2876a89cb16e9b854b --> weirdly named folder

When I click on my c: drive an unknown folder resides in the root ...

"2876a89cb16e9b854b" right above Documents and Settings etc. I clicked on this oddly named folder and there was another folder in it called "update." I tried to open the update folder to see what was in it and I got an error message saying " c:/2876a89cb16e9b854b/update is not accessible acess denied.

Does anyone have a clue as to what this folder is, or if I even need it ? It could be from an installed program of mine, but i can not even open it as stated above.

Help.

 

Have you scanned your computer for viruses recently?

The folder could be a virus/trojan.

 

I'm almost positive that is just a left over file from Windows Update.

 

/from a Windows Service Pack

 

I'm 99% sure I do not have a virus. I'm running KIS 2009, and I do daily and weekly on-demand scans with Malware bytes, and SuperAnti Spyware.

It sounds like an update folder.... I take it I can delete it ?????

 

well out of curiousity it would not let me delete the file....

It said check to see if the file is in use, or write protected...

 

its from windows update, it left over from a service pack or possibly .net install just leave it alone.

 

Windows update sometimes creates those folders when doing updates. Check you have no outstanding updates and then delete the folder if none are found. Trying to delete it when updates are outstanding could cause problems.

 

If your on Vista, type in vsp1cln.exe on the command line

 

Im running XP sp3. Just went to automatic updates, and clicked check updates .... It found one net framework 3.5.....

 

thats what it is just leave it it aint very big anyway

 

I found some odd named folder on one of my external drives...
Forced it to give me access rights (vies security tab, adding me as user) - found it was linked to some update and got rid of it.

(Running KIS 2009 also)

If you can't gain access - force access into the folder by modifying user permissions. -> right click -> properties -> security tab

 

thanks,

I did what you suggested, and you are all right. it is an update - a service pack update from ms.

 

well, today I found more folders with odd names, however they were installed on the third partition .

Why would this happen ? I just use this partition for images etc.

The folders are dotnetframework - and is over 250 mb in size. Have these applications been installed properly ? Can I remove them from this partition ?

 

I have no idea.
Put it that way.

These files aren't supposed to exist.
What I suspect is tht some installer thought it was a good idea to create these folders as temporary files on another partition, but then never deleted them...

Is it safe to remove them - if its an external HDD - does the software etc run without them?`If yes, then most likely its safe to remove them.

 

No it's an internal 320 gb 7200 - scorpio black

Partioned into 3 drives.

 

Ok.
I still suspect the same happened.

You could for example create a new folder and move the files into that...

If they are programmed into an software you'll get an error - and can just move them back.

 

ahh good idea, should of thought of that myself - cheers.


OR if that doesn't work.. What if I go to add/remove and uninstall the netframework 35 or anything that was installed in the last day or so... then go to windows updates and see if it detects that I need anything ?

 

I believe that Update uses the drive with the most space to store the update files, the problem is it does not know about removable drives so it also throws stuff on those as well.

It should delete them when the update has finished though (in the same way the temp folder should always be empty at startup as programs clean up as they go... yeah right).

 

I am sure it's an update file.