Windows 7 - Crazy folders in external USB drive

[YanKleber]

Hi!

I have these folders in my external drive (USB) with crazy names such as "234hg2jh4g2hj3g43h" that I cannot delete and not even see the contents. If I try to get into them Windows pops a message saying that I don't have permissions.

Any idea?

Thanks!

 

[Dahak]

They are generally leftovers from some program installs or manual updates.
you can use a utility like takeownership to give yourself access and delete them as needed

 

[YanKleber]

Thank for the info about what have created it. About the 'takeownership' app I tried but it didn't work. It says that I got the ownership of the folder, but when I try to delete it I still keep receiving the message that I don't have the proper permissions.

 

[It's Not Lupus]

Try an admin account, or an admin account on a different computer.

 

[JackMDS]

You can also try this - http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/unlocker.html

 

[YanKleber]

You can also try this - http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/unlocker.html

Nice, it took care of the issue. Thanks!

:biggrin:

 

[code65536]

Since most USB flash drives are formatted with FAT32 or exFAT, there are no permissions involved, so the failure to delete is the result of the file or directory being in-use and locked, which is why an unlocker utility worked.

In this case, though, I would've used Process Explorer (which can also "unlock" things with its ability to forcibly close handles) so that I could see what it is that's creating and using these files/directories. Because they do look suspicious, don't they?

 

[YanKleber]

Since most USB flash drives are formatted with FAT32 or exFAT, there are no permissions involved, so the failure to delete is the result of the file or directory being in-use and locked, which is why an unlocker utility worked.

In this case, though, I would've used Process Explorer (which can also "unlock" things with its ability to forcibly close handles) so that I could see what it is that's creating and using these files/directories. Because they do look suspicious, don't they?

It is not a flash drive but an external USB HD. And trully it doesn't look like suspicious to me at all. If it was something nasty my AV would have catch it. It just was annoying me because it confuses the visual check of the listed folders.

Anyway, I think that it's more likely as Dahak said: some kind of stupid leftover. Anyway, as mentioned before the 'unlocker' from Major Geeks kicked its *ass.

:awe:

 

[code65536]

If it was something nasty my AV would have catch it.

All AV is about as effective as airport security. Far too many people take a "my AV will handle it" approach when AV is really a last-ditch line of defense more akin to airbags in a car--there's a good chance it won't actually catch what it needs to catch. You'll find that I have a very low opinion of all forms of AV.

Anyway, I think that it's more likely as Dahak said: some kind of stupid leftover.

That's unlikely. Leftovers are just that: leftovers. They don't have open handles on them that prevent them from being deleted. If you had to use an unlocking program, that means that a program that is currently running on your computer has an open handle to that file. That doesn't sound like a leftover.

 

[Fardringle]

If it was something nasty my AV would have catch it.

Good antivirus software is useful and important, but nothing is 100%. I spend a lot of time nearly every day removing malware from computers that have good active antivirus software running. The people that produce malware are very good at what they do and they put a lot of effort into designing their malware to fool (or avoid) common security programs.

As code65536 said, something was actively using those folders, and while it might not be anything harmful, it would still be a good idea to find out what it is so that you know for sure if it needs to be removed.

 

[YanKleber]

Well, I really don't know what say to you guys. If the AV, anti spyware and such didn't find anything in my system I don't know what else I could do. Anyway, the folders are gone and they didn't get back so far.

:biggrin:

All in all I am an experienced user and usually I do not stupid things that may infect my system, although sometimes a pest come inside but then it is just a matter of kill it. About those folders, mostly of virus and MW I know does a better job on hide themselves so I really don't think that this is the case. I may be wrong though. As I said not virus or MW was detected so I think I am good.

On a final thought I know that we are living hard times with all digital pests but I try to not freak out about it. Truth is no matter how careful you are... being connected you will always be in jeopardy.

Thanks for all your help!

:thumbsup: