Navigation section
ghost files
About this tag
Ghost files are files or folders that appear to exist in Windows but cannot be accessed, deleted, or even seen in directory listings. Common causes include incomplete file restores from backup software, leftover entries after moving or deleting items, and permissions issues. Users report ghost folders with grayed-out icons, files that vanish from File Explorer but are found by search, and phantom items in the Recycle Bin or Network Places. Troubleshooting steps often involve using Command Prompt as administrator, checking hidden files, or applying Windows updates that address ghost file creation. The tag covers user experiences and solutions for removing these stubborn remnants across various Windows versions.
-
Ghost folder - unusable?
I did a file restore from a backup program (Retrospect), but I cannot seem to be able to do anything with the folder it created, even delete it. The folder icon is grayed out..? I do have permissions on it, and am the owner, and also have admin privileges. Opening a cmd prompt as admin, and...- guthrie
- Thread
- admin rights backup command prompt desktop files file management file recovery ghost files unusable folder windows issues
- Replies: 22
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
-
D
Windows 7 Disc drives acting funky & trouble burning dvd
Have perused the topics but did not find a particular post specific to my concern. First of all, having trouble burning dvd's and that lead to the current issue. The process does not seem to be straightforward. Built a machine this past spring with 2 disc drives: Blu-ray Intel SSDSC2CW12...- dorley01
- Thread
- asus drive audio cd blu-ray burning process data management disc drives disk management drive recognition dvd burning file deletion ghost files media player movie maker pc build ssd storage issues troubleshooting user support windows issues
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
-
A new file that has the same file name as a ghost file can be created without displaying a prompt on
Fixes an issue in which a new file can be created unexpectedly without displaying a prompt on a Windows 7-based or Windows Server 2008 R2-based client computer. This issue occurs when there is already a ghost file in the same location that has the same... Link Removed- News
- Thread
- client computer file creation file issues ghost files prompt server 2008 strange behavior windows 7
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Knowledge Base (KB)
-
A
Windows 7 Resolving Hidden Space on Second Drive After Windows 7 Installation
Hp came with two drives. vista 64 set it back to factory specs and installed win7 64. seem okay. just noticed that the other drive is empty - correct. but properties says there is 43GB there! it is set up to show hidden files. how do i tell win7 64 that hey! the drive is empty. thanks- anon125
- Thread
- disk properties drive issues factory reset ghost files hidden files storage troubleshooting windows 7 windows vista
- Replies: 18
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
-
I
Windows 7 Help with Windows Picture Viewer
Good people! I've stumbled upon a problem. I was quick-editing pictures with the help of Picture viewer (essentially just rotating the pictures and then jumping on to the next picture). I then noticed that the pictures disappeared from their parent folder. This happened to about 10 pictures...- indie852
- Thread
- file management folder issues ghost files help request image editing photo viewer picture rotation update user experience windows
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Windows Software
-
Windows 7 Recycle Bin ghost files.
I was doing a virus scan and saw there are like 20,000 files located inside the C:\$Recycle.Bin folder that were being scanned. I went to the folder to delete these files and there are no files to be found. Where is all this crap located and how do I wipe it out permanently?- Kip Ekkert
- Thread
- cleanup file deletion file management ghost files hidden files permanent delete recycle bin storage virus scan windows
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
-
T
Windows 7 duplicate/ghost/broken folders in Network Places
First off I like to say I like this forum so Im posting here.:D I am having a problem with my network places being over crowd on winows 7, Vista, an XP machines. I woul like to get ri of all the broken an duplicate folders. Heres the story, I have a media server in one room. Over the years...- Tentacle Master
- Thread
- broken link drive letter duplicate folders external drive file management ghost files media server network places storage troubleshooting windows 7 windows vista windows xp
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Networking
-
W
Windows 7 How to Delete Ghost Files in Windows Documents Directory?
I have what I would call “Ghost Files” in my Documents directory. These were left over after I moved the original document to another location and I can’t seem to be able to delete them. They are a combination of MS Word documents, video or Excel items. The pop-up box tells me “This is no...- w7nubie
- Thread
- computer help delete documents excel file management ghost files microsoft word pop-up errors troubleshooting windows
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
-
Windows 7 Deleted files still visible on Win Explorer
I have a new (3 months) Toshiba laptop, with Windows 7 64 bit running on it. A couple of weeks after I got it, I had finished downloading a couple of torrents, I deleted the torrent files. However, I saw that the deleted files are still visible in Windows Explorer and I can't get rid of them...- silkmaze
- Thread
- file deletion file explorer file properties file recovery ghost files shadow files tech support torrent toshiba windows 7
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
-
P
Windows 7 Win 7 64bit + iTunes + 2nd Gen iPod Touch = Fail
Did a clean install of the OS and installed the 64bit version of iTunes 8.1.1 and things were looking decent for a little while until I tried to sync a video to the iPod. The transfers always get part way through and then they stall. A few minutes later iTunes tosses an error saying the 'disk...- photomankc
- Thread
- 64-bit apple services clean install compatibility device connectivity device management devices failure file transfer ghost files ipod itunes optimistic service configuration software issues sync troubleshooting user experience windows 7
- Replies: 5
- Forum: Windows Software
