Windows 10: I've got a ghost file and can't delete it.Not even 'rmdir /q /s' helps

It's your system and you may do as you wish, but in my opinion you are playing with fire. If you manage to delete it without a BSOD, it will just be re-created. Windows needs this for it's internal functions, beyond restore points.

A fairly non-technical explanation: What Is the Folder, and Can I Delete It?

 

FYI, the only way you can delete this folder is to boot up with any LINUX distro ie. UBUNTU, Linux Mint etc...
However, this folder will be re-created upon reboot windows with a size ~20K to keep it small. If you are not using System Restore, Search ...
Beside System Restore points, Windows also stores:
content indexing service databases that speed up your file searches
Distributed Link Tracking Service databases used to repair shortcuts and links
Backup catalog.
In addition:
If you run chkdsk then a log file (chkdsk.log) will be created in it.
If you install Macrium, Macrium will also create a file called $MRCBT

This folder can be prvented from creating with USB flash drive only using the link below:
How to prevent creation of folder in Windows 10 for USB flash drives? - Super User

 

Hey topgundcp, thanks for that link. I really like that idea.

I have a question about it that I hope you may know, or if someone else knows:
• Suppose I enable that option from that link you posted (to disable the System Volume Information folder to be not created on USB flash drives), will this turn off that folder creation in my two external disk drives (that are connected with a USB cord)?

I don't want it the Search Indexer service to exclude those drives from being indexed. That link shows the name of the key in the registry as the "DisableRemovableDriveIndexing". I don't want that happening, I want to keep the Search indexer keeping an eye out for those two drives.

I only want the System Volume Information folder to be disabled from the small USB memory flash drives.

Thanks

 

@pepanee

The answer is NO. Your external hard disk is seen by Windows 10 as basic fixed disk, not removable. See screen shot:



Personally I don't use Windows Search/System Restore but use third party software (Macrium for backup, Listary for instant search result) instead so I try to keep this folder small. The only time I want to delete this folder if it is infected by virus or Windows updates turn on the system restore which I don't use.

 

Hey everyone,I've got somewhat mixed news right now.The good news is that i found out what most of these files do, and what parts of windows creates them/ how to disable them.(and to some extend there are group policies and settings that make this process easier and remove the need of deleting stuff manually, you can just officially deactivate some of those things.)

The bad news is, that both programs behind MountPointManagerRemoteDatabase are needed on boot, if you disable them, your system greets you with a BSOD that doesn't even have a proper error message because Microsoft never thought someone would be stupid enough to mess around with those files ^^
I am trying to figure out where those drivers are actually located. Windows lies about the file locations so hard, it's unbelievable.
The short version is that the files in the /drivers folder are symlinks and not the actual files, and the symlink destinations are unreadable.
If I figure out how to get an ACTUALL copy of the driver file, I'll try to punch some common sense into Windows.

 

@pepanee

I found a site describing how to disable Indexing for certain locations:


How to Choose Which Files Windows Search Indexes on Your PC


I don't know if this would disable the creation of the SVI file tho...

 

topgundcp: So I tried that. Then I tried to plug in a USB stick, I saw the SVI (System Volume Information) folder in there. I tried deleting it, but it wasn't getting deleted. So I formatted that USB stick and then it wasn't there anymore. Windows did not create it. So I restarted the computer with the stick still connected to the computer, yet after the restart, it got created again. That folder is now still undeletable. That defeated the whole purpose. Also my Search Indexer appears to have restarted, which is kinda lame. (small # items indexed, and it's running right now). Also that site has a typo if you want to do it the Registry method. The GPEDIT method is correct, yet the Registry's correct method is here: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/preven...ion-folder-usb

Uialeth: Yea I've tried that before, it's not there.


Oh well.. it would've been nice not to see those folders on the USB sticks.

 

@pepanee

You can disable search indexing without disableing Windows search, usually when you search for files, it doesnt save any noticeable amount of time to have everything indexed anyways.

Also, can you tell me what exactly was recreated when the folder reappeared?

there is a file called WPsettings.dat or something like that, that is part of the windows store functionality that windows lately puts on all devices, it has to do something with Windows Phone, that what the WP stands for in the name as well.

You can take ownership of the folder if you want to take a look into the SVI folder

 

Oh I have a bunch of files on the computer... slightly over half a million files =P
...so over here it takes a while to re-index.

I'm just wondering if you were able to fix your problem, you're the original poster of the thread.

And thanks about that WP thing, now I know what that stands for: Windows Phone.
I don't even have a Windows phone

After I format a USB Device, I get the System Volume Information folder with the WPSettings.dat in there.

 

Well, normally, the system volume information folders are seen as threats for that matter of being undeletable, this is because those are some files that shouldn't be even showing up. These files and folders are the reason why the 8 GB USBs are actually 7.4 or so GB, and so on. These files are the configuration set into the driver or removable devices for them to work or, at least, that's how my pc treats those things. I hope this helps.

 

System Volume Folders and files are not threats, and are not seen as threats by any app or AV or OS I am aware of. I don't want some guest or new member to read that and think it's ok to just start deleting them. That would be a big mistake.

Here is a clearer explanation of the 8.0 vs 7.4 you mentioned as caused by these files. The size difference you perceive is a Marketing calculation by the vendors.. Smoke and mirrors.

Why does my SanDisk 8GB memory card show only...(2016) - Quora

 

Oh, I understand, my bad. Just that I had a USB that was considered virus, since the only file I saw was that one, I believed it was because of that.
Thanks for correcting my mistake

 

No problem. You'd be surprised how many times people ask "Why is my 8GB not 8GB? I paid for 8GB and it's only 7 something! Grrrrr....". *Smile

 

I used to be like that until I did the research *Biggrin. Have a nice weekend!