Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help!

claycad · 07-22-2008, 03:39 PM

Okay, I just created a new folder on my desktop. I didn't name it, and just let it default to "New Folder". I cut some data off of a flash drive and pasted it into the new folder. After it pasted I checked and it wasn't in the folder I just pasted it into. I right clicked to just paste it on the desktop, but the paste option was now unselectable and the data was gone from my flash drive. I searched windows for some of the files I cut and pasted to make sure I didn't accidentally paste them somewhere else (which I thought was unlikely to begin with) Nope, didn't find them, so now I'm out the data - luckily it wasn't too important.

Now the annoying problem. I can't delete or rename the folder. I right click, delete and it asks if I'm sure. I say yes then it says "Destination Folder Access Denied". Yes, I have administrator privileges, it doesn't do this with any other file or folder that I have deleted before. It asks to "Continue, Skip or Cancel" I continue and it says "windows needs your permission to continue" I say OK. Again, it says "Destination Folder Access Denied - Try Again or Cancel" I try again and again and again many times. Same thing. It won't delete. The same thing happens if I try to rename it, cut or copy and paste somewhere else, or drag and drop somewhere else.

I restarted. Doing the same thing. I've tried a program called unlocker to force delete it. Doesn't work. I've created several new files and folders on my desktop and they all have deleted fine.

Under the attributes it says "Read-only (Only applies to files in folder)" I deselect the read only box hit apply and try to delete again. Nothing. All the other folders I've created and deleted had the read only box selected and they still deleted fine.

I've opened the Command Prompt and ran it as administrator. I navigate to my desktop directory and use the "del "New Folder"" command. It asks if I am sure I want to delete it. I type "Y" and hit enter. nothing happens, the folder is still on my desktop.

Why won't this folder delete and why does the data disappear if I cut and paste stuff into it. I've been using Vista for a while now, and this is the weirdest thing I've seen so far.

using Vista Home Premium SP1

**sobeit** · 07-22-2008, 03:49 PM

if the flash drive is still plugged in, unplug it then try deleting the folder. If that does not work, try deleting in safemode

Chief17 · 07-22-2008, 04:55 PM

Try this program

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

It allows you to force delete and unlink any programs/services/processes that are using the file/folder.

Brilliant peice of software

**jcgriff2** · 07-22-2008, 08:46 PM

Hi. . .

Try this:

From an Elevated command prompt:
START | type cmd.exe into start search | right-click | run as admin

Type the following into the "DOS" box - hit enter after each

Code:


c:

cd %userprofile%\desktop

rd "new folder"

If this doesn't work, issue the following commands and paste the output into your next post as we may have to change a file(s) attibutes (to paste, right-click on the very top of DOS box, select edit, then select SelectAll, then right-click on top again, select Edit, then selct Copy - then ctrl-v into your post):

Code:


c:

cd %userprofile%\desktop

dir /a

cd new folder

dir /a

attrib

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

.

claycad · 07-23-2008, 06:02 AM

Okay, I booted in safemode and it deleted without a problem, but...

After I restarted from safemode, I created a new folder on my desktop again to see what it would do. This time I tried to name it something different than "New Folder", but it said access was denied, so I just left it the default name "New Folder". When I try to delete, rename or move it is doing the same thing as before! After I created the first "New Folder" any folder I create after that works normally - I can rename, delete or move it however I want. But the first folder I create on my desktop keeps acting weird. If I go into safemode to delete it then reboot and recreate it, it acts weird again.

Jcgriff2, I did what you said with the command prompt, here are the results:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\system32>cd C:\users\james\desktop

C:\Users\James\Desktop>rd "New Folder"
Access is denied.

C:\Users\James\Desktop>dir /a
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is A62B-7BB6

Directory of C:\Users\James\Desktop

07/23/2008 07:31 AM <DIR> .
07/23/2008 07:31 AM <DIR> ..
07/09/2008 07:20 PM 282 desktop.ini
07/11/2008 09:13 PM 373 Documents - Shortcut.lnk
07/09/2008 08:15 PM 943 Internet Explorer 7.lnk
07/22/2008 05:14 PM <DIR> New Folder
3 File(s) 1,598 bytes
3 Dir(s) 38,711,746,560 bytes free

C:\Users\James\Desktop>cd New Folder

C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder>dir /a
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is A62B-7BB6

Directory of C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder

07/22/2008 05:14 PM <DIR> .
07/22/2008 05:14 PM <DIR> ..
0 File(s) 0 bytes
2 Dir(s) 38,710,681,600 bytes free

C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder>attrib
File not found - C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder\*.*

C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder>

Why would it say there are two directories in the folder when it is empty, even when I have hidden files and folders set to show?

hope it makes more sense to you than it does to me.

