The above stated directory: 9e184e9b442c76102d613e97963bde is on a partition
that I now want to format and use for other purposes. If I try to move itto
copy/move this directory to another location, I get the famous 'Access
Denied' message. I'm not sure why the OS is choosing ramdon drives as in this
cas of a product update but I want to accomplish two things if possible:
1) Move this directory to another location and be able to use that
location if this directory is ever called upon for future updates.
2) change whatever registry value that might exist to help
establish a dedicated location for future updates and upgrades.
It would be great if someone can help me solve this problem
Here is how it all works.
I say "delete" a lot, but you can replace delete with rename or move
or whatever is appropriate for you (I would delete the annoying
olders).
When some programs (including Windows programs) installs things, it
may create a temporary folder consisting of 20-30 random letters and
numbers in the root drive of the volume with the most free space.
This explains why sometimes the folders are on your C drive or on some
other drive - which one has the most free space?
For example you may see a folder similar to or called:
D:\9470bb12e8a4f3447657236478e41c5
There may be other folders and files under that main temporary
folder.
These should normally be removed when the installation is complete,
but sometimes they are not - especially if the installation fails.
They are harmless but annoying. You may think something is wrong when
there is not or be afraid the files are really needed. To avoid
confusion you can delete the temporary folders.
If your installation failed or the installation does not delete the
randomly named folder when it completes running the installation again
will make another randomly named folder.
You may be able to identify the installation (for curiosity) by
looking at some of the folder contents and decide if that installation
was okay, just delete the files/folders. If the installation did not
work properly for some reason, running the installation again will
just create a new randomly named temporary folder so the old
temporary
folder is really of no use.
Sometimes the folders are stubborn to delete. Even if you are an
Administrator on the system you may get a "sharing violation", "access
denied", "being used" or similar type message when trying to remove
the temporary folders. Installations sometimes use different
permissions than a regular user with Administrator group might have.
There are many methods to try to remove the folders and some involve
third party programs to install or changing certain Windows settings
that may compromise your system security if you don't change them back
when you are done.
Booting your system in Safe Mode (pressing the F8 key repeatedly right
before XP tries to load) is a good method to try and remove the
folders since it doesn't involve making any changes to your system
configuration or downloading any third party programs.
If Safe Mode does not work you can change the security of the folder
to give your user Full Control over the folder by browsing to it in
Explorer, click Tools, Folder Options, View and in the Advanced
settings window, uncheck (at the bottom) Use simple file sharing
(recommended), and click OK. This turns off the recommended simple
file sharing on your computer so you will want to turn it back on when
you are done.
Right click the stubborn folder, Properties and click the now visible
Security tab. Select your user name and check the box to allow Full
Control, click OK to apply the changes.
Now try to manipulate/delete the folder.
It is a good idea to go back into Explorer and turn back on (Enable)
Simple file sharing (recommended) when you have finished.
If none of the above work, try a popular third party tool called
Unlocker.
Unlocker can be download from here:
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
Unlocker can be uninstalled when you are finished using it.
Reboot when you are finished to be sure the annoying folders are
really gone.
