I'm trying to remove a folder, and whenever I try to from windows everything crashes. Its not a system folder so I'm guessing a virus is inside and is trying to protect itself, because of this I'm now trying to use the dos prompt to remove it. When I type "rd messenger" it tells me that the folder isn't empty so it can't, having looked inside and not seen anything I'm guessing that a hidden folder is the problem. Does anyone know how I can remove a hidden folder without knowing its name? I've tried "attrib -h -s /s" on the advice of a friend but it doesn't work for some reason...What is the full path to the folder, how did it get created, and what does it contain?
If you don't want to get an antivirus then...
To delete a folder like this, you have to use DOS. (obviously)
You can try getting permission to open the folder, or give yourself Admin access. Right click the folder and goto properties, then go to sharing. You might be able to give yourself access by changing your permissions.
If you can't do that, then try deleting it with the command rmdir C:\whatever\directory /S /Q
If this doesn't work you can try going into safe mode, by PRESSING F8 at startup. You will see a _ blinking and that's when you get to that. Then you can try deleting with windows explorer, or DOS.
If that doesn't work you can try renaming the folder and deleting it. With the command rename c:\messenger differentname.
If that still doesn't work you can try moving the file with move c:\windows\temp\*.* c:\temp
Again if that doesn't work, omg... that's a *censored* folder...
You may try going into windows explorer and click tools > folder options > then show hidden files and folders. Then uncheck hide system files and folders. Now see if you can see any files in there or use
cd C:\messenger
dir
Then see if you can see any folders and trying to delete them like that.
Messenger (if your talking about msn messenger) is the DEFAULT msn messenger that you can delete.

Even another way to delete something like this...
For a desperate measure, you can try to use a Linux Live CD. Knoppix should work, and it should be able to delete that pesky folder.

good luckc:\documents and settings\robert\local settings\application data\microsoft\messenger

It was probably created by MSN, and inside it is one empty folder that won't delete itself. The other empty folder is my email addy, if that matters.


Second post:
I have F-Prot, but it closes every time it reaches that folder
I'm using the command prompt because I've found no way of getting into the proper dos, I'm running XP so I'm not even sure if dos is on the computer.
I've tried the "rd" command, its told me the folder wasn't empty so it couldn't do it.
F8 at startup brings me to a list of options, I've tried them and they just open in "windows safe mode". Its like windows except it annoys me. The virus still messes around in it so I've not tried very much in it.
I've renamed it, tried everything, and changed its name back. It didn't change anything.

I'll try your other IDEAS, except linux. I don't know anything about it and don't have any DISKS for it so I'll probably format the computer before I try it.

EDIT:
I moved it, changed the tools\show hidden files and folders, and then deleted the hidden folders (including a folder called "rhc55sj0ecer"). Thanks for all the help what happens if you

1. click the Start button
2. Click "Run"
3. Type cmd in the box & press enter
4. At the prompt, type

cd /d "c:\documents and settings\robert\local settings\application data\microsoft\messenger"

5. type attrib -h -r -s /s *.* and press Enter

6. type Dir and press Enter


I did try attrib -h -r -s /s *.* earlier, it didn't do anything though QUOTE from: owfio on August 17, 2008, 04:00:35 AM

I did try attrib -h -r -s /s *.* earlier, it didn't do anything though

There is most likely a virus in that folder.