Prevent phantom folders from coming back

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 50
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #1

    Prevent phantom folders from coming back


    Some time ago, I emptied and deleted several folders; but like zombies, they come back. I can delete them, but they return, time and time again. How do I get rid of those folders, permanently? The attached screenshot shows the list, the light blue names indicating the empty folders.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Prevent phantom folders from coming back-screenshot_1.jpg  
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,285
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #2

    Where do the folders reside?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 50
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Ztruker said:
    Where do the folders reside?
    The folders shown in the screenshot reside on an external USB hard drive.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 201
    Windows 7 Professional x64, Arch Linux
       #4

    Something is re-creating those folders. The only way to stop them reappearing is to figure out what's creating them.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 50
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    alphaniner said:
    Something is re-creating those folders. The only way to stop them reappearing is to figure out what's creating them.
    LOL.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 201
    Windows 7 Professional x64, Arch Linux
       #6

    Y u laf?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6,285
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #7

    Probably because that's why he asked the question in the first place :)

    Can you connect the external drive to a different system and try deleting them, see what happens?
    Or try booting to Safe Mode and delete them, see how that works.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 201
    Windows 7 Professional x64, Arch Linux
       #8

    Yeah, I was being snarky, because he's making no effort to help us help him; it seems like he's hoping someone will just stumble upon the thread already knowing the answer.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,030
    Linux Mint / XP / Win7 Home, Pro, Ultimate / Win8.1 / Win10
       #9

    Alphaniner, you have to admit your first reply IS funny!

    Regards,
    GEWB
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       #10

    Process Monitor should be able to tell you exactly what app creates those folders.

    If you can tell us a bit more about when they show up, I might be able to tell you how best to use Process Monitor to hunt down the offending app(s). (e.g. Do they show up immediately after a reboot? Or do they show up hours after a reboot?)

    If you need to run Process Monitor for a long time, then change the settings within Process Monitor so that it uses Backing files.

    Prevent phantom folders from coming back-pm-bf.png

    If Process Monitor cannot find the culprit, then an AutoIt script can keep an eye out for the creation of those folders and notify you exactly when they appear. Maybe then, you can figure out what app you started.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  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 15:37.
Find Us