Solved Random empty folder keeps appearing on desktop.

[N3WGUY]

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?

 

[bassfisher6522]

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

 

[N3WGUY]

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.

 

[Sir George]

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

 

[N3WGUY]

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.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Regedit

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

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.

 

[Sir George]

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

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!

 

[Sir George]

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.

 

[lehnerus2000]

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

 

[N3WGUY]

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.

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.

 

[Sir George]

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.

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.

Good to hear, glad you have it solved.

 

[lightstorm22]

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.

I know it is an old thread, but there were not too many posts around about it, so I wanted to confirm I had the same issue when uninstalling Office 2013 just now. I had also had Office 2010 installed at the time, because I forgot to uninstall it first, but as soon as I uninstalled 2010 then the folders disappeared. I then reinstalled 2013 clean and all is well.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Thanks

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.

I know it is an old thread, but there were not too many posts around about it, so I wanted to confirm I had the same issue when uninstalling Office 2013 just now. I had also had Office 2010 installed at the time, because I forgot to uninstall it first, but as soon as I uninstalled 2010 then the folders disappeared. I then reinstalled 2013 clean and all is well.

Thanks for that comment.

It's handy to know these things.

 

[echoniner]

I too discovered this problem today, too with uninstalling Office Pro Plus 2013 immediately after installing it (and I too have elements of Office 2010 still installed). I was happy to see the name of that one folder above typed out for me, making it easier to search the registry. The other folder was not typed out, so I'm doing it here, for future people with this issue.

The two folders are:
::{138508BC-1E03-49EA-9C8F-EA9E1D05D65D}
::{0875DCB6-C686-4243-9432-ADCCF0B9F2D7}
(this one reported previously)