Thanks for the help so far everybody!

**jcgriff2** · 07-23-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claycad

Directory of C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder

07/22/2008 05:14 PM <DIR> .
07/22/2008 05:14 PM <DIR> ..
0 File(s) 0 bytes
2 Dir(s) 38,710,681,600 bytes free

Hi James. . .

These entries are found in ALL empty directories - indicating that it is in fact empty. This goes back to the days of DOS. Note that there are no files (0 bytes) - the latter figure 38gb is the amount of free space on your hard drive.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

claycad · 07-24-2008, 05:28 AM

Ahh, okay. What does this mean though?

C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder>attrib
File not found - C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder\*.*

Also, is there anything there that indicates why I wouldn't be able to delete the folder?

**jcgriff2** · 07-24-2008, 08:03 AM

Please run the command from the Elevated command prompt - one that I forgot to include:

Code:

c:

cd %userprofile%\desktop

dir /a 

attrib

Please paste these outputs.

Aplogoies on this one . . .

jcgriff2

claycad · 07-25-2008, 11:40 AM

jcgriff2

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\system32>cd C:\Users\James\Desktop

C:\Users\James\Desktop>dir /a
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is A62B-7BB6

Directory of C:\Users\James\Desktop

07/25/2008 01:32 PM <DIR> .
07/25/2008 01:32 PM <DIR> ..
07/09/2008 07:20 PM 282 desktop.ini
07/11/2008 09:13 PM 373 Documents - Shortcut.lnk
07/09/2008 08:15 PM 943 Internet Explorer 7.lnk
07/23/2008 07:51 AM <DIR> New Folder
3 File(s) 1,598 bytes
3 Dir(s) 30,225,522,688 bytes free

C:\Users\James\Desktop>attrib
A SH C:\Users\James\Desktop\desktop.ini
A C:\Users\James\Desktop\Documents - Shortcut.lnk
A C:\Users\James\Desktop\Internet Explorer 7.lnk

C:\Users\James\Desktop>

There you go, hope it helps. Thanks so much for helping me try to figure this out!

**jcgriff2** · 07-25-2008, 01:43 PM

One more run from an elevated prompt, please... lets see what the attributes are on the files contained within "new folder":

Code:

c:

cd %userprofile%\desktop

cd new folder

dir /a 

attrib

Please paste the output.

Thanks. . .

jcgriff2

claycad · 07-25-2008, 02:28 PM

My whole system is bugging out. I locks up everytime I cut and paste files from one directory to another, I get error messages everytime I burn a DVD now, I don't know what that is all about, it just started a few days ago...anyway I think my best solution would be to reformat the entire thing and do a fresh install of Vista before I end up taking a hammer to it.

I've ran virus and spyware scans. Nothing came back as unusual. I haven't been getting any annoying pop ups or anything. I don't know what the problem is.

Anyway, thanks for all the help you have given me. If I have anymore troubles after the reinstall I'll be back...

**jcgriff2** · 07-25-2008, 02:41 PM

May I ask one last thing before you reformat/reinstall the OS. . . to satisfy my own curiosity and to maybe be of more help to you in the future?

Please run Deckard's System Scanner (DSS), found HERE.

about 1/2 down the page you will see it - save it to your desktop.

Then do the following:

START | type cmd.exe into the start search box | right-click on cmd.exe | select run as admin | the type exactly as it appears below (hit enter after each line):

Code:


c:

cd %userprofile\desktop

dss /config

-check every box
-allow it to install HiJackThis

Let it run... a minute or two should do it.

One notepad will appear - main.txt, another - extra.txt will be minimized. Save them both, zip them up and attach to your next post.

Thanks. . .

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

claycad · 07-28-2008, 07:37 AM

Sorry, I already started the reformatting process before I got this post, then went out of town for the weekend so couldn't respond.

I wish I would have done that, I'd love to know what caused it so I could prevent it from doing it again. I think the reason I couldn't burn DVDs had something to do with nero's InCD program, but I'm not sure. I didn't install InCD this time and they are burning fine after the reformat.

