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I am trying to delete a file but everytime I attempt to remove it it duplicates(copies) it many times sometimes 10 times. Each time I attempt to delete the copies it copies it again taking up needed HD space. It does not do this in all files just some. Do not know if I am doing something stupid or thre is a viral or internal problem. I did install MOZY Home a month ago. Would appreciate help.
State name of file in question.
and/or
Look up the file name in question with a search engine.
Get your WinXP CD handy, then go to Start>Run and type "sfc /scannow" without the quotes (you don't get any report from the System File Checker, it just silently replaces and corrupt or missing system files that it finds).
TFSP--Try to delete using Unlocker.
Get it from here http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4660.html
Not from developer's site.
More information would be helpful.
How are you trying to delete the file? Are you dragging it to the Recycle Bin? Are you right-clicking on it and selecting pop-up menu item? Are you right-clicking and selecting Delete with the Shift key pressed to delete instead of send to the Recycle Bin? Have you tried the Command Prompt DEL command on the file? Depending on the method used, the problem might be in different areas. If ALL methods produce the same results - duplication of the file, then malware is suspected. If only the righ-click methods cause duplication, then there are other possible causes.
UPDATE!
I was able to delete all of my duplicated files the other day BUT.......after a day my 'puter began duplicating my files again (1) (2) (3) (4) times over each day since. When I delete them(anyway I can do this quickly?) how can I prevent the duplication from continuing which could eventually wipe out my HD space? Befuddled!
Answer some of the questions that have been asked above;)
Run this and see if it finds anything:
Malwarebytes
I ran the full scan last night and no virus or malware found. Thanks for the advice though. This problem affects my favorites too. What a pain!:mad:
Are you deleting files YOU created or are you trying to delete "folders" that Windows created and is protecting so you can't mess up?
More information is needed to diagnose this issue.
1. What method are you using to delete the files?
2. What files are you deleting?
3. What folders are these files located in?
It might be time to run the hard drive manufacturer's diagnostic software, just to eliminate any hardware issues. It still looks like either malware or a Windows or software problem though.
I am deleting duplicate files with Easy Duplicate Finder.
Files are ones that I have created.
The files are in My Documents.
Easy Duplicate Finder appears at first glance to be legitimate software. I have not used if or checked it out however. Possibilities include:
1. You got an infected copy from a less than reliable download source.
2. It is not compatible with your version of Windows
3. It should be renamed Easy Duplicate Creator
4. An option in the program that you do not want is enabled
Maybe, but Have a look!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPp4YGMY-KM
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMMMRlnWtf4
This program is overly complex. I suggest you stop using this confusing program, open My Documents right on the desktop, and click SHIFT+DELETE for anything you want to delete. That will bypass the Recycle Bin when deleting.
After fixing this mess, switch to Auslogics Duplicate Finder, which is more intuitive.
http://www.auslogics.com/en/software...nder/download/
Maybe I did not make myself clear. The program Easy Duplicate Finder works great. It eliminates all of the duplicate files. No complaint there.
My problem is the duplicate files continue to appear even after I send them to the recycle bin or eliminate them directly from EDF.
How do I keep them from coming back? :confused:
Are you sure you're using the program as stated in its Help file?
Are you using a trial version?
What happens if you delete a duplicate file directly from My Documents on the desktop? Does it return?
I am using the advanced program. The trial program only eliminates a small number of files. I had to upgrade for $29.95. I just eliminated about 600 duplicates using that program.
When I delete from My Documents they delete to the Recycle Bin and I remove them from there. This is some weird problem.
Sorry about the misunderstanding.
Did you run the utility suggested by SuperSparks?
What happens if you empty the Recycle bin and try it again?
Did you install any other programs since the installation? Could be a conflict, since the system is able to delete in the normal manner.
Let me see if I understand the issue.
When the duplicate files re-appear, what names do they have? Are they all the same file size? What date and time stamps do they have?
What happens if you delete the duplicates, and then reboot into Safe Mode and just leave the computer idle for a while? Do the duplicates return? If they do not, then you have something running in normal mode that is creating the files.
Download this utility:
Sysinternals Suite
You can use Process Monitor and File Monitor to try and find out exactly what is creating those files.
I have downloaded S Suite. What do I do after that? Where do I find Process Monitor, File Monitor??
jdc: They have the identical names, file size, date time as original except they have (1); (1)(1); (1)(1)(1); (2)(1)(1), etc.
TODAY The duplicates have not reappeared but my 'puter has not been on very long.
once you have extracted all the Sysinternals files from he zip folder, you will find all the utilities inside as stand-alone executables - all you need to do is double click whatever you need. Process Monitor is called "Procmon.exe", and Process Explorer is called "procexp.exe". Forget File Monitor, it is an obsolete utility, I shouldn't have mentioned it. You will find help files alongside the executables as well.
I have a confession to make. First thanks everyone who has tried to help me. I hope I have not wasted too much of your time.
You see we have been keeping our 9 year old grandson for a few weeks prior to school. His parents were tending to some private business.
He was playing with the computer and opened Mozy Backup and started clicking on everything. Must have clicked on Restore Files numerous times. After removing all duplicates thru East Duplicate Finder and CHANGING our PASSWORD I have had no issues.
I am truly sorry about that and his privileges using our computer is over until he can become more responsible. :o
There is no need to apologise, these things happen. I'm just glad that you found the problem.
Don't be too hard on the lad, that's how they learn. It might be a good idea to give him his own separate user account though, with Standard User privileges. That's what I've done for my 7 year old niece, and I don't have any problems with her messing up anything important :)
SuperSparks, that's a great idea. We will consider it. Thanks!