I get a file name warning for some folder called "C:\Program" ?

desktop · 02 Sep 2012

Today I started my computer and when I reached the desktop this little message popped up: File name warning. There is a file or folder on your computer called "C:\Program" which could cause certain applications to not function correctly. Renaming it to "C:\Program1" would solve this problem. Would you like to rename it now?

I have never seen this before and I do not have a folder called "C:\Program". Anyone have any ideas what this could be? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Carl Lawrence · 02 Sep 2012

Have you scanned your PC for malware?

karlsnooks · 02 Sep 2012

Desktop,
Go to another Win 7 computer to prepare the USB stick in this writeup.

Bootup from that usb stick on your computer.

Do this immediately as you have malicious malware.

HOW TO USE MICROSOFT'S OFFLINE MALWARE REMOVER
Windows Defender Offline
· performs an offline scan of an infected PC to remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware.
· is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.

Download Windows Defender Offline (about 785 kB)
You will have the choice of downloading the 32bit version (x86) or the 64 bit version (x64).
The link will help you determine whether you are running a 32 bit version or 64 bit version of Windows

NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 32 bit version using a 64 bit version of Windows
NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 64 bit version using a 32bit version of Windows.

You run the 32 bit version on a 32 bit version of Windows.
You run the 64 bit version on a 64 bit version of Windows.

The 32 bit download file name is: mssstool32.exe
The 64 bit download file name is: mssstool64.exe

For the curious, this program was originally name Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.

INSTALLATION:
· Requires an Internet Connection.
· Insert 512 mB or larger USB stick into a usb port.
· Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
· NEXT button
· Choose the option On a USB flash drive that is not password protected
· NEXT button
· NEXT button
.
The install program will:
· format the usb stick using the NTFS format.
· download less than 230 mB.
· name the USB stick WDO_Media32 or WDO_Media64
· use less than 300 mB.

How to UPDATE the Windows Defender Offline USB stick:
· reinsert the usb stick
· run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.
· the update will download less than 65 mB.

Since the malware database is sometimes updated several times in a day, always update before running.

PERFORM AN OFFLINE SCAN
Bootup your computer from the USB stick
Windows Defender Offline will automatically perform a quick scan.
After the quick scan finishes, Choose Full Scan
Select all of your drives

The initial, full scan can easily take several hours, but
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.

Sir George · 02 Sep 2012

desktop said:

Today I started my computer and when I reached the desktop this little message popped up: File name warning. There is a file or folder on your computer called "C:\Program" which could cause certain applications to not function correctly. Renaming it to "C:\Program1" would solve this problem. Would you like to rename it now?

I have never seen this before and I do not have a folder called "C:\Program". Anyone have any ideas what this could be? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Make sure that "Show hidden files and folders" has been set as follows;

Click the "Start" Orb and type "Show hidden files and folders" and select it from the display list (it should be the very first entry). Then be sure the radio button is selected as shown in the attachment. Afterwards you should be able to locate the folder as follows;

Open "My Computer" or "Windows Explorer", find the folder "Program" and open it to view the contents, if any, and delete them. Next delete the folder.

DO NOT DELETE THE "PROGRAM FILES" OR "PROGRAM FILES x86" FOLDER(S)!!!!

PS: I am unaware of this being caused by a virus or malware, but it is caused by a bug or coding error in a program.

HTH

desktop · 02 Sep 2012

Carl Lawrence said:

Have you scanned your PC for malware?

Yes, I have. It came up clean.

desktop · 02 Sep 2012

Sir George said:

Make sure that "Show hidden files and folders" has been set as follows...

It is always checked.

Sir George said:

Open "My Computer" or "Windows Explorer", find the folder "Program" and open it to view the contents, if any, and delete them. Next delete the folder.

There is no folder called Programs on my computer.

desktop · 02 Sep 2012

karlsnooks said:

Desktop, Go to another Win 7 computer to prepare the USB stick in this writeup.

karl, thanks for the info. I will try this tomorrow using my niece's computer to create the USB.

Sir George · 02 Sep 2012

desktop said:

Sir George said:

Make sure that "Show hidden files and folders" has been set as follows...

It is always checked.

Sir George said:

Open "My Computer" or "Windows Explorer", find the folder "Program" and open it to view the contents, if any, and delete them. Next delete the folder.

There is no folder called Programs on my computer.

If you care to take the time and research the problem on the web, you will find a plethera of posts with the same message. One of the solutions is to allow the renaming of the folder as suggested in the error message.

I know you haven't found the "Program" folder on your computer and I would venture to guess you are using MS search. I use Agent Ransack and have found that it locates files and folders not located by the built in search feature. It is free and can be downloaded from "MythicSoft". I would try using it to see if it finds the folder and go from there.

HTH

desktop · 02 Sep 2012

Sir George said:

If you care to take the time and research the problem on the web, you will find a plethera of posts with the same message. One of the solutions is to allow the renaming of the folder as suggested in the error message.

I know you haven't found the "Program" folder on your computer and I would venture to guess you are using MS search. I use Agent Ransack and have found that it locates files and folders not located by the built in search feature. It is free and can be downloaded from "MythicSoft". I would try using it to see if it finds the folder and go from there.

Yes, I did research this on the web before finally coming here. I saw many solutions, including renaming the file. However, I wasn't sure what I was dealing with so I didn't want to say "OK" to having something renamed I didn't even know I had.

Thanks for the link to Agent Ransack—it found the folder immediately. It contains the 1KB folder everyone mentioned in my research. What's interesting is that the contents of that folder are dated 10/6/2009.

Should I still go ahead with karl's suggestion with the USB?

Sir George · 02 Sep 2012

desktop said:

Sir George said:

If you care to take the time and research the problem on the web, you will find a plethera of posts with the same message. One of the solutions is to allow the renaming of the folder as suggested in the error message.

I know you haven't found the "Program" folder on your computer and I would venture to guess you are using MS search. I use Agent Ransack and have found that it locates files and folders not located by the built in search feature. It is free and can be downloaded from "MythicSoft". I would try using it to see if it finds the folder and go from there.

Yes, I did research this on the web before finally coming here. I saw many solutions, including renaming the file. However, I wasn't sure what I was dealing with so I didn't want to say "OK" to having something renamed I didn't even know I had.

Thanks for the link to Agent Ransack—it found the folder immediately. It contains the 1KB folder everyone mentioned in my research. What's interesting is that the contents of that folder are dated 10/6/2009.

Should I still go ahead with karl's suggestion with the USB?

I would just remove the folder; there is no need to do any additional work to solve the problem. As I stated before, you are almost certainly not dealing with a virus or malware.

HTH