I have no idea what was causing the other problems. I couldn't even transfer my files for backup in regular boot, the PC kept locking up. I finally booted in safe mode then they transfered to my other hard drive fine.

Thanks for all the help you gave me in trying to resolve this problem, I really appreciate it.

**jcgriff2** · 07-28-2008, 11:47 AM

Hi. . .

You are quite welcome for the help.

Re-formatting and the re-install of the OS is one way to solve things (usually my preferred method - but not quite right for everyone).

Either way, I am glad that you are back up and running and have solved the issue.

Should you run into ANY difficulties again, please come back and let us know as soon as possible via a new thread - maybe something can be caught in an early stage.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

.

07-22-2008, 03:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
claycad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: WV Posts: 62 OS: Vista Home Premium	Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help! Okay, I just created a new folder on my desktop. I didn't name it, and just let it default to "New Folder". I cut some data off of a flash drive and pasted it into the new folder. After it pasted I checked and it wasn't in the folder I just pasted it into. I right clicked to just paste it on the desktop, but the paste option was now unselectable and the data was gone from my flash drive. I searched windows for some of the files I cut and pasted to make sure I didn't accidentally paste them somewhere else (which I thought was unlikely to begin with) Nope, didn't find them, so now I'm out the data - luckily it wasn't too important. Now the annoying problem. I can't delete or rename the folder. I right click, delete and it asks if I'm sure. I say yes then it says "Destination Folder Access Denied". Yes, I have administrator privileges, it doesn't do this with any other file or folder that I have deleted before. It asks to "Continue, Skip or Cancel" I continue and it says "windows needs your permission to continue" I say OK. Again, it says "Destination Folder Access Denied - Try Again or Cancel" I try again and again and again many times. Same thing. It won't delete. The same thing happens if I try to rename it, cut or copy and paste somewhere else, or drag and drop somewhere else. I restarted. Doing the same thing. I've tried a program called unlocker to force delete it. Doesn't work. I've created several new files and folders on my desktop and they all have deleted fine. Under the attributes it says "Read-only (Only applies to files in folder)" I deselect the read only box hit apply and try to delete again. Nothing. All the other folders I've created and deleted had the read only box selected and they still deleted fine. I've opened the Command Prompt and ran it as administrator. I navigate to my desktop directory and use the "del "New Folder"" command. It asks if I am sure I want to delete it. I type "Y" and hit enter. nothing happens, the folder is still on my desktop. Why won't this folder delete and why does the data disappear if I cut and paste stuff into it. I've been using Vista for a while now, and this is the weirdest thing I've seen so far. using Vista Home Premium SP1 __________________ AMD 64 X2 6000+ 3.0GHz CPU 3GB PC2 5300 667MHz RAM Seagate Barracuda ES.2 250GB SATA II HDD XFX GeForce 8600GT 256MB PCIe Video Card

07-22-2008, 03:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
sobeit TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 7,433 OS: windows/linux	Re: Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help! if the flash drive is still plugged in, unplug it then try deleting the folder. If that does not work, try deleting in safemode __________________ there's been global warming since the ice age

07-22-2008, 04:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chief17 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: England Posts: 15 OS: VIsta, Fedora, Ubuntu, XP	Re: Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help! Try this program http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/#download It allows you to force delete and unlink any programs/services/processes that are using the file/folder. Brilliant peice of software __________________ Chief17

07-22-2008, 08:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Supp Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Palm Springs, California / Southern New Jersey Posts: 10,054 OS: Windows 7, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help! Hi. . . Try this: From an Elevated command prompt: START \| type cmd.exe into start search \| right-click \| run as admin Type the following into the "DOS" box - hit enter after each Code: c: cd %userprofile%\desktop rd "new folder" If this doesn't work, issue the following commands and paste the output into your next post as we may have to change a file(s) attibutes (to paste, right-click on the very top of DOS box, select edit, then select SelectAll, then right-click on top again, select Edit, then selct Copy - then ctrl-v into your post): Code: c: cd %userprofile%\desktop dir /a cd new folder dir /a attrib Regards. . . jcgriff2 . __________________ . . . . . . . . BSOD Posting Instructions B Expecting a reply and waiting > 36 hours ? Send a PM to me containing a link to your thread My availability will be limited through ~ December 1, 2009

