Windows XP - problems with emptying the trash

[Guest Lukas49]

Hi all!

I'm new to the forum, so forgive me if you do not write in this section.

How do I delete empty folders after upgrading Windows operating system?

I have 5 empty folders in C:\RECYCLER. I can not remove them any software.

I tried Unlocker 1.9 and also FileASSASSIN. FileASSASSIN gives me a message:

"Can not drop folders into delete box."

But I do not have files only empty folders! What am I do?

I am counting on your help.

Sorry for my English, I do not know him too well ...

[exile360]

Greetings Lukas49 and welcome

You might give this a shot as it may be able to remove them for you:

Run TFC by OldTimer to clear temporary files:

• Please download TFC from here or here and save it to your desktop.
  
• Close any open programs and internet browsers.
  
• Double click TFC.exe to run it and once it opens click on the Start button on the lower left of the program to allow it to begin cleaning.
  
• Please be patient as clearing out temp files may take a while.
  
• Once it completes you may be prompted to restart your computer, please do so.
  
• Once it's finished you may delete TFC.exe from your desktop or save it for later use for the cleaning of temporary files.
  

[Guest Lukas49]

Thanks for your prompt response. But I have some concerns.

I checked TFC.exe in my ESET Smart Security 4 program - is clean.

But what do you think about this? TFC.exe have a virus?

[exile360]

Well, the MD5 of the TFC.exe I linked you to is 5B5D56738C261634C281C7BA1CA1A2DF, while the MD5 of the file referenced on the link you provided is M7lLsdHJ8Q8Hex4FdMcv3tRTPIORo51o, that means it's not the same file, they just share a name.

Besides that, the developer of TFC, OldTimer, is well known and trusted throughout the online support and malware removal community, including here.

On a side note, an infection can have any name. I've seen infections with the name explorer.exe, even though there's a file called explorer.exe on every Windows computer.

Of course, with all of that said, choosing to download and use the tool is entirely up to you, but if you wish you may upload a copy of it to VirusTotal to have it scanned to see if it is determined to be an infection:

• Visit Virus Total by clicking on this link
  
• Once there, look under where it says Upload a file and click on the Browse... button:
  
• Navigate to the location where you saved TFC.exe and select it, then click on the Send File button
  
• Be patient and leave your browser open until it says Current status: finished, you will then be able to verify whether or not the file is detected as a virus or not
  

[Guest Lukas49]

Unfortunately, the TFC also not deleted directories.

Enclosed is the final screen performance of the TFC.

RecycleBin emptied: 0 bytes. All the empty folders are still in wastebasket and are doing well.

Probably only remains for me to format C: /

[Marcus]

Lukas49, try a reboot first; sometimes this is needed in a situation like this. And then try to delete them again.

If this fails can you check the folders' Properties. Do you have full permissions on them?

[Guest Lukas49]

I tried many programs such as Unlocker 1.9, FileASSASSIN, LockHunter, TFC, Inherit.

None of them gave the council emptied the trash.

Restarted my computer today, probably 30 times.

The contents of the trash for sure nothing is blocking.

I did also try to delete them in Safe Mode.

Remains for me to accept the full trash icon or do a new installation of the system.

Thank you all for your help. Subject to closing. : P

[exile360]

You may also wish to run the built in Disk Cleanup utility as it may be able to remove the folders. Detailed instructions on its use can be found here.

[AdvancedSetup]

What did you upgrade FROM and TO?

Please run the following scan and post back the logs and answer the question above.

Download

DDS

and save it to your desktop

http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/sUBs/dds.scr

Disable any script blocker if your Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware has it.

Once downloaded you can disconnect from the Internet and disable your Ant-Virus temporarily if needed.

Then double click

dds.scr

to run the tool.

When done, the

DDS.txt

will open.

Click Yes at the next prompt for Optional Scan.

When done, DDS will open two (2) logs:

1. DDS.txt
   
   
2. Attach.txt
   
   

• Save both reports to your desktop
  
  
• Please include the following logs in your next reply:
  DDS.txt
  and
  Attach.txt