Since a few weeks I get the error message after login:
File Name Warning
There is a file of folder on your computer called "C:\Program" which
could cause certain applications to not function correctly. Renaming it
to "c:\Program1" would solve this problem. Would you like to rename
it now?
[ ] Don't perform this check at startupClicking the Rename button results in the error message
Folder In Use
The action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in
another program
Close the folder or file and try againTherefore I started Process Explorer and did a Handle search for C:\Program. Of course it finds a lot of items for C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86), so I sorted them by name. There is no handle listed for C:\Program.
Next I assumed it might be a permission issue and tried to take ownership of the folder. Unfortunately this does not work as well. I get
Error applying security An error occurred while applying security information to: C:\Program Access is denied.followed by
Windows Security
Unable to set new owner on Program.
Access is denied.The current owner is the administrators group and I am a member of that group. Checking the effective permissions, I have full control (all checkmarks checked). I can create files and delete files inside the folder.
There are no files inside the folder, neither in Explorer nor DOS (dir /a) nor Search Everything.
Some websites say I have malware, but I doubt that. I'm not visiting dangerous websites and I have an up to date virus scanner.
How do I delete the C:\Program folder?
Note: I don't have access to the BIOS, so can't boot from a CD drive or USB stick.
I know that I could disassemble the PC and connect the hard drive to a different PC, attach it as an external drive and then make changes to the disk. However, I'm looking for a built-in solution.
35 Answers
Have you tried booting into Safe Mode to see if it makes a difference? This should help rule out third-party programs and shell extensions that could could be interfering.
To use Safe Mode, restart your computer and hold F8 just before Windows starts to load.
It could possibly be McAfee access protection keeping you from deleting the folder C:\Program\
- Disable Access Protection.
- Click Start, Programs, McAfee, VirusScan Enterprise, VirusScan Console.
- Right-click Access Protection and select Disable.
- Leave the Console open.
- Delete the folder C:\Program\
- Enable Access Protection.
- Click Start, Programs, McAfee, VirusScan Enterprise, VirusScan Console.
- Right-click Access Protection and select Enable.
- Close the VirusScan console.
If you have access to registry, you can try to add this file for automatic removal upon reboot. To do this:
- Start -> Run
- Type in regedit, and press ENTER
- Goto
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager - Create a new
Multi-Stringvalue:PendingFileRenameOperations - Enter
\??\C:\Programsas the data - Press
OK - Right-click on the key, click
Modify Binary Data - At the end of the hex string, add
0000(4 zeros which represent an empty string) - Press OK
- Restart your computer
Windows will try to remove the file upon restarting.
Source:
1Maybe Unlocker could help you.
1The easiest way would be to use some Linux on a USB drive (with ntfs-3g support), e.g. System Rescue CD. This way you don't have to hassle with Windows NTFS Security or any Trojan which might conceal the file from you.
- Boot to Linux
- Mount your Windows partition with ntfs-3g
- Get into the GUI (for SysRescCD: Enter
startxafter bootup) - Open the File Explorer
- Go to
/mnt/windows - Find that
Programfile or folder and delete it - Exit the GUI
- Type
haltto shutdown Linux and your computer - Remove the USB drive and boot into your Windows