07-23-2008, 06:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
claycad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: WV Posts: 62 OS: Vista Home Premium	Re: Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help! Okay, I booted in safemode and it deleted without a problem, but... After I restarted from safemode, I created a new folder on my desktop again to see what it would do. This time I tried to name it something different than "New Folder", but it said access was denied, so I just left it the default name "New Folder". When I try to delete, rename or move it is doing the same thing as before! After I created the first "New Folder" any folder I create after that works normally - I can rename, delete or move it however I want. But the first folder I create on my desktop keeps acting weird. If I go into safemode to delete it then reboot and recreate it, it acts weird again. Jcgriff2, I did what you said with the command prompt, here are the results: Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001] Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. C:\Windows\system32>cd C:\users\james\desktop C:\Users\James\Desktop>rd "New Folder" Access is denied. C:\Users\James\Desktop>dir /a Volume in drive C has no label. Volume Serial Number is A62B-7BB6 Directory of C:\Users\James\Desktop 07/23/2008 07:31 AM <DIR> . 07/23/2008 07:31 AM <DIR> .. 07/09/2008 07:20 PM 282 desktop.ini 07/11/2008 09:13 PM 373 Documents - Shortcut.lnk 07/09/2008 08:15 PM 943 Internet Explorer 7.lnk 07/22/2008 05:14 PM <DIR> New Folder 3 File(s) 1,598 bytes 3 Dir(s) 38,711,746,560 bytes free C:\Users\James\Desktop>cd New Folder C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder>dir /a Volume in drive C has no label. Volume Serial Number is A62B-7BB6 Directory of C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder 07/22/2008 05:14 PM <DIR> . 07/22/2008 05:14 PM <DIR> .. 0 File(s) 0 bytes 2 Dir(s) 38,710,681,600 bytes free C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder>attrib File not found - C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder\. C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder> Why would it say there are two directories in the folder when it is empty, even when I have hidden files and folders set to show? hope it makes more sense to you than it does to me. Thanks for the help so far everybody! __________________ AMD 64 X2 6000+ 3.0GHz CPU 3GB PC2 5300 667MHz RAM Seagate Barracuda ES.2 250GB SATA II HDD XFX GeForce 8600GT 256MB PCIe Video Card

07-24-2008, 05:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
claycad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: WV Posts: 62 OS: Vista Home Premium	Re: Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help! Ahh, okay. What does this mean though? C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder>attrib File not found - C:\Users\James\Desktop\New Folder\. Also, is there anything there that indicates why I wouldn't be able to delete the folder? __________________ AMD 64 X2 6000+ 3.0GHz CPU 3GB PC2 5300 667MHz RAM Seagate Barracuda ES.2 250GB SATA II HDD XFX GeForce 8600GT 256MB PCIe Video Card

07-24-2008, 08:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Supp Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Palm Springs, California / Southern New Jersey Posts: 10,054 OS: Windows 7, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help! Please run the command from the Elevated command prompt - one that I forgot to include: Code: c: cd %userprofile%\desktop dir /a attrib Please paste these outputs. Aplogoies on this one . . . jcgriff2 __________________ . . . . . . . . BSOD Posting Instructions B Expecting a reply and waiting > 36 hours ? Send a PM to me containing a link to your thread My availability will be limited through ~ December 1, 2009

07-25-2008, 11:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
claycad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: WV Posts: 62 OS: Vista Home Premium	Re: Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help! jcgriff2 Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001] Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. C:\Windows\system32>cd C:\Users\James\Desktop C:\Users\James\Desktop>dir /a Volume in drive C has no label. Volume Serial Number is A62B-7BB6 Directory of C:\Users\James\Desktop 07/25/2008 01:32 PM <DIR> . 07/25/2008 01:32 PM <DIR> .. 07/09/2008 07:20 PM 282 desktop.ini 07/11/2008 09:13 PM 373 Documents - Shortcut.lnk 07/09/2008 08:15 PM 943 Internet Explorer 7.lnk 07/23/2008 07:51 AM <DIR> New Folder 3 File(s) 1,598 bytes 3 Dir(s) 30,225,522,688 bytes free C:\Users\James\Desktop>attrib A SH C:\Users\James\Desktop\desktop.ini A C:\Users\James\Desktop\Documents - Shortcut.lnk A C:\Users\James\Desktop\Internet Explorer 7.lnk C:\Users\James\Desktop> There you go, hope it helps. Thanks so much for helping me try to figure this out! __________________ AMD 64 X2 6000+ 3.0GHz CPU 3GB PC2 5300 667MHz RAM Seagate Barracuda ES.2 250GB SATA II HDD XFX GeForce 8600GT 256MB PCIe Video Card

