empty folder appears on desktop

Question

Some months ago I created a folder on the desktop for quick use. One day an empty clone appeared. Since then I have moved the working folder from the desktop to a folder in the Docs folder. The empty clone continues to appear on an irregular basis, sometimes twice a day. I delete it and it pops up again in a day or in a few hours. What causes this and how can I kill it forever? Thank you for any suggestions

gryjhnhpe · Answer

I assume the clone has the same Folder name as the one you created. ?
If not you could check MSCONFIG , Startup programs , perhaps a program has been added with a delay routine.
Use Run & type msconfig then click OK or press Enter key.

volcano11 · Answer

jonjoncow, What is the name of the folder that keeps reappearing? Steve

jonjoncow · Answer

Sorry,

I should have been more specific. As a clone it has the same name as the working folder I created on purpose.

It was a work related project folder with all sorts of documents. The original and the clone are not system folders or program folders.

I even changed the name of the original folder to be able to distinguish between the two. The clone did not take on the new name and even with the original with a modified name and placed deep in sub folders in the My documents folder the clone continues to appear on the desktop as it did at the beginning.

I just keep throwing it into the Recycle Bin and emptying the Bin but to no avail. The clone has been appearing since June 2003 5 months or so now. It is a real annoyance.

Thanks for asking.

gryjhnhpe · Answer

You could try running SFC , which checks protected System Files for corruption & if found replaces them from reinstall..XP CD .
If it prompts for XP CD , hold Shift key while inserting XP CD to stop Auto play.
Use Start > Run & type
sfc /scannow (space after sfc)

or try System Restore to point before clone folder shows up.

jonjoncow · Answer

Gary,

Thanks for the suggestion. However, I ran it twice and there was no need to run setup, there was no indication that the protected files are corrupted.

I would go crazy going to a restore point 6 or 7 months ago so that is not really a solution. I hope some one out there has seen this and might have an idea of what to do.

Thanks again for the suggestion even if it didn't work.

Jon

gryjhnhpe · Answer

@jonjoncow wrote:

Gary, I would go crazy going to a restore point 6 or 7 months ago so that is not really a solution.

If you haven't added any new software , created new Folders or changed Desktop then Auto created Restore Points will be the same.
Also if you restore it then gives an option to undo Restore until reboot after System Restore auto reboot.

Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 12-03-2003 07:38 AM

Windows General

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