Weird Vista problem, folder reappears after deleted

Ok, I'll try to keep this as short a possible; problem first, story second.

Problem: Every time I boot up my laptop, there is an empty "Programs" folder on my desktop. I delete it every time but after I restart, it appears again.


Story: I was trying out different HD, CPU temp, etc. monitoring programs (I had posted asking which is best in the forum). I installed, uninstalled, etc. but then something odd happened. I go to start> all programs and i see a "programs" folder in the "all programs" menu! I open the folder and it displays all the programs that are in the "all programs" menu. Essentially I have a folder of "all programs" duplicated within the "all programs" menu!!!

So I dragged that folder out of the "all programs" menu to the desktop and tried to delete it. Vista said I could not since I did not have permission, however I am the administrator... So I restart my computer and I am able to delete the programs folder from my desktop.

To my surprise, when I started up my computer at a later time, the programs folder reappeared on my desktop but it was empty.

I hope I didn't lose anyone, but that's my story.... Anybody have a solution???

 

I know that there are some folders that the system restores automatically. For example, under my username folder, if I goto Documents, there is a folder called Recieved Files. No matter how many times I delete it, it always reappears. I believe that the system puts it back there because it knows that that folder will be needed in the future. I'm not sure if the same thing is happeneing to you, but it's a possibility.

 

interesting, we need information

right click on folder and choose properties

What do you see?

 

This is what I'm showing for my Recieved Folder:

 

Hmm, this is what I have: The thing is... it says there's one file in there... but the folder is empty, I checked for hidden files as well.

 

That's weird. Now I'm lost.

 

This folder is placed there by MS Messenger. You cannot remove it as Messenger is recreating it.

You originally said it was RECEIVED FILES...MY RECEVIED FILES would have been more helpful

 

Let's not worry about the file for a moment...what version of Windows Vista (home, biz, ultimate...)

Are you a standard user or administrator?

I have a feeling that this folder was not part of your profile, but was part of the PUBLIC USERS profile, or in XP days, the ALL USERS account.

Go to C:\Users\Public\Desktop

Is the folder there?

Or is it in
C:\Users\Dan\Desktop

 

I am the admin of this computer and the folder is under my user profile. I'm using Vista 32-bit home premium SP1.

Hmm I was messing around with the folder properties, under the location tab it read C:\Users\Danny\Desktop but I clicked "Restore Default" just to see what would happen. It now reads the location as: C:\Users\Danny\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. I checked out that location and there is a copy of the programs folder there, exactly the same as the one that had appeared in my "all programs" menu.

Ahh, when I click "OK" it asks me if I want to move all the files from the old location (desktop) to the new location. I click "Yes" and it asks if I want to replace Desktop.ini files... I accidentally clicked on one and one go replaced. The programs folder disappeared from my desktop (hopefully it stays gone on restart) I have a feeling that it had to do with the desktop.ini file...

Also, what is the "roaming" folder? Why do I need it? And how did the roaming programs folder end up in mine? Lastly, why could I not see the desktop.ini file in the empty folder even when I enabled "view hidden files and folders"? So many questions........