New strange directories are on my computers

[NoelS]

I just noticed a new "directory" named "7b4adfbb4e588bb6d25e6509" which showed up on a storage drive I just installed on my computer yesterday for backing up my other drives. It also has a sub-directory named "Update," which is empty.

I noticed my second computer has the same kind of directory/sub-directory on a similar hard drive for storage, which I installed yesterday also.

Both of these hard drives are Seagate 300GB SATA HDDs...

Can anyone tell me if these are legitimate directories put there by Seagate or XP or some kind of virus playing games? I've never seen one like this before, and I've had Seagate SATA HDDs before. BTW, both HDDs are partitioned in half, and these "directories" have appeared on the 2nd partition in each case. Strange...

Thanks, Noel

 

[MustISO]

Did you do any MS updates for Windows or Office?

 

[C1]

Generally folders such as you describe are program updates or restore points. Generally, though, I thought that these are hidden. Make sure that you have the box checked for "Hide System Files" in Tools/Folder Options/View.

 

[NoelS]

Originally posted by: MustISO
Did you do any MS updates for Windows or Office?

Yes, I did update both computers with the Microsoft Windows Desktop Search yesterday, and a couple of normal MS periodic automatic updates. That's probably it, then...

As for hiding my hidden files, I've always opened them up to see them. I'll make them hidden again and see if these file "disappear."

Thanks, Noel

 

[bruceb]

I have a similar folder on one of my computers ... I think it showed up
when I installed SP2 awhile back ... If everything is running fine after
updates, you can delete the folder .. or if you have the extra space,
just leave it be. It won't hurt to keep or delete it.

 

[NoelS]

Originally posted by: C1
Generally folders such as you describe are program updates or restore points. Generally, though, I thought that these are hidden. Make sure that you have the box checked for "Hide System Files" in Tools/Folder Options/View.

Turns out these apparently aren't hidden files. I went into Folder Options/Views and selected Do Not Show Hidden Files and Folders, applied and it was still there. Opened and closed Explorer and Refreshed it was still there...

Strange that an MS update file like this would stay visible even when Hidden Files are selected (if it is an MS file).

Any other ideas? I'd really like to find out what they are... Other places to look? Google had no idea...

Thanks, Noel

 

[NoelS]

Originally posted by: bruceb
I have a similar folder on one of my computers ... I think it showed up
when I installed SP2 awhile back ... If everything is running fine after
updates, you can delete the folder .. or if you have the extra space,
just leave it be. It won't hurt to keep or delete it.

Bruce, thanks. I tried to delete it but it won't let me - says someone else is using the file. That's why I'm bothered.

Suppose I could do a System Restore... maybe I'll try that, see what happens.

Noel

 

[NoelS]

OK, strange but true... I used System Restore on one computer and ended up with 2 of those crazy directories in the same partition. The both were labeled with SP2xxxx titles, so were probably just notations for the MSD automatic updates to XP as MustISO suggested... But this time I was able to delete them. Then undid the System Restore and they look to be gone for good on one computer. On the other computer I rebooted and it was gone all by itself!

Sorry to have bothered, but this was a first time for this in many years of using XP and updates...

Noel

 

[bsobel]

Temporary update directories, the system will find the largest drive with free space, hence why your new drive got them. These definately are not system restore directories. They are normal and shoud be deleteable (if they are still there) post reboot.