Windows 10: Undeletable folders in C:\, please help

I'm facing this problem:

I made a clean re-installation of Windows and everything has gone smoothly so far. I even renamed user accounts and also the user names, as well as the name of the PC that was given by Windows.

I have a directory (with sub-directories) in C:\ which mostly contains LibreOffice documents, a few Excel spreadsheets and PDF files. This directory and a few others have survived the Windows re-installation. The problem is that I cannot delete these directories even though I try to do so as administrator. The Security tab in the sub-directories properties shows for a few of them in the "Group or user names" section numbers that begin with S-1-15-21-1461528909.... (I cannot read the rest of the string). There are about 12 to 13 such entries for the sub-directories affected. Some entries begin with "Account Unknown" and then the string of numbers.

Windows 10 Pro v.2004.

:)

 

The Undeletable Folder

Hi there.

Yesterday there popped up a folder on my C: drive that is being absolutely stubborn and I can't get it deleted.

Things I've tried so far:

• Select folder, press delete key
• Right click folder, select delete option
• Rebooted into safe mode to try and delete it
• Tried to take ownership manually
• Tried to take ownership with script

I still can't get this folder deleted and it's kinda driving me nuts. Anytime I've tried to delete it or look at it (outside of safemode) it says I need permission from SYSTEM.

Image of folder is attached to post.

 

Downloads folder is the Documents folder

Hi Chris,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I suggest you to Restore to Default the folders and document settings and see if it helps.

Step 1:

Please follow below steps and check if it helps.

• Go to Download folder.
• Right click on the Download Folder and go to Properties.
• In Properties go to Location tab.
• In location Tab Click on Restore Default.

Step 2:

Please follow below steps and check if it helps.

• Go to Documents folder.
• Right click on the Document folder and go to Properties.
• In Properties go to Location tab.
• In location Tab Click on Restore Default.

After performing above steps change the settings as you required and check if it helps.

Hope these information helps, please get back to us for future support, we’ll be glad to assist you further.

Thank you.

 

Undeletable Folder Icon in File Explorer

You could try the fully functional Revo Pro trial uninstaller, monitor the installation of Boxcrypt, then uninstall it using the monitored data. That should be more complete.

Otherwise as you suggested (but back up the registry first) search and delete any occurrence of Boxcrypt remaining.

Searching the registry is most conveniently done with a 3rd party tool that searches the whole registry and lists finds, unlike regedit which stops after each find.
E.g. OO regedit (free) - which includes an address bar (path)




You can also use a freeware program such as
Locate32
Everything (void tools)
Ultrasearch

- these quickly index every file and folder so you can do an instant search of your file system for Boxcrypt.
I'd not know how to cope without these. (I prefer Locate32). Note- they don't index content.