Desktop Folder Won't Delete

I have a weird folder icon on my desktop. It has no name, i can't rename it or delete it, its weird. the folder contains a file called desktop.ini. i can delete that file, but the folder remains. it just poped up up out of no where. im using vista ultimate 64. heres a picture its outlines in red, any ideas?

 

You have to do it from the command prompt. open the command prompt (type 'cmd' in the search bar on the start menu and hit enter)

type 'rd ' (for remove directory, dont forget the space)
then just drag the folder onto the command prompt and hit enter

that works in XP and should work in vista as well

 

thanks for the reply but i cant drag the folder into the command prompt its just that circle with the slash going through it

 

Reboot in safe mode and try again.

 

thanks for the reply greg but no sucess i rebotted in safe mode tried to delete nothing, tried to rename nothing. even tried what bmp41083 said and had the same problem with the circle with the slash. this stupid folder wont go away lol

 

A bit off-topic, but what is that Vista skin? Beautiful!

 

Back on topic. Sorry. Answer that one if you want to, but I'd suggest via PM so this thread says on topic. And please do not go off topic so blatantly for a question without helping the user .

If you can, try downloading a Linux Live CD and access the hard drive from there. Or use a Vista disc and run the recovery console. From one of those, you should be able to run the command:

rmdir C:\Users\Your Name Here\Desktop\????, where ??? is whatever the name of the folder is if there is one. Backup all your stuff in that Desktop folder though just in case something goes wrong.

It might be having a problem because it technically does not have a name...can you right-click, rename, and then delete?

 

What happens when you right click, can you get the properties up? If you can then you can rename it as Greg said.

You could also browse for the desktop folder in users/your name/... and try to delete it from there.

You could also try two other things:

download unlocker to see if it's locked by another process ( http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/) it' free.

Or open task manager and in the processes list close explorer. Then click on new task and change to "all files" rather than programs. Browse for the file, highlight it and see if you can delete it.

 

Thanks for all the replies. greg, my dad uses linux alot so i will ask him tonight if he can throw one of the many cd's he has on it. the folder has no directory its not its not even there. i go to the c user desktop, i see the icon but it doesn't have a name it just says file folder and the type. if i try and rename it, the name just vanishes as soon as i hit ok. i know this isn't any virus because i havn't downloaded anything suspicious since it appeared. and avast isn't going saying anything. kedu im gonna give your ideas a try in a minute thanks

 

kedu i'm a little confused, i'm far from computer stupid but for the life of me i can't figure out how to use this program, is it 64 bit compatible? i installed it i go to c (x86)program files uninstaller and i click the exe but nothing happens. i start auto assistant and right click but i dont see the unlock icon anywhere. i read the readme but it's not any help

i read the faq and they said to do this

- How to make Unlocker work on Windows Vista? You need to deactivate UAC globally for the whole system or locally just for Unlocker. Globally, go to "Control Panel" then "User Accounts" then again "User Accounts" then "Turn User Account Control" and set it to Off, then restart your computer. Locally go to the Unlocker install directory (usually C:/Program Files/Unlocker), right-click Unlocker.exe, select Properties, and on the "Compatibility" tab, under "Priviledge Level" enable "Run this program as administrator". Click "allow" everytime you will get the UAC prompt to ask if you want to run Unlocker. Thanks to Mike Cerminara for his help.

but it didn't work im thinking its because 64 bit

 

well i found a way to make it dissapear but its not deleted. i had view hidden files and folders on so i just said dont show hidden files or folders, and made the folder hidden. i really have no idea what it it. its 0mb nothings in it. im still going to try that linux idea greg. thats for everybody's help. rep for all of you

 

ok well i finally found out what happened my brother the comedian that he is added the folder to my desktop as a joke. he got ride of it by copying all my icons out of my user desktop folder and pasting them elsewhere then deleting the desktop folder which deleted that unnamed folder. he made a new desktop folder and pasted everything back in. sorry for wasting your time. Silas Awaketh i sent you a pm

 

I thought you had tried that already - your brother sounds like a real joker

 

Wow...good to hear it all works now though.

That's a new desktop joke for sure!

 

yea i don't understand why i couldn't delete it tho it was just a regular folder, he doesn't even remember how he renamed it with out a name. he said he didn't use alt 255. but what ever thanks for all your help guys.

 

sounds like a fun prank... especially since he got you on nbr looking for advice... wish he could replicate... btw any chance of you telling us that vista theme? sorry if its off topic but since you got your solution...

 

blaaze ill send you the same pm i sent the other guy

 

If it's not too much trouble I would also appreciate the name of your theme. Thanks.

 

@j-dogg by plays out you'll end up with a few rep points I think..
+rep point to be added