07-25-2008, 01:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Supp Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Palm Springs, California / Southern New Jersey Posts: 10,054 OS: Windows 7, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help! One more run from an elevated prompt, please... lets see what the attributes are on the files contained within "new folder": Code: c: cd %userprofile%\desktop cd new folder dir /a attrib Please paste the output. Thanks. . . jcgriff2 __________________ . . . . . . . . BSOD Posting Instructions B Expecting a reply and waiting > 36 hours ? Send a PM to me containing a link to your thread My availability will be limited through ~ December 1, 2009

07-25-2008, 02:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
claycad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: WV Posts: 62 OS: Vista Home Premium	Re: Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help! My whole system is bugging out. I locks up everytime I cut and paste files from one directory to another, I get error messages everytime I burn a DVD now, I don't know what that is all about, it just started a few days ago...anyway I think my best solution would be to reformat the entire thing and do a fresh install of Vista before I end up taking a hammer to it. I've ran virus and spyware scans. Nothing came back as unusual. I haven't been getting any annoying pop ups or anything. I don't know what the problem is. Anyway, thanks for all the help you have given me. If I have anymore troubles after the reinstall I'll be back... __________________ AMD 64 X2 6000+ 3.0GHz CPU 3GB PC2 5300 667MHz RAM Seagate Barracuda ES.2 250GB SATA II HDD XFX GeForce 8600GT 256MB PCIe Video Card

07-25-2008, 02:41 PM	#12 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Supp Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Palm Springs, California / Southern New Jersey Posts: 10,054 OS: Windows 7, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help! May I ask one last thing before you reformat/reinstall the OS. . . to satisfy my own curiosity and to maybe be of more help to you in the future? Please run Deckard's System Scanner (DSS), found HERE. about 1/2 down the page you will see it - save it to your desktop. Then do the following: START \| type cmd.exe into the start search box \| right-click on cmd.exe \| select run as admin \| the type exactly as it appears below (hit enter after each line): Code: c: cd %userprofile\desktop dss /config -check every box -allow it to install HiJackThis Let it run... a minute or two should do it. One notepad will appear - main.txt, another - extra.txt will be minimized. Save them both, zip them up and attach to your next post. Thanks. . . Regards. . . jcgriff2 __________________ . . . . . . . . BSOD Posting Instructions B Expecting a reply and waiting > 36 hours ? Send a PM to me containing a link to your thread My availability will be limited through ~ December 1, 2009

07-28-2008, 07:37 AM	#13 (permalink)
claycad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: WV Posts: 62 OS: Vista Home Premium	Re: Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help! Sorry, I already started the reformatting process before I got this post, then went out of town for the weekend so couldn't respond. I wish I would have done that, I'd love to know what caused it so I could prevent it from doing it again. I think the reason I couldn't burn DVDs had something to do with nero's InCD program, but I'm not sure. I didn't install InCD this time and they are burning fine after the reformat. I have no idea what was causing the other problems. I couldn't even transfer my files for backup in regular boot, the PC kept locking up. I finally booted in safe mode then they transfered to my other hard drive fine. Thanks for all the help you gave me in trying to resolve this problem, I really appreciate it. __________________ AMD 64 X2 6000+ 3.0GHz CPU 3GB PC2 5300 667MHz RAM Seagate Barracuda ES.2 250GB SATA II HDD XFX GeForce 8600GT 256MB PCIe Video Card

07-28-2008, 11:47 AM	#14 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Supp Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Palm Springs, California / Southern New Jersey Posts: 10,054 OS: Windows 7, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Cannot Delete This Mysterious Folder! Help! Hi. . . You are quite welcome for the help. Re-formatting and the re-install of the OS is one way to solve things (usually my preferred method - but not quite right for everyone). Either way, I am glad that you are back up and running and have solved the issue. Should you run into ANY difficulties again, please come back and let us know as soon as possible via a new thread - maybe something can be caught in an early stage. Regards. . . jcgriff2 . __________________ . . . . . . . . BSOD Posting Instructions B Expecting a reply and waiting > 36 hours ? Send a PM to me containing a link to your thread My availability will be limited through ~ December 1, 2009