Windows 10: Strange hidden folders in C:/ - Can they safely be deleted?

Hi,

On my C root disk I have lots of strange hidden folders.

Can they safely be deleted? They do not contain anything except a .log file in the $SysReset folder





:)

 

Which folders in C Drive I can delete safely

Currently I have 13 GB free space in the C Drive after using CC cleaner and disk cleaner and removing all the unnecessary programs. I wanted to delete the unnecessary files to gain at least 4GB space in my C Drive so that I can install the windows 10 anniversary
update. Can somebody help me to delete the folders in C Drive manually so that I can gain the space.

 

Which folders in C Drive I can delete safely

Hi,

I would like to inform you that it is not recommended to delete the folder which has been created automatically at the time of installation, as the system requires access the folders with in the C drive, however you may try
deleting the folder in the C drive which you have created manually for the other purposes.

Hope the information helps. Let us know if you need further assistance. We will be happy to help.

Thank you.

 

I don't mean to be an alarmist or anything, but the only mention of the ~axdw folders is in the context of a Trojan/Worm named trojan.win32.fraudpack.adxw. That said, I've never heard of any of the so-called "reporting authorities" that claim to offer repair tools for this putative malware, and I do see mention of a "fake antivirus repair" repair utility that deals with this apparent problem. Bizarre! Seems like you're not the only person to be troubled by this phenomenon.

I just visited the searchable threats database at McAfee and it comes up with no hits on that names as search term. My advice would be to run MalwareBytes or Trend Micro Housecall on your PC, and if you come up clean, go ahead and remove these files. Otherwise, follow their repair recommendations, and then see if these folders are still hanging around. If they only contain logs anyway, they can easily be dispensed with. You just don't want them to be a telltale sign for something potentially worse lurking in your system.

HTH,
--Ed--

 

Hoggorm, AXDW stands for Athens Exclusive Designers' Week (Seriously).

Okay, I advise you to follow Ed's advice. Malwarebytes Free Edition will warn you if they are harmful. If not, set a System Restore Point, empty your Recycle Bin (so they'll be easier to restore if necessary) and then delete them as Ed says.

 

I just did a scan with Malwarebytes Free edition and it did not find anything.

All those AXDW folders are empty. The log file mentioned is in the $SysReset folder only.

As far as I can understand this folder is:

"Created once you perform a System Refresh and the SysReset folder contains information about, ranging from log files to migration xml documents, all of which provide useful information to a forensic investigator."

I installed Windows 10 via Windows 7 and actually did a system refresh, so I guess this is remains from that event.

I'll try to delete the SysReset folder (as I am no forensic investigator) and those AXDW folders as well.

 

If those are leftover files from the upgrade, they should go away if you run a "Disk Cleanup" on your C:\ drive's properties. Though I have never heard of or seen any such files being created by Windows.

 

Only the $SysReset folder is as far as I can understand leftovers from the system refresh. The AXDW folders I have no idea what are.

In an earlier post in this thread I reported that those folders did not contain any files, something that is true when I open them (I have obviously hidden files and folders visible). However - when deleting them it took some time because they all had 3000 files without any name or size (!).

I've run virus checks and antimalware on them without finding anything. After a reboot I am still here, so hopefully nothing very bad has happened...