Hello
This is my first posting so here goes. A number of weeks ago I ran across a freebie file that I could download and subsequently enter files into that would be accessed only with a password. I proceeded to enter private and personal information into it, finding it very useful as my grandkids are forever roaming through my PC. Much to my dismay, they somehow wiped out a number of my files, including all evidence of the hidden files folder. I scoured my hard drive hoping I would find some clue to the hidden folder but no luck, so I assumed it was deleted.
A few days ago I ran a program called, "largest files finder"just to get an idea of what files were taking up the most space on my hard drive when lo and behold, there were my missing files listed among all the others. I tried dragging them out, copying, deleting, etc, nothing works. I can open the files but cannot do anything with them. At this point I would be satisfied to just delete them and chalk it up as a lost cause. Can anyone out there crank up their expertise and show me how to delete these files? Many thanks.

Duxfordmemory

What was the name of the program, that ate your files.
Someone here might be able to help, if they knew the name of the program.

If that fails:
Have you tried deleting it, in Safe Mode?
How to start Windows in Safe Mode

Have you checked the folder's Properties?
Right click the folder, and select Properties.
Make sure it's not set to, Read-only.
If it is, uncheck it, click Apply, and click OK.
Now try to delete it.

Have you tried renaming the file, then deleting it?
Name it anything you want, like trash, old, useless, ........ whatever.

If none of the above works, here are a couple of programs, you can try:
Unlocker
Eraser
Delete Doctor

There's also this Microsoft Knowledge Base Article that might be helpful:
How To Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
.
.

Thanks for a great set of options. I`ve tried everything you`ve advised with no luck. Unfortunately I cant remember the name of the program that ate my files. I just picked it at random among others at the time and when it appeared that my files and the program had been deleted I just never gave it another thought. It wasn`t until I recently ran across a web site called: www.file.net and a file in it called, "top 100 largest files on your computer". I ran the file and it did exactly what was advertised, it listed the 100 largest files on my PC. Thats where my missing files now suddenly showed up. I can open the files listed but cant do anything with them. As mentioned previously, I`ve tried right clicking, deleting, copying, draging and dropping, etc. The files show being in a folder: C:\CHKDSK.100yy (with two sets of dots over each y). I cannot find that folder on my drive, I`ve tried everything. It`s just frustrating me to no end. Does anyone out there have any other possible solutions to this Chinese puzzle?? Again, thanks for your great reply.

You're welcome, duxfordmemory.
Sorry it wasn't any help.
Hopefully, someone else might have another idea.

Hi
I dunno on how to delete the files,but i know how to restore the missing file
Google for Recover My Files,and,like the name,it WILL recover the files,I know cuz I use it
I cannot remember if it is free or not,I have the program for ages now!!
And the files that cannot be delete,well,the only way to get rid of it that i can think of is a hard format
and I'm sure you'll never want to do that!!

Did you say that you can view the hidden files only through the aforementioned program? If you can set your Windows Explorer to be able to see these hidden files then maybe you could delete them that way:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/141276/

To Darknight and JHS Murray,
Thanks guys for your informative replies. The "Recover my Files" program is an excellent one for what it was designed for: to recover deleted files. The files I`m trying to retrieve were never deleted. They are still there, buried in an invisible program or folder, so far only able to be seen in the software I mentioned above. Seen but no able to do anything with which is the maddening thing I face. The approach through Microsoft is also informative, yet does not touch my problem. Looks like it`ll take a miracle from the big guy in the sky! Thanks alot guys for taking the time to help out.

Hi duxfordmemory,

Do you know the entire pathname to the files? If so, you might be able to use the command prompt to rename or move them and then retrieve them or, if all else fails, delete them.

Or here's another thought. If you still know the password you used, is there a right-click option to open them using a password? I've never password protected a file, so I don't really know how that works.

And yet one more possibility would be to Google the appropriate keywords for that application to see if you can find and reinstall it. I'm on slow dialup, so I use a download manager for most of my downloads. Fortunately, I'm able to set it to maintain history logs so that I have a record of all the downloads and URLs I've made from them.

Along the lines of closing the barn door, it would probably be a good idea to set up parental controls on the accounts your grandkids use.

