Removing empty folder from Control Panel

[Rex D Last]

Mistakenly, I installed SpyWareBot instead of SpyBot. With some difficulty I
managed to remove it but I'm left with an un-named empty folder in Control
Panel which I'm unable to remove. Googling comes up with various solutions
but none has worked. For example, the little freeware program 'Remove Empty
Directories' found lots but doesn't look at Control Panel..

Can anyone help please?

 

[Elmo]

Mistakenly, I installed SpyWareBot instead of SpyBot. With some difficulty I
managed to remove it but I'm left with an un-named empty folder in Control
Panel which I'm unable to remove. Googling comes up with various solutions
but none has worked. For example, the little freeware program 'Remove Empty
Directories' found lots but doesn't look at Control Panel..

Can anyone help please?

Control Panel looks for .cpl files in the System32 folder. So, in
Details view of that folder, click the "Type" header to arrange by file
type, then scroll down to "Control Panel Extensions", look for the
offending file.

hth,

 

[Rex D Last]

Thanks for that - I've looked at all the cpl files and there isn't one that
refers to the blank folder. R clicking gives just 2 options, Open and Create
shortcut but neither works. It's not the end of the world but it's certainly
a challenge!

 

[Elmo]

Thanks for that - I've looked at all the cpl files and there isn't one that
refers to the blank folder. R clicking gives just 2 options, Open and Create
shortcut but neither works. It's not the end of the world but it's certainly
a challenge!

Do a search of the hard drive for *.cpl files. Look at the Properties
of each one. Set to look for hidden files and folders.

 

[Rex D Last]

Thanks Joe - I'd thought of doing that - no joy!

 

[Elmo]

Thanks Joe - I'd thought of doing that - no joy!

OK, then look through regedit for the name of the applet.

Export the key, or back up the registry before editing.

If you're not sure what, or how much to delete, you might ask here
before actually committing.

 

[Rex D Last]

Thanks, again, Joe. I had already tried that looking for 'spy' and
'spyware' but I only found legitimate entries. I can't think what else to
search for. I did think of re-installing/uninstalling the awful program.
However the problem only arose from its unsatisfactory uninstall so I could
see myself doubling the problem instead. I suppose I could do a reg restore
afterwards if that happened - any comments?

 

[Elmo]

Thanks, again, Joe. I had already tried that looking for 'spy' and
'spyware' but I only found legitimate entries. I can't think what else to
search for. I did think of re-installing/uninstalling the awful program.
However the problem only arose from its unsatisfactory uninstall so I could
see myself doubling the problem instead. I suppose I could do a reg restore
afterwards if that happened - any comments?

How about a System Restore to a date before the failed install, if you
have one that works..

 

[Rex D Last]

Thanks Joe. Job done!! I found guidance at
http://windowsxp.mvps.prg/cpicon.htm. This wasn't the whole answer but I
found the offending entry in 'namespace', deleted it and the folder has
gone.

Many thanks, again, for your help and advice over the past few days