New folder called 46fcfa8d71b296bf75ae25dbc5eb4f created on external h


  1. Posts : 47
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit SP1
       #1

    New folder called 46fcfa8d71b296bf75ae25dbc5eb4f created on external h


    Hi,

    Today when I opened my external hard drive in explorer I discovered a new folder had been created in it named 46fcfa8d71b296bf75ae25dbc5eb4f.

    Initially I had to get permission to open the folder. It contains several sub-folders, files and setup information. I've attached a screenshot so you can see what all the files are called.

    New folder called 46fcfa8d71b296bf75ae25dbc5eb4f created on external h-capture.png

    I've run an AVG scan on the folder and it's showing nothing suspicious, I would just like to know what this folder is an whether I can delete it or not.

    Thanks in advance,
    Caleb
    Last edited by caleb97; 24 Jun 2012 at 10:05.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 719
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit (O.E.M)
       #2

    I think you should be safe to delete this, they are normally folders left over from windows updates. If you have the external drive connected when the update is installed, the folder might be created there. They're meant to be deleted once the update is finished but sometimes there not.

    As it's not on your main drive and not in the WINDOWS folder, you should be fine to delete. I recommend you create a backup of it somewhere else, for example in your my documents folder or, preferably, another external HDD. Monitor the computer and if there are issues, move it back to the original location. After about a month, you should be fine to permanently delete it.

    Can I delete these randomly named folders?

    Stephen
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 47
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Tekno Venus said:
    I think you should be safe to delete this, they are normally folders left over from windows updates. If you have the external drive connected when the update is installed, the folder might be created there. They're meant to be deleted once the update is finished but sometimes there not.

    As it's not on your main drive and not in the WINDOWS folder, you should be fine to delete. I recommend you create a backup of it somewhere else, for example in your my documents folder or, preferably, another external HDD. Monitor the computer and if there are issues, move it back to the original location. After about a month, you should be fine to permanently delete it.

    Can I delete these randomly named folders?

    Stephen
    Thanks for your help Stephen,

    I tried deleting the file but it said I needed permission. After a while of taking ownership and editing permissions I gave up and deleted it from within a Ubuntu live CD.

    The computer seems to be still working.

    Thanks again for your help,
    Caleb
    Last edited by caleb97; 24 Jun 2012 at 10:06.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 719
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit (O.E.M)
       #4

    You're most welcome. It feels good when I can help someone.

    Stephen
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 23:14.
Find Us