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Random Folders Generated on External Hard Drive

  • 24-06-2014 11:34am
    #1
    oldbie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭


    Hi there-

    Would anybody be able to explain why/how random folders have appeared on my NTFS formatted external hard drive. It's not the biggest problem in the world but I'd like to get rid of them as it would make auto-mated back up a lot easier using apps like Karen's Replicator etc... Only problem is it tells me it needs administrator permission to delete them....which I have on the computer...but it still wont let me delete these folders on the hard drive.

    I've googled but all I've got is impenetrable windows waffle.

    Best Regards,
    Oldbie


Comments

  • #2
    oldbie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭oldbie


    P.s the folders have mad names like "bt3243rh8uarrbret304hthterw0erhrt" etc....


  • #3
    oldbie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭oldbie


    Ok I managed to strike google oil.

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/sudden-appearance-of-long-numeric-folder-names-on/130a9f62-5e3b-42b4-b9b9-9582847c2f9f

    Sudden appearance of long alphanumeric folder names on external hard drive.


  • #4
    Steviemoyne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 649 ✭✭✭Steviemoyne


    Yeah as that link says, they're just temporary installation folders for applications.

    If you're trying to work out what was created by what just look at the Date Modified / Date Created part on the drive. Then go into Programs And Features in Control Panel and sort by Installed On. Sure enough one of the applications Installed Date will match a folders Date Modified / Date Created Date.

    If it doesn't then it could have been created by an application updating itself.


  • #5
    yoyo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 11,017 Mod ✭✭✭✭yoyo


    Microsoft Security Essentials does this if you use it. I was wondering where they came from and pin pointed it to definition updates. Nothing to be alarmed about :)

    Nick

    My Beer Glass collection site 🍺

    My Irish Callcards site



  • #6
    oldbie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭oldbie


    Hmmm...this is probably a stupid question but is secure boot the same as safe mode? I'm using windows enterprise.


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  • #7
    yoyo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 11,017 Mod ✭✭✭✭yoyo


    oldbie wrote: »
    Hmmm...this is probably a stupid question but is secure boot the same as safe mode? I'm using windows enterprise.

    Nope, secure boot is a security option designed to make the system more secure, not allowing unsigned drivers and operating systems to boot from the bios I think is the gist of it. Probably more applicable to the enterprise market, I have it disabled in my bios as it can have implications using open source operating systems etc.
    Safe mode is used if you are having a problem with your OS, it loads the minimum required drivers and settings to help diagnose the OS

    Nick

    My Beer Glass collection site 🍺

    My Irish Callcards site



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