Removing hidden files from hard disk

  • Thread starter Thread starter Martin R. Howell
  • Start date Start date
M

Martin R. Howell

I ran Disk Investigator and found several things on my computer's hard
drive that I want to remove. Is there a freeware or shareware program that
will selectively remove these entries?
 
Hi Martin - From my Blog, Defending Your Machine, addy in Signature below:


"Sometimes the tools below will find files which they are unable to delete
because they are in use.

A program called Copylock, here, http://noeld.com/programs.asp?cat=misc can
aid in the process of "replacing, moving, renaming or deleting one or many
files which are currently in use (e.g. system files like comctl32.dll, or
virus/trojan files.)"

Another is Killbox, here: http://www.downloads.subratam.org/KillBox.zip

A third which is a bit different but often very useful is Delete Invalid
File, here: http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm which handles invalid/UNC
file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use problem.

A fourth useful program is Unlocker, here:
..http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ " Simply right click the folder or file
and select Unlocker. If the folder or file is locked, a window listing of
lockers will appear. Simply select the lockers and click Unlock and you are
done!" Works as advertised and is particularly helpful in identifying
malware components which are 'protecting' each other."
 
Hi Martin - From my Blog, Defending Your Machine, addy in Signature below:


"Sometimes the tools below will find files which they are unable to delete
because they are in use.

A program called Copylock, here, http://noeld.com/programs.asp?cat=misc can
aid in the process of "replacing, moving, renaming or deleting one or many
files which are currently in use (e.g. system files like comctl32.dll, or
virus/trojan files.)"

Another is Killbox, here: http://www.downloads.subratam.org/KillBox.zip

A third which is a bit different but often very useful is Delete Invalid
File, here: http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm which handles invalid/UNC
file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use problem.

A fourth useful program is Unlocker, here:
.http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ " Simply right click the folder or file
and select Unlocker. If the folder or file is locked, a window listing of
lockers will appear. Simply select the lockers and click Unlock and you are
done!" Works as advertised and is particularly helpful in identifying
malware components which are 'protecting' each other."
Click to expand...

Hi,

The items I wish to delete are the records kept on the hard disk which do
not show up as "files" on any regular search. Disk Investigator shows
their cluster and sector numbers and the names but not path. Any ideas?

--Martin
 
Hi Martin - Well, a disk editor, of course - but . . . very dangerous
unless you _really_ know what you're doing. My only other thought is to
re-invoke the program that originally put them there, if possible, if it
also has the capability to remove them.
 
The items I wish to delete are the records kept on the hard disk which do
not show up as "files" on any regular search. Disk Investigator shows
their cluster and sector numbers and the names but not path. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

ISTM, you're talking about removing of deleted files. These are the
'hidden' ones showing up in disk investigator. There is nothing about
files attributed as hidden/system by the file system or such things
as Ntfs streams. (As one might conclude from your question.)

So you'll need a free/slack space wiper like Eraser:

www.tolvanen.com/eraser

If I'm wrong you need to tell a bit more details about your needs. ;-)

BeAr
 
On Sun 28 Aug 2005 02:37:39, Jim Byrd wrote:
"Sometimes the tools below will find files which they are unable
to delete because they are in use.

A program called Copylock, here,
http://noeld.com/programs.asp?cat=misc can aid in the process of
"replacing, moving, renaming or deleting one or many files which
are currently in use (e.g. system files like comctl32.dll, or
virus/trojan files.)"

Another is Killbox, here:
http://www.downloads.subratam.org/KillBox.zip

A third which is a bit different but often very useful is Delete
Invalid File, here: http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm which
handles invalid/UNC file/folder name deleting, rather than the
in use problem.

A fourth useful program is Unlocker, here:
.http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ " Simply right click the
folder or file and select Unlocker. If the folder or file is
locked, a window listing of lockers will appear. Simply select
the lockers and click Unlock and you are done!" Works as
advertised and is particularly helpful in identifying malware
components which are 'protecting' each other."
Click to expand...

I know "Delete Invalid File" (your number three) and "Unlocker" four
and they are both excellent.

Delete Invalid File was the only thing which managed to chift a
really sticky file I had.

I have Unlocker installed and use it surprisingly frequently.
 
Back
Top