Dialer,
Nothing seems to work. Whoever put that software together and unsuspecting me used it, has to be evil. Sure would like to sit down and have a chat with that man. Looks more and more like my only solution will be to format my hard drive. Needless to say, I will not do that hastily. Thanks for your input Dialer.

Duxfordmemory

Awwww Dux, don't give up yet.

Back to my first suggestion, above. What I was getting at was that you could very possibly use DOS commands to get rid of the files. Did you try that? If not, it's definitely worth your taking a crack at it. If you don't know how to do that, we can talk you through it here.

Dialer,
Your approach sounds intrigueing and I would certainly need you to hold my hand, as I am not a very savvy user. However, how would you feel about doing THIS before, just so you get a feel for what I`m up against:
Go to www.file.net, click on software, click on Largest Files Finder, click on Free Download, and then Run, and Run.
Now, whatever files it finds on your PC is where the hidden files in question show up on my PC. You will be able to open any of the files listed but thats where it ends. I cant do anything, i.e., delete (which is my priority), copy, drag and drop, etc, etc. If you can master that situation, my hat is off to you my friend. So thanks in advance and I`ll be watching for your results.

Duxfordmemory

Hey Dialer,
Looks like you`re the one that has given up. Had high hopes that you would have my long sought solution. Oh well.
Have a Happy New Year. Regards,

Duxfordmemory

The file name intrigues me because chkdsk is the abbreviation for the Check Disk utility. I'm not sure of the significance of that, but perhaps someone will have some insights.

Orange Blossom

Oh gosh, Dux,

Sorry to have disappeared. I got all involved in family and friends over Christmas and then ... well ... I forgot about this thread.

Orange Blossom raises a good question, which also leads me to ask if you changed your folder options to view hidden folders and files, including system folders and files?

Meanwhile, I'll go check out Largest Files Finder.

Happy New Year to you!

Edited to add: Ah, I see that jhsmurray already posted a link above for info about viewing hidden files.

Orange Blossom,
Yes, chkdsk is exactly what you say it is. How that relates to the hidden folder I`m going nuts trying to find is beyond me. Each of the files in question show a path yet in following the path to its end location, nothing is there to be found. Whoever put together that software I downloaded and loaded files into must be laughing his head off.

Dialer,
Folder options to show hidden files has already been addressed. No luck, unfortunately.

Duxfordmemory

Including the system folders and files? Just double-checking.

Either way, there's still a possibility we can delete the file(s) using DOS commands. You still up for that?

Hello Dialer,
Have you had a chance to check out the "largest files finder" download? I`m not sure I quite understand your reference to "the system folders". I have a check in place to show hidden files and have had it in place all along. Are you refering to something else when you say "system folders"? Sorry, I`m not very PC literate. Does it involve working with the Registry? I have always stayed away from that, fearing further problems.
You mention working with DOS. I would certainly attempt it as you seem to feel that has potential, but needless to say you`ll have to hold my hand on that one. Many thanks for your continued interest.

Duxfordmemory

Hello duxfordmemory,

From reading the following reviews (see the one by AungDin), I think the program that caused this was a free "Hide Folder" program:

http://www.snapfiles.com/opinions/free-hid...ide-folder.html

It is evidently a product of this company:

http://www.cleanersoft.com/

http://www.cleanersoft.com/hidefolder/free_hide_folder.htm

You may be able to contact them for help at:

http://www.cleanersoft.com/contact.htm

Hi Dux,

Yes, I did try out that download, but it didn't provide me with any info that could help you. What's more, my recollection was that it was adware (not malicious, but annoying), so I removed it. Also, though I can't point my finger to it right now, I ran across a process built into Windows that does pretty much the same thing.

Here's what I'm talking about for the hidden system folders, but I suspect it won't make much difference, especially considering what M... has unearthed. Still, it's good info for possible future problems. This might not look exactly like what's on your computer, depending on which version of Windows and Windows Explorer you're using.


Besides checking "Show hidden files and folders," UNCHECK "Hide protected system operating files." Just don't forget to go back and check it again after you no longer need to see these files. No registry work needed (at this point, anyway), and I'm not comfy messing around in there either. If it comes to that, we'll find someone else to write step-by-step instructions for you.

