Prevent phantom folders from coming back

[genetics73]

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.

 

[Ztruker]

Where do the folders reside?

 

[genetics73]

Where do the folders reside?

The folders shown in the screenshot reside on an external USB hard drive.

 

[alphaniner]

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

 

[genetics73]

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

LOL.

 

[alphaniner]

Y u laf?

 

[Ztruker]

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.

 

[alphaniner]

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.

 

[GEWB]

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

Regards,
GEWB

 

[UsernameIssues]

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.



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.

 

[alphaniner]

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

Regards,
GEWB

I don't see it, TBH. Maybe I took OP too literaly and didn't realize he was fully aware something was re-creating them (based on him saying "How do I get rid of those folders, permanently?" instead of "How do I prevent those folders from coming back?"), but I really don't see any humour in it. :huh:

 

[GEWB]

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

Regards,
GEWB

I don't see it, TBH.

Smile, acknowledge the complements and say "Thank you, I'll be here all week!" :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: