Windows 10: How do I delete a zombie Windows folder?

Discus and support How do I delete a zombie Windows folder? in Windows 10 Network and Sharing to solve the problem; I somehow created a folder that I cannot delete. While extracting files from several RAR archives to a new destination folder, I somehow -I thought-... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Network and Sharing' started by McMike, Feb 6, 2021.

  1. McMike Win User

    How do I delete a zombie Windows folder?


    I somehow created a folder that I cannot delete. While extracting files from several RAR archives to a new destination folder, I somehow -I thought- managed to create two folders with the same name. It turned out one folder name had a trailing space character at the end and one did not but I did not realize this right away.


    I tried to delete both files, one went to the recycle bin but on the second I got a message that the folder didn't exist. After some trial and error I finally figured out the folder name has a space character at the end but that knowledge has not helped me find a way to delete the folder.


    When I try to delete the folder in Windows Explorer now, I get the normal "Are you sure" confirmation dialog but then Windows comes back saying it could not find the item, it is no longer located in the folder.


    When I try to rename the folder by deleting the trailing space character at the end, Windows tells me that the source and destination file names are the same. When I try to rename the folder to a totally new file name, Windows says it "cannot find this item".


    It shows up as a File Folder type file in the directory. I can open the folder by double clicking on the icon. I can save a text file there with Notepad++ but get a message that "The directory name is invalid" when I double click on the file to reopen in Notepad++.


    I've even tried using the old DOS RMDIR in the CMD window but got the "not found" message back.


    Any suggestions on how to remove this folder are appreciated.

    :)
     
    McMike, Feb 6, 2021
    #1

  2. Trouble deleting a folder

    Thanks for the suggestion but it says "delete folder failed for E:\....." for each folder I try.

    *Confused How do I delete a zombie Windows folder? :confused:

    Will I be forever stuck with these unnecessary folders? *Oh Well How do I delete a zombie Windows folder? :eek:hwell:
     
    oli_ramsay, Feb 6, 2021
    #2
  3. Anusha Win User
    C windows installer folder - Delete?

    He can do symbolic link redirection and move the files in it to a different location. *Wink How do I delete a zombie Windows folder? ;)
    Better try it out in a virtual of first. Just a suggestion.

    Like:
    First move everything in c:\windows\installer to d:\installercache
    Then delete c:\windows\installer folder
    Then type this in command mode as admin
    mklink /d c:\windows\installer d:\installercache

    Removing those installer files is a bad idea. it might prevent you from updating or uninstalling apps.
     
    Anusha, Feb 6, 2021
    #3
  4. RoboX Win User

    How do I delete a zombie Windows folder?

    Windows 8 - delete windows folders in another drive

    I have the problem (from Windows 8) to delete the folders windows and programs on a secondary disk on which it was 7 .... know how to get full control to delete those folders?
     
    RoboX, Feb 6, 2021
    #4
Thema:

How do I delete a zombie Windows folder?

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