Not to worry, I or any number of folks here can hold your hand through the DOS process. But first, if the program that M... found is the same program that created this mess in the first place, a better route seems to be to reinstall it. That way you should be able to retrieve the info in the hidden file and possibly save it in a format not tied in to the program. M...'s suggestion to contact the product developer might also work but very often, companies that provide free programs don't offer any technical support for them. If you reinstall, and it does solve your problems, I'd suggest you uninstall it through add/remove afterwards.

If after you've explored your options for "Hide Folder," if that is the program, and gotten no good results, we'll try the DOS route.



It sure looks like it. Good sleuthing, M...!

~Edited to change image URL~

Hello Dialer,
I`ve exhausted all the options you`ve so painstakingly presented to me. Alas, no progress. The arena of last resort, DOS, may have to be employed. (I cringe at the thought that that may also be a dead end).
Hello M,
You certainly made a splash with your first foray into my file debacle. The Cleanersoft, "Hide Folder"program is definitely the culprit!! The moment I downloaded it it looked familiar. I followed the basic instructions, established a password, held my breath, and clicked on "unhide folder". My hidden files never showed up. Unfortunately, I cannot recall the password that I used originally. Might that be the reason for my lack of success at this time? Just for the sake of discussion I clicked on every possibility in the drop down menu`s: Unhide folder, unhide all folders, restore data(which gives me a list of My Documents content), Remove item, Remove all items. All to no avail, as they are presented in Gray which indicates to me that they will not come into play.
I will contact their support group but as previously mentioned, being a freebie, I dont expect a reply at best. In any event I cant tell you how much I appreciate the on-going effort that has been done on my behalf.

Duxfordmemory

Hi Dux,

What a shame that M...'s discovery didn't net you any results. You're probably right that the folder is hidden with your original password and no amount of begging, pleading, bribing, or threatening is going to convince "Hide Folder" to give it up. While you seek help from Cleanersoft, I'm preparing an explanation for you of how to use the various commands you'll need for the "DOS Solution" (starring, hmmmm, how about Julia Roberts? ). I'm writing it offline and will paste it in when you're ready for it.

Can't recall if I mentioned to you that there will not be any registry editing involved in this process.

Wait, I had a virus that was doing exactly what these files are doing. The file or in your case "files" can't be seen in Windows Explorer, even with hidden files view. But, they can be seen in some programs like a file shredder. What types of files are the ones your trying to delete?

Dialer,
Have not heard from CleanerSoft yet and probably wont. Julia Robert? Hummm.....bring her on! At this point I would accept help from Bela Lugosi. Yes, you did previously mention that the Registry would not come into play. Whew!! Not to sound too pessimistic, but I cant imagine how your DOS approach might help when I cant lay a finger on my missing files and that they only show up in the "largest files finder" screen. Furthermore, I cant do a thing with any of those files other than open them in that particular screen if you recall.

dgraziani28,
Hello, and welcome to the ongoing saga. To answer your question about the files, I have all kinds, film clips, articles, downloads, etc. They were all eaten equally by the Hide Folder program. None of them were affected by all of the above suggestions. Thanks for your interest and would appreciate any further possible solutions.

Frankly, I'm not certain if my approach will work either, but it's worth a try. Back before there were Windows and other GUI operating systems, DOS was the OS on PCs. Could easily be wrong about this, but my understanding is that all versions of Windows until Vista were still based on DOS. And almost any time you type something in the "Run" box, you're using a DOS command.

So, the first step is to see if that folder and its files will be visible in the DOS (or DOS-like) environment. Note: text for you to type will be in blue.

Go to Start > Run, type cmd in the box, and click OK.

A black window with white type in it will open up, and the last line of text should say something like this: C:\Users\Yourusername>. Since that hidden folder is in your root directory (C:), let's go there. Immediately (no spaces) after the right-pointing carat (>) type cd\ and hit the Enter key. Before you hit Enter, the line should look like this:

C:\Users\Yourusername>cd\

You should now see just a plain C:\> on the screen. Let's see what all is in there. Type dir and hit the Enter key, as in:

C:\>dir

This is what my C drive directory looks like. (Don't know why I blurred my volume serial number. Just force of habit, I guess.)



