Cannot delete corrupted folder/directory

If this is not a critical server, restart in safe mode and delete file.

Hi, Check there are no hidden or system files in the folder. Directory not empty usually means exactly that. Cheers

Try to remove the folder from a command window with the RD commaond with the /s

Boot from a Linux CD and access the folder that way.   Check if empty and if it is then delete.

are there any . (dots) in the folder name or files in that folder?

can you give us more info is it a folder you created yourself?

try what vinchenzo said (also same solution when folder or file got a dot in it.)

rd /s "\\?\C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\Annoying Folder."

use unlocker :  http://www.filehippo.com/download_unlocker/      

you may need to go to properties on the folder and make yourself the owner under advanced security settings, owner. then you should be able to delete the folders and files.

Thanks everyone for the quick response.

The name of the directory is found.001 so I guess that this was created after using chkdsk at some point.
I tried using rd to delete the folder but unfortunately, the message I received back was that the directory is not empty.

I will try and delete the file in Safe Mode and will let you know how I make out.

unlocker is a small add-on, and will do it..

Agree with Nobus, i have used Unlocker several times on XP systems that refuse to let me delete empty folders.

OK, I tried to delete the folder in safe mode and wasn't successful.

I've also changed the owner while in safe mode but couldn't delete the folder.

Unfortunately the page that I downloaded the unlocker program from has adware/spyware, plus the unlocker program has been identified as being adware/spyware so I won't be installing it.

Any other ideas?

There are early versions of Unlocker that have adware in them.  Later versions don't.

Have you tried booting with a Live Linux CD yet and accessing the disk that way?

Unlocker can be downloaded from here and is safe - http://www.filehippo.com/download_unlocker/

what you can try first is take ownership of the folder...

check this website. someone with the same issue.

 http://discussions.virtualdr.com/archive/index.php/t-191125.html

iannix - is that not the same link i posted?
and i can guarantee that unlocker is safe!

oops sorry Nobus, just posted the one i use from a good site I always have a tab open for.

Hi again,

My anti virus/spyware program is definitely stating that Unlocker and the page that it is downloaded from is showing up as containing Spyware as shown by a screenshot so I won't download Unlocker or install it.

I will try changing the ownership of the folder again...
unlocker-malware-warning-190411.gif

are you sure your system is not infected ?  the site does show no problems for me

No problems for me as well.  Downloaded version 1.91 and scanned with Avast.  No problems found.

I have no problems with filehippo as I use it for many of my updates.

My system isn't infected and I scan daily. Let me take another look at this Unlocker program again...

OK, I downloaded Unlocker and installed it and unfortunately it wasn't able delete the folder.

Time for plan b!

it was not able to delete it?  never had that; either your system is corrupt, or you have malware
you scanned with what?  only AV ?
then i suggest to use these both :
     Spybot :        http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10122137.html
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php                         MBAM

Sorry to the delay, I've been away.

To answer your question, I scan the computer with Malwarebytes on a daily basis and it do not find any malware. The second thing to mention is that the computer has been acting very irratically in the last week or so, namely, it freezes up and regularly goes to scandisk after rebooting it even if I close it normally. I suspect that the hard drive has been corrupted which could explain some of the issues that I'm experiencing I guess.

backup and make sure you have a second harddrive ready to replace this one.

then i suggest following scheme :
1 - run a diag on the disk, to be sure it is OK
2 - run also spybot, as suggested
3 - run sfc, or a repair install; if you post the OS, i can post guides

here all diags :  http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287      

Hi again, I ran a diagnostic check on the hard disk & ran Spybot and didn't have any problems reported. What is sfc or repair install? The operating system is Windows XP MCE.

Thanks, I'll get to it ASAP

First of all, thanks for the suggestions.

I've taken a closer look at both of the solutions and unfortunately I've hit another hurdle namely, they both depend on the original Windows XP CDs being available which unfortunately, they're not.
I was a good way through using the sfc program when a pop up window appeared with the Windows File Protection message that the files that are required for Windows to run properly must be copied to the DLL Cache. I think that I would be able to find the recovery disks though, would this be likely to have the original I386 folder?

normally any oem disc should do

many PC's have the folder somewhere - or inthe restore partition

oem installs usually have the i386 folder somewhere.

if you check the registry under HKEY_LM, Software, Microsoft, Windows NT, CurrentVersion and see what is listed under SourcePath - if it points to the CD drive, then you would be pretty much stuck without an OEM disk.  You could see if you have any other systems the same that may have an i386 folder you could copy over to complete the repair (same SP level).

Hi, I'm afraid my hard drive has died so I won't be able to test your solutions.....

was it very old?  RIP..

Hi, it was coming up to 5 years old.

Thanks a million for all of your help!

don't thank a million -  close the question and assign points...lol

I like someone with a sense of humour....Let me see what I can do!

My hard drive died during the course of this case so I never got to the bottom of this unfortunately!

too bad; but at least you know what to do in case it happens again