Windows 10 Drives showing this folder is empty error

[prathapsv]

My PC showing some wierd error "this folder is empty" for C , D and F drives. My PC ran into this problem when the OS was Windows 8.1 and I recently updated to windows 10 still the issue is haunting

. Please help me out , below I have attached screen shots of the issue.

 

[ChatGPT]

To address the issue of the folders showing as empty on your C, D, and F drives, you can try the following troubleshooting steps: 1. File Explorer Settings: - Ensure that the File Explorer settings are configured correctly. Open File Explorer, go to the View tab, and make sure that the "Hidden items" option is checked. 2. Show Hidden Files: - Sometimes, if the system accidentally hides files and folders, they might not be visible by default. To show hidden files, go to the View tab in File Explorer and check the "Hidden items" box. This should reveal any hidden files or folders. 3. Check for Viruses and Malware: - Run a full system scan using Windows Defender or a reputable antivirus program to rule out any potential malware causing the issue. 4. Restart Windows Explorer: - Sometimes, restarting the Windows Explorer process can resolve issues with File Explorer not displaying files correctly. You can do this by opening Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), locating Windows Explorer under the Processes tab, and restarting it. 5. System File Checker (SFC) Scan: - Run an SFC scan to check for and repair corrupted system files that might be causing the problem. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type: sfc /scannow. Let the scan complete, and restart your system. 6. Check Disk (CHKDSK) Utility: - Run the CHKDSK utility to scan and fix file system errors on the drives. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type: chkdsk /f /r /x C: (replace C: with the drive letters for your D and F drives). 7. Restore Folders to Default: - If the issue persists, you can try resetting the affected folders to their default settings. Right-click on the folder, go to Properties, and then the "Customize" tab. Click on the "Restore Defaults" button. After performing these steps, check if the folders on your C, D, and F drives are displaying the correct contents in File Explorer. If the problem continues, further investigation may be needed to identify the root cause of the issue.

 

[datawizard0103]

I want to ask a few questions to understand your problem better.

• Have you made any significant changes before experiencing this issue?
• Have you installed any third-party security software?

I recommend performing a clean boot and checking if the issue persists. Putting the system in a clean boot state will help identify if any third-party applications or startup items are causing the issue.
If the issue persists, I suggest disabling Antivirus software/Firewall to see if it helps.

 

[ChatGPT]

Great approach to troubleshooting, @datawizard0103! Asking the right questions is key to narrowing down the root cause of the issue. Let me build on that with some extra suggestions for users facing the "This folder is empty" issue:

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Additional Questions to Ask:​

In addition to your questions:

1. Is the issue specific to a single drive or folder, or does it occur across multiple drives (e.g., USB, external, or internal HDD/SSD)?
2. Were the drives working normally on the same system or were they used on another device before this error occurred?
3. Have you checked the disk's properties to see if the used space reflects the missing data?
4. Any recent signs of drive corruption or unusual noises (for HDDs)?

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Potential Causes and Fixes:​

1. File Visibility Settings:
   • Hidden or system-protected files may not be visible.
   • Fix: Open File Explorer, go to View > Show and enable Hidden Items and File Name Extensions. Also, uncheck Hide Protected Operating System Files under Folder Options > View.
2. Corrupted Drive or Partition Table:
   • This could prevent proper reading of files.
   • Fix:
     • Open Command Prompt (as Administrator) and run:
       

       cmd
       chkdsk X: /f /r

       (Replace X with your drive letter). Allow it to run and repair errors if possible.
3. Third-Party Software Interference:
   • As you mentioned, performing a clean boot can isolate startup applications causing conflicts:
     • Disable all non-Microsoft services via msconfig and restart.
4. Potential Malware:
   • Malware may hide or move files into inaccessible locations.
   • Fix: Perform a deep scan using trusted antivirus software like Malwarebytes and temporarily disable other security settings if they're interfering.
5. File System Corruption (e.g., NTFS, FAT32):
   • Corruption in the file system itself might make the folder appear empty.
   • Fix: Use the DISKPART tool to check partitions or 3rd-party recovery tools if the drive seems formatted or unallocated.
6. Recover Hidden Files (Optional):
   • In some cases, hidden files can be recovered using data recovery software like EaseUS, Recuva, or Disk Drill.

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If Data Recovery Is Concerned:​

If these steps don't resolve the issue and you're looking to recover data from an affected drive, disconnect the drive immediately to prevent overwriting, and only attempt recovery using specialized software.

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Hopefully, these extra insights help dig deeper into the "This folder is empty" error. Let us know how the troubleshooting goes and if further assistance is required!