If the list of directories and files is longer than what you can see in the window, even after expanding it to full size, let me know, and I'll show you how to handle it. In the meantime, do you see anything that resembles CHKDSK.100yy? If so, does it include the umlauts (double dots) over the two y's? (ÿÿ) I'd guess not. Is it indicated as being a directory <DIR> or a file?

At this point I need to stop. Have some errands to do, and there's really no point in continuing until I know what you see in C.

BTW, you can't just copy and paste into the command line; you have to type.

[Edited to change image URL]

Dialer,
Followed your DOS instructions to the letter. CHKDSK..... did not show up. What now coach? Incidently, your little popup box surprised me. Being new to BleepingC I didn`t know you could do that.

Dang! I used an early post of yours when I suggested you look in the root folder for that chkdsk folder. Can you verify that that's the path you see it in? Also, can you see the date on the folder? I'm thinking that if we can't use the DOS command approach to delete it, maybe you can go back to a restore point that was created before that date.

Dialer,
The only path I can come up with is the one that I only see in the "largest files folders", and that is: C:\CHKDSK.......
Of course when I go to the root I find nothing, i.e.,CHKDSK. This whole mess took place close to a year ago if I recall, would that be too far back to attempt a restore? Might I cause a world of hurt if I tried?

Duxfordmemory

Forgot to comment on this. Actually, there shouldn't be a popup window, which I'd guess is advertising from the site where I uploaded the image. I'll move it to another image host. FYI, I don't see the popup myself, because I have them blocked in IE. You can do that too by clicking on Tools in the IE menu at the top of your browser, then Internet Options, the Privacy tab, check "Turn on Pop-up Blocker," and click OK.



Alas, I sincerely doubt you have a restore point that old. Let me see if I can find a way to do a search through your directories using a DOS command. I don't hold out much hope though, since you say that you "see" the folder in C:. Sigh.

In the meantime, you might want to start making copies of your data files to an external hard drive or to CD/DVD. If we're unable to delete that stuff using DOS commands, and you don't have an old enough restore point, the next logical step would be to use the system restore feature to return your computer to its factory settings. That's a pain, but not as much as reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling Vista would be.

Hmmmm ... I have one more idea that might prevent your having to do a restore. After doing a bit more research, I'll get back to you as to whether or not it might worth trying.

Dialer,
Your option of a restore to factory settings really gives me the creeps. At this point I`m inclined to live with the frustrating situation. It slows my system down considerably but I think I`m willing to live with that at this time rather than jump off the restore bridge. Am keeping my fingers crossed that there is a more comfortable solution you or someone else will come up with. Thanks so much for your continueing efforts.

Hi,

I talked with one of the moderators, who gave me some more ideas in addition to some other things I'd been considering. So let's try those before you even have to make a restore/don't restore decision.

Unfortunately, I'm having an agonizingly slow time on BC at the moment and can barely navigate in here, much less post. I'll get back to you with something substantial as soon as I can.

The first recommendation I received for you was to try a repair install. The good thing about this is that it works only on the operating system and doesn't affect any of your other programs or data files.

If you run Vista, just follow this tutorial here at BC: How to automatically repair Windows Vista using Startup Repair.

If XP, here's a page at Microsoft: Perform a Repair Installation.

Here's another page re a repair install of XP: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsys...stxprepair1.htm . Even if you have Vista or don't need this page for a reinstall of XP, it has some good general ideas about how to prepare for doing either repair install.

Are you thinking, "but it isn't Windows that's broken"? Well, we don't really know that for sure. It could be that a repair install of Windows could fix something that's keeping you from deleting those hidden files. It's definitely worth a try. I've done it both in XP and Vista, and it's not difficult at all.

There are more possibilities before the last resort. But I'll wait until you've tried this one, OK?

