointer. The name, "Documents and
Settings", is the name of a folder in WinXP that does not exist in Vista.
The Junction simply points to the name of the proper Vista folder, like:
C:\Users\edwgre\Documents. The "edwgre" portion of the pathname, of course,
would be whatever Username is used by the user who owns THAT Documents
folder.

WinXP had a single D&S folder with subfolders for each user. Vista has a
single Users folder with subfolders for each user (plus for Public and
Default), with a Documents folder (and a Pictures folder, a Music folder,
etc.) for each User. And each \User\<username> subfolder is protected from
access by any User except the one currently logged on.

The Junctions are there primarily for use by legacy applications that have
not yet been updated to work with the Vista scheme. For example, your "My
Documents" Junction tells that legacy app, "If you are coded to look for a
file in "My Documents", look for it instead in "C:\Users\edwgre\Documents".
The other Junctions are interpreted similarly. Note that you are seeing all
these Junctions in your C:\Users\edwgre folder, not in C:\, the Root. Also
note that none of the Junctions use even 1 byte of disk space.

Most of Vista looks a lot like WinXP, but there are significant differences
under the hood. Junctions are one of the ways that Vista hides those
differences from us in normal use. But, if we open that hood and look under
it, then we see the hidden complexities. And that's some of what you are
seeing with the simple but powerful Dir /a command.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)

Here's what I get. I'm not familiar with how a <JUNCTION> works in the
Windows file system, but I'm assuming it's like a shortcut.

C:\Users\edwgre>dir/a
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is A6CD-CBF3

Directory of C:\Users\edwgre

02/13/2008 08:50 AM <DIR> .
02/13/2008 08:50 AM <DIR> ..
04/05/2007 09:24 AM <DIR> AppData
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Application Data
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Cookies
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies]
02/13/2008 12:07 PM <DIR> Desktop
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Local Settings
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Local]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> My Documents
[C:\Users\edwgre\Documents]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> NetHood
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts]
02/13/2008 12:24 PM 6,553,600 NTUSER.DAT
02/13/2008 12:24 PM 262,144 ntuser.dat.LOG1
10/23/2007 03:40 PM 0 ntuser.dat.LOG2
10/23/2007 03:47 PM 65,536
NTUSER.DAT{3d4e88f1-6a70-11db-b1ba-d64300c9c793}.TM.blf
10/23/2007 03:47 PM 524,288
NTUSER.DAT{3d4e88f1-6a70-11db-b1ba-d64300c9c793}.TMContainer00000000000000000001.regtrans-ms
10/23/2007 03:47 PM 524,288
NTUSER.DAT{3d4e88f1-6a70-11db-b1ba-d64300c9c793}.TMContainer00000000000000000002.regtrans-ms
04/05/2007 09:24 AM 20 ntuser.ini
02/13/2008 08:50 AM 2,310 ntuser.pol
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> PrintHood
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Recent
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent]
10/23/2007 08:45 AM <DIR> Roaming
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> SendTo
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Start Menu
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Templates
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates]
11/28/2007 09:32 AM <DIR> _rpcs
8 File(s) 7,932,186 bytes
16 Dir(s) 38,326,779,904 bytes free

<SNIP>

 

[Keith Miller \(MVP\)]

Not sure if this will fix the problem, but the 'My Documents' junction now
points to a folder that no longer exists (C:\Users\edwgre\Documents).

Open a command prompt window to your user folder and use the following
command:

rd "my documents"

Hope this works 'cause I'm running out of ideas!


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]

Here's what I get. I'm not familiar with how a <JUNCTION> works in the
Windows file system, but I'm assuming it's like a shortcut.

C:\Users\edwgre>dir/a
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is A6CD-CBF3

Directory of C:\Users\edwgre

02/13/2008 08:50 AM <DIR> .
02/13/2008 08:50 AM <DIR> ..
04/05/2007 09:24 AM <DIR> AppData
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Application Data
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Cookies
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies]
02/13/2008 12:07 PM <DIR> Desktop
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Local Settings
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Local]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> My Documents
[C:\Users\edwgre\Documents]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> NetHood
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts]
02/13/2008 12:24 PM 6,553,600 NTUSER.DAT
02/13/2008 12:24 PM 262,144 ntuser.dat.LOG1
10/23/2007 03:40 PM 0 ntuser.dat.LOG2
10/23/2007 03:47 PM 65,536
NTUSER.DAT{3d4e88f1-6a70-11db-b1ba-d64300c9c793}.TM.blf
10/23/2007 03:47 PM 524,288
NTUSER.DAT{3d4e88f1-6a70-11db-b1ba-d64300c9c793}.TMContainer00000000000000000001.regtrans-ms
10/23/2007 03:47 PM 524,288
NTUSER.DAT{3d4e88f1-6a70-11db-b1ba-d64300c9c793}.TMContainer00000000000000000002.regtrans-ms
04/05/2007 09:24 AM 20 ntuser.ini
02/13/2008 08:50 AM 2,310 ntuser.pol
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> PrintHood
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Recent
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent]
10/23/2007 08:45 AM <DIR> Roaming
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> SendTo
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Start Menu
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu]
10/23/2007 03:40 PM <JUNCTION> Templates
[C:\Users\edwgre\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates]
11/28/2007 09:32 AM <DIR> _rpcs
8 File(s) 7,932,186 bytes
16 Dir(s) 38,326,779,904 bytes free
--
- Greg

