Random empty folder keeps appearing on desktop.

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  1. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #1

    Random empty folder keeps appearing on desktop.


    I don't ever keep anything on my desktop except for my recycle bin, so it's very easy to spot when something is wrong. Lately, I've been having a random empty folder appear on my desktop. It has no name with it, and it returns even after I delete it.

    However, when I do delete it, it gives me a strange message:
    "Are you sure you want to delete these icons from your desktop?
    To restore it later, go to control panel."

    I click yes, and then it reappears.

    In the "My Computer" "Desktop" the folder shows up (without a name underneath it), but when I click on it, it displays ::{0875DCB6-C686-4243-9432-ADCCF0B9F2D7} in the bottom area where it usually contains the details about the item.

    Any ideas what this is and how to permanently remove it?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,240
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #2

    Have you checked for any malware or spyware on your system?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    bassfisher6522 said:
    Have you checked for any malware or spyware on your system?
    Yep, and it's either malware free or as close as it can get. I run full system scans of malwarebytes, Hitman Pro, SuperAntiSpyware, and Avast! on the first of every month. I also have Avast! running 24/7 as my protection.

    The only things that have shown up are a few tracking cookies here and there.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,346
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #4

    N3WGUY said:
    I don't ever keep anything on my desktop except for my recycle bin, so it's very easy to spot when something is wrong. Lately, I've been having a random empty folder appear on my desktop. It has no name with it, and it returns even after I delete it.

    However, when I do delete it, it gives me a strange message:
    "Are you sure you want to delete these icons from your desktop?
    To restore it later, go to control panel."

    I click yes, and then it reappears.

    In the "My Computer" "Desktop" the folder shows up (without a name underneath it), but when I click on it, it displays ::{0875DCB6-C686-4243-9432-ADCCF0B9F2D7} in the bottom area where it usually contains the details about the item.

    Any ideas what this is and how to permanently remove it?
    Have you scanned the registry for that entry? I would suggest backing up the registry and deleting the entry afterwards, if it is there.

    HTH
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Sir George said:
    N3WGUY said:
    I don't ever keep anything on my desktop except for my recycle bin, so it's very easy to spot when something is wrong. Lately, I've been having a random empty folder appear on my desktop. It has no name with it, and it returns even after I delete it.

    However, when I do delete it, it gives me a strange message:
    "Are you sure you want to delete these icons from your desktop?
    To restore it later, go to control panel."

    I click yes, and then it reappears.

    In the "My Computer" "Desktop" the folder shows up (without a name underneath it), but when I click on it, it displays ::{0875DCB6-C686-4243-9432-ADCCF0B9F2D7} in the bottom area where it usually contains the details about the item.

    Any ideas what this is and how to permanently remove it?
    Have you scanned the registry for that entry? I would suggest backing up the registry and deleting the entry afterwards, if it is there.

    HTH
    I just scanned the registry with CCleaner, and it found no issues.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,049
    W7 Ultimate SP1, LM19.2 MATE, W10 Home 1703, W10 Pro 1703 VM, #All 64 bit
       #6

    Regedit


    Try to find a "System Restore" point that pre-dates the problem and use it to restore your system.

    N3WGUY said:
    Sir George said:
    Have you scanned the registry for that entry? I would suggest backing up the registry and deleting the entry afterwards, if it is there.
    HTH
    I just scanned the registry with CCleaner, and it found no issues.
    I think that Sir George meant:

    • Create a "System Restore" point, or even better, a backup HDD image of your System partition
    • Open "Regedit"
    • Back up the Registry (File > Export)
    • Copy 0875DCB6-C686-4243-9432-ADCCF0B9F2D7 into the "Find what:" box (Edit > Find)
    • "Search and Destroy" all occurrences

    A backup is crucial as messing with the Registry can "hose" your system.
    Last edited by lehnerus2000; 02 Oct 2012 at 23:36. Reason: Additional
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,346
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #7

    lehnerus2000 said:
    Try to find a "System Restore" point that pre-dates the problem and use it to restore your system.

    N3WGUY said:
    Sir George said:
    Have you scanned the registry for that entry? I would suggest backing up the registry and deleting the entry afterwards, if it is there.
    HTH
    I just scanned the registry with CCleaner, and it found no issues.
    I think that Sir George meant:

    • Create a "System Restore" point, or even better, a backup HDD image of your System partition
    • Open "Regedit"
    • Back up the Registry (File > Export)
    • Copy 0875DCB6-C686-4243-9432-ADCCF0B9F2D7 into the "Find what:" box (Edit > Find)
    • "Search and Destroy" all occurrences
    A backup is crucial as messing with the Registry can "hose" your system.

    I wasn't sure how much detail was needed for the OP, because he had already taken some reasonable septs to attempt correcting the problem. So, I provided a cursory follow up. Thanks for providing more explicit instructions!
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,346
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #8

    N3WGUY said:
    Sir George said:
    N3WGUY said:
    I don't ever keep anything on my desktop except for my recycle bin, so it's very easy to spot when something is wrong. Lately, I've been having a random empty folder appear on my desktop. It has no name with it, and it returns even after I delete it.

    However, when I do delete it, it gives me a strange message:
    "Are you sure you want to delete these icons from your desktop?
    To restore it later, go to control panel."

    I click yes, and then it reappears.

    In the "My Computer" "Desktop" the folder shows up (without a name underneath it), but when I click on it, it displays ::{0875DCB6-C686-4243-9432-ADCCF0B9F2D7} in the bottom area where it usually contains the details about the item.

    Any ideas what this is and how to permanently remove it?
    Have you scanned the registry for that entry? I would suggest backing up the registry and deleting the entry afterwards, if it is there.

    HTH
    I just scanned the registry with CCleaner, and it found no issues.
    Running CCleaner isn't going to help in locating the entry and deleting it.
    See lehnerus2000's post in this thread for more detailed instructions.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 4,049
    W7 Ultimate SP1, LM19.2 MATE, W10 Home 1703, W10 Pro 1703 VM, #All 64 bit
       #9

    AFAIK, the CCleaner Registry Cleaner only checks for empty keys or ones that point to non-existent items.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Sir George said:
    I wasn't sure how much detail was needed for the OP, because he had already taken some reasonable septs to attempt correcting the problem. So, I provided a cursory follow up. Thanks for providing more explicit instructions!
    I apologize for that. I have an aversion to entering the registry manually since I made a pretty big "whoops" in there once about 10+ years ago (when I was only 13 or 14 years old).

    Deleting the registry entries worked perfectly. I think the folders were related to my recent installation and uninstall of Microsoft Office 2013. That's the only thing on my computer that has actually changed in quite a while, so if it wasn't related to that, I have no idea what it came from.

    lehnerus2000 said:
    AFAIK, the CCleaner Registry Cleaner only checks for empty keys or ones that point to non-existent items.
    That is correct as far as I know.

    And I appreciate all the help guys.

    Thank you.
      My Computer


 
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