Hello Dialer,
The repair install as suggested in your entry sounds like a good first step. Before I delve into that however, I have some news for you. If you`ll recall, I emailed the support group of the company that makes the "Hide Folder" software that has caused me so much trouble. Well, they responded. Their instructions were to delete the Hidden Folder software and to download their "restore tool".
I did just that and here`s where I ran into another problem. A window opened titled "Restore Hidden Folder" followed by a next step: MUST FILL IN: "Select a folder to start". I`m not sure I quite understand what folder that should be. Make one up? Pick one of the missing folders? I cant do anything with any of those as previously stated.
A Readme said: "Please select a folder as the original folder before starting restore. When you find the folder you want, you need to rename it by yourself and then click restore". It`s probably very simple but I just dont get it. Thanks for any light you might be able to shine on this.

Here's my interpretation:

I think the "select a folder to start" is where you put in the folder name of the hidden folder in question: the one that says "C:\CHKDSK.100yy" with the two dots over the y's, at the appropriate point in the process give it a new name and then it should appear as a folder you can open.

Orange Blossom

Hi Dux,

I agree with Orange Blossom's interpretation. Though renaming the folder has previously not been possible, it just might be that doing so within the program's restore tool will work for you. I'd recommend using a simple name, and certainly not something with an extension, as the original folder has.

Can't wait to hear if this works!

Checked this tutorial for showing and deleting hidden files in your windows system http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/685/xp_2000...les_and_folders

Thanks, Softix. The OP tried that method early on, and it's actually unrelated to how this particular folder became invisible.

Also, to BC!

Hello Dialer & Orange Blossom:
I am definitely getting a major Excedrin headache over this. I have read your posts and am trying to interpret your interpretations. On the screen in question, where it calls for me to "select a folder to start", no matter what I type in (any ideas??) a popup appears as a result saying: "Please check if the input path is existed". Huh? I haven`t got a clue!! What I would give to have the two of you sitting here next to me. Thanks again for your continued efforts.

Duxfordmemory

I know this is frustrating for you, Dux, but we're gonna get you through it, unless you'd rather reformat at this point?

Methinks it might be time for us to get some screenshots from you. Since you can "see" that hidden folder, you should be able to get an image of it (no guarantees, of course), in the context of its full pathname. Shots of the various windows of the restore tool, including the one you mentioned above, would be useful. Whatever you'd want us to see if we were actually sitting there beside you would be good.

Here's a tutorial about How to take and share a screen shot. If you've never done this, it's not as tricky as it might appear. Here's a forum where you can practice. Also, if you really get stuck, you can just post links to your images and not worry about having them show up in your posts. (Come to think of it, that would be easier for me than to load a thread with a bunch of images in it since I'm on dialup.) If you have any questions about the process, go ahead and ask, OK?

Hi Duxfordmemory,
I m too having similar problems with these hidden folders "CHKDSK.100yy" in my D, E and F drives and I cant delete these permanently, but I recovered those files. Problems started by hiding folders using Free Hide Folders and upgrading from XP to Vista without uninstalling this program. Even after recovering the files, still these folders are remaining in 3 drives and using a lots of space. Yeah someone pointed to Free Hide Folder software for these problems and its true in my case. I am still experimenting on these. So if u find solutions plz share me too, n I too will share u.

To Dialer & Orange Blossom,
It appears that my long lived problem with the hidden files may finally be over. A contributer, CYBERSUPAM, in a PM told me about trial software called: "Delete Invalid Files." I downloaded it, ran it, and sure enough my hidden files showed up. Furthermore, wonder of wonders, I was able to delete each and every one. The one question I have is where did those files go? They are not in the Recycle Bin, its empty. In any event, I cant thank you all enough for the effort you`ve put in on my behalf.

Duxfordmemory

They probably disappeared to the same place that deleted restore points go; released to the hard-drive to be over-written.

I'm glad you got the problem solved, though perhaps not in the most satisfying way since the files are now completely gone, unless you want to invest in some expensive data recovery which is more successful if the drive isn't used.

Orange Blossom

Not like that. Every erasing softwares have their own processes to erase or delete the files. Recycle Bin is just like a dustbin from Microsoft Windows but it is not the final destination for every files after delete. Hard drive is the exact place where every files reamain and not in Recycle Bin.