http://gregsedwards.spaces.live.com

Try:

dir /a

perhaps you have an orphaned junction point (not sure if that can happen)


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]

RC,

Thanks for your detailed tips. Regarding your first tip, I tried
opening a
command window and using the dir command to get a directory listing (I
also
checked for hidden files using the /a h switch), but the file isn't
listed
there.

Regarding your second tip, I'm a little hesistant to try deleting the
folder, since it's my Windows "user" folder (C:\users\edwgre). I'm
afraid
deleting and recreating the folder in a command window might break
something
else.

But you raise a good point. If I back up my files, log on to the
workstation
as a different user, delete my local user account and user folder, and
the
log back on as myself, the folder should be recreated from my domain
account.
I'll give it a try and let you know how it works.

If anyone else as any other ideas in the meantime, please let me know.
Thanks!

- Greg
--
- Greg

http://gregsedwards.spaces.live.com


:

Hi, Greg.

Well, there's always the brute force method: using MS-DOS-type
commands
in
a Command Prompt window.

In a CP window, use the ancient Dir command from days before
Directories
became Folders. Add some switches to make it produce the kind of
information you need. (As usual in a CP window, type the command
followed
by /? (Dir /?) to see a mini-Help file listing the parameters and
switches
available with that command.) Then use the Del command.

Your TinyUrl link did not show the name of the folder the mystery file
is
in, so I'll use C:\Mystery in my example. (It might actually be
C:\Users\Greg.) At the C:\> prompt, enter this command:
dir c:\mystery /x

This should produce a normal Directory listing with one additional
column
showing the 8.3 filename for each file, including your mystery file.
Even
if a file has a name with no printable characters, it must have a
filename
of at least 1 ASCII character, and dir /x should show that filename.
Then
delete that filename.

If some glitch on the hard drive has actually produced a file with no
name,
then there's one final trick in the book. Create a new folder and
move
everything else from C:\Mystery to that new folder, leaving ONLY that
one
no-name file in the old folder. Then Remove (not Delete) the old
folder
with the command: RD C:\Mystery /s. Finally, rename that new folder
to
C:\Mystery.

If this did not work, please post back with a step-by-step narration
of
exactly what you did and what results you saw, including the verbatim
text
of any error messages. Simply "I tried it" doesn't tell us much, and
neither does "Didn't work."

And also please let us know if it did work.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)

"Greg Edwards" <gregsedwards at hotmail.com (no spam, please)> wrote
in
message I have a mystery file in my Personal folder in Windows Vista, and
it's
driving me nuts. The file just displays a blank paper icon with no
name
(see
http://tinyurl.com/ywej72 for reference).

I can't delete it, and when I attempt to view its properties, a
blank
Properties window is displayed (see http://tinyurl.com/2gq6oy for
reference),
so there's no way to view or change security permissions for the
file.

I'm sure it's a corrupt file stub (Defender and Trend OfficeScan
don't
seem
concerned about it), but I'd just like to get rid of it.

Does anyone have an idea how I might remove it (perhaps a registry
hack)?

Thanks!

 

[sambone2007]

Hi, I want to know if there is a way I can delete files that were once on my
computer but that I have deleted. When I search for files that have already
been "deleted" it'll still show me the name and the type of file it is. I
then try to delete this shortcut which is in reality just a name and it tells
me I cannot delete it because it can't be located... I know it can't be
located because I already deleted the real thing but I want to know why it
still shows up when I search it. Hope someone can help...

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Sambone.

How long ago did you delete these files?

Vista's Indexing Service runs only in the background, so as to not interfere
with what we are doing in the foreground. If we keep the computer busy with
foreground tasks all day and then shut it down soon after we finish, it
never gets a chance to update the index. And indexing can take a long time
if we have a lot of files and folders. So those deleted files will continue
to show up until the service has time to complete the re-indexing.

If you leave the computer on and apparently idle through your lunch hour or
overnight, it might have time to finish updating the index. Then search for
those deleted files and see if they are finally gone.

If not, please post back with more details about how long ago the files were
deleted and how active the computer has been since the deletions.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)