Solved Odd folders created automatically once USB device is connected

Hello Everyone!

I was advised to post my issue here after posting it on the General discussion page. I'm hoping that someone here can help me out! Please bear with me, as this post might be a bit long!

Summary:

I've been having an issue the last few days where a folder is automatically created whenever I have USB device, in this case, my external HDD is connected. I've tried numerous times to delete the folder, but it keeps being automatically created on it's own after its been deleted. It's been creating itself at random intervals (anywhere from a few mins to a few hours) while the external HDD is plugged in, and it will sometimes automatically be created as soon as the external HDD is unlocked (my external HDD Is password-protected).

Some background info:

I know that last week, I connected my niece's USB flash drive to my computer, as she wanted me to put some files on her USB flash drive for her. I know that once I connected her USB flash drive, I created a folder, named it, and started to move some files over to the folder I created. During that process, I noticed that empty My Docs/Pictures/Videos subfolders were being created automatically in the folder I had originally made on my niece's USB flash drive. I would delete the folder I created, but the folder would automatically create itself once again, with all subfolders intact. I ignored the issue, moved the files over to my niece's USB flash drive, and disconnected her USB flash drive from my computer.

A few days ago, I connected my external HDD via USB, and at the time I had a folder with a similar name as the folder I created on my niece's USB flash drive, and just like what happened on my niece's USB flash drive, I was getting these empty My docs/pictures/video folders automatically created. I ended up moving all the files I had in that folder to my D/Data drive, and deleted the folder that was causing me problems. After I deleted it, the folder recreated itself automatically, with all the My docs/pics/videos subfolders intact.

It doesn't matter how many times I delete the folder or rename it, it keeps coming back. I know that sometimes if I just leave it alone, it will continue to create an empty Saved Games and Downloads subfolders as well.

Other issues, possibly related:

I've also noticed that my external HDD has been acting up a bit more. I was getting messages saying that my external HDD was disconnected, and when I would reconnect via the USB device software, it would tell me it was already connected/working fine. I was also getting a "please format disk" message when I was already viewing the files/folders saved on my external HDD. Lately, those particular issues haven't occurred since 2-3 days ago. Though I did have an issue today where I deleted the problematic folder, disconnected my external HDD, reconnected it via the USB, and Win7 couldn't recognize the device, as it wasn't showing up on Computer. It look a restart for it to be recognized again.

I've ran antivirus scan and a Malwarebytes scan, on both my C/OS drive and on the external HDD itself, and nothing was detected. I've also tried a clean startup as well, and have had no success with that either.

Unrelated note: I did install a 2nd new hard drive last week on my laptop for personal files/folders, replacing/deleting the D/Data drive partition I had been using previously. Not sure if any of this would come into play, but I thought I'd mention it.

I am literally quite stumped on what to do to solve my issue, and am looking for any kind of help and solutions to help me solve it. I appreciate everyone who reads my entire post, and I hope that someone can help me!

I appreciate all the help I can get! Thanks!

What is the name of this folder? There might be others here who have an answer - if the folder name was known. Utilities similar to Acronis Drive Monitor [free] and Piriform's disk defragger [free] contain functions, respectively, SMART alerts and general HD condition [green, yellow or red].

Open Windows Explorer. Click on Libraries then click on the triangle by each folder to expand and show what drive the library folder is assigned to. You may have inadvertently included a folder in a USB attached drive and Windows will keep trying to create it if not present.

Below is a sample.

RolandJS said:

What is the name of this folder? There might be others here who have an answer - if the folder name was known. Utilities similar to Acronis Drive Monitor [free] and Piriform's disk defragger [free] contain functions, respectively, SMART alerts and general HD condition [green, yellow or red].

Click to expand...

Hi RolandJS! The original folder was just a folder that I created myself to store some personal files. I'm having the issue of different empty subfolders automatically being created on its own within that folder. As of now, I'm not using that particular folder anymore, and it can be deleted, but it will just remake itself again after some period of time. I've never had an issue with this before until now. Also, I'm not familiar with any of the programs you've mentioned.

carwiz said:

Open Windows Explorer. Click on Libraries then click on the triangle by each folder to expand and show what drive the library folder is assigned to. You may have inadvertently included a folder in a USB attached drive and Windows will keep trying to create it if not present.

Below is a sample.

Click to expand...

Hi Carwiz! I've checked the libraries, and all my libraries are pointed to my folders on the D/Data drive. I installed a new 2nd HDD on my computer just last week, as I was running out of space on my C/OS drive. I had a data partition that I deleted, and allocated the extra space to C. I had to redirect the libraries to the new HDD I had installed. Currently, there is no library that is directed to the problematic folder on my external HDD.

Edit: Hello again Carwiz, I just want to thank you for suggesting to check my libraries. Just now, I stumbled upon my user folder and I saw that the folders selected (please see attachment) are being directed to my external HDD, do you think that the reason the folders are being recreated each time is because they're linked to my user folder? I'm not sure how/why it got set up like that when I have most of my files/folders saved on my D/data drive.

That sounds like it. Thanks for reporting back. I didn't get a notice when you updated your message so I though I should stop back by. Sorry to be late. Are you set to go now? If so, you can mark this thread Solved.

carwiz said:

That sounds like it. Thanks for reporting back. I didn't get a notice when you updated your message so I though I should stop back by. Sorry to be late. Are you set to go now? If so, you can mark this thread Solved.

Click to expand...

No worries! I redirected the folders to my D/Data drive now and they haven't reappeared on my external HDD! Thank you for your help! I really appreciate it! I'll be marking this thread as solved!