Windows 7 - Scrambled folder names, New Install

Hey there, have my EX's computer with me and just got finished installing Win 7 32bit over another Windows 7, so it created the windows.old folder.

My question pertains to some folders that look like gibberish, scrambled letters as though they were encrypted, or as I have seen before like a virus that has that type of naming. Her old install was full of junk and virus', I couldnt get it solved and really didnt want to spend alot of time doing so, even after she sadi the do a clean install. I instead did a fresh install over the old OS.

I have attached an image of what her folders look like in the C drive, and this is after a fresh install like noted above, and having all updates installed, has Office 2007 installed, plus advanced system care, silverlight, mosbackup, FF7, IE9, and thats it.

I did run a malware check but found nothing

I am hoping someone has an answer, could I delete them of should I just re-install but clean, save the windows.old somewhere?

Thanks
Gerry

These might just be temporary setup folders left behind from installing various software - I've seen this on occasion before, and they were always safe to delete.
You didn't say what's inside the folders... also, since your intention was to wipe out all the infections and start clean, why did you perform an in-place reinstall over the old OS?

Ok thought about that, temp folders will delete. though.....

Yes all are empty....well I was hoping to save what important info she had, that I might have missed during back up. I backed up all her docs, music, photos, videos etc on a separate drive from her user folder, but I was wondering whether there was anything left and opted to keep an old build just in case there WAS something I forgot.

Could have been the wrong thing to do? Wondering now if I should re-install but with clean install.....although it does seem to be clear of bugs, MSE found some in the windows.old folder and promptly deleted. I will run more scans before I give it back.

Thanks for the input.
Gerry

The only real way to be sure you are rid of a virus is to run 'clean all' from diskpart. Tutoural. Also, all user files documents-pictures-downloads- music) should be located in C:/users. Backup that folder and it should cover any personal files.

hmm good to know for future installs, thanks.

I ended up moving the windows.old folder to an external drive in case its needed. Then did a clean install.

Thanks for all the help.

Gerry

We're glad you got it workng like you want it. Good luck with it.