Solved Strange files showing in C:\

[rundwald]

I have just moticed several items near the top of the file list when I open my hard drive. They have no extensions, and the names are such as 0a126c1e864c71c63efa64.

Should they be there nad visible, and as importantly, what are they, and do the need moving or even deleting?
I'm guessing the last will be no.

 

[UsernameIssues]

Can you please post a screenshot?

 

[DeaconFrost]

Just going by the name, it seems like they may be leftover directories from Windows Updates. I was thinking they normally should be cleaned up on their own, but someone else will be able to say if they are safe to manually remove.

 

[UsernameIssues]

Just going by the name, it seems like they may be leftover directories from Windows Updates. I was thinking they normally should be cleaned up on their own, but someone else will be able to say if they are safe to manually remove.

I was thinking that they were left over Windows Update folders too - but the info in the OP makes them sound like files (without extensions)... hence my request for a screenshot.

 

[Indianatone]

Just going by the name, it seems like they may be leftover directories from Windows Updates. I was thinking they normally should be cleaned up on their own, but someone else will be able to say if they are safe to manually remove.

Deacon Frost and UsernameIssues are spot on. Got some on my machine today after last weeks windows updates finally worked. Nothing to worry about. Just delete them. If they won't delete you may have to take ownership of the files.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1911-take-ownership-shortcut.html

 

[nilank]

I have just moticed several items near the top of the file list when I open my hard drive. They have no extensions, and the names are such as 0a126c1e864c71c63efa64.

Should they be there nad visible, and as importantly, what are they, and do the need moving or even deleting?
I'm guessing the last will be no.

Those must be folders. I usually get those when I update .Net Framework, install silverlight and other similar "microsoft things". When such installers are run, the setup usually extracts the contents onto the 2nd partition if available in a randomly named folder. These are usually deleted automatically after installation is complete, but sometimes remain there forever. So, they can be safely deleted.

If they are files, these can be leftovers from different applications which don't delete it themselves. These also appear when there's a system crash or something like that.

Hope this helps.

 

[rundwald]

Screenshot as asked for attached. BTW since posting I have found that some contain cab files by visiting properties. I hope this addnl info will help you advice me further.

 

[UsernameIssues]

It won't hurt to delete them.

It won't hurt to leave them.

Your call.

As Indianatone posted earlier - you might have to take ownership if you want to get rid of them.

 

[nilank]

Screenshot as asked for attached. BTW since posting I have found that some contain cab files by visiting properties. I hope this addnl info will help you advice me further.

As I already said, those folders can safely be deleted.

 

[rundwald]

Thanks, guys! that's unneeded bumf out the way!

 

[nilank]

Good to know!