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How to delete a 3 dot extension and why?
I did not post this in 3 places to be rude or waste time; I posted to get
the best answer to a puzzling problem from the sources I ID as the best groups; and if someone is perhaps not happy then in a friendly pleasant way please "bring it" 'cause I can take cyberheat in an effort to learn. I'm on an XPSP2 box but it's not my problem but it got bandied about on one of the MSFT chat formats and without a good answer. I suspect many of the knowledgable Word regulars or people like David Candy on the XP groups will be able to knock this out of the park. The question is how to delete a folder whose extension has three dots. When the individual tried to delete it, he got the file is in use box. I suggested the following and the person did not try any of them fully but finally got it deleted using: Purge IE http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm I suspect Purge IE could use methods in common with something below but I'm not sure. It was the only one I know that was tried. I suggested: 1) Reboot 2) Boot into Safe Mode and Delete it from Windows Explorer which rightly or wrongly I believed would enhance chances of a Safe Mode Delete, Does Windows Explorer enhance deletions? It's worked for me on occassion. 3) I suggested Doug Knox's Delete an Undeletable File and the individual wouldn't try it because he said it would not work on a "Win 32 System." I took this term to mean a 32 bit Windows and did not understand the objection. Someone correct me if I misconstrued the term please. http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_undeletable_file.htm 4) I suggested this MSKB: You cannot delete a file or a folder on an NTFS file system volume http://support.microsoft.com/Default...1201211201 20 5) Finally could Doug's method and the Purge IE method and the KB be any of the same methods? Also I found the reading a little tough and wondered about Part 6 in the KB. TIA, Chad Harris |
#2
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Hi Chad - From my Blog, addy in Sig, below. (I suspect you'd want to use
Delete Invalid File for this particular situation): "Sometimes the tools below will find files which they are unable to delete because they are in use. A program called Copylock, here, http://noeld.com/programs.asp?cat=misc can aid in the process of "replacing, moving, renaming or deleting one or many files which are currently in use (e.g. system files like comctl32.dll, or virus/trojan files.)" Another is Killbox, he http://www.downloads.subratam.org/KillBox.zip A third which is a bit different but often very useful is Delete Invalid File, he http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm which handles invalid/UNC file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use problem. A fourth useful program is Unlocker, he ..http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ " Simply right click the folder or file and select Unlocker. If the folder or file is locked, a window listing of lockers will appear. Simply select the lockers and click Unlock and you are done!" Works as advertised and is particularly helpful in identifying malware components which are 'protecting' each other." -- Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP My Blog, Defending Your Machine, he http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/ "Chad Harris" wrote in message I did not post this in 3 places to be rude or waste time; I posted to get the best answer to a puzzling problem from the sources I ID as the best groups; and if someone is perhaps not happy then in a friendly pleasant way please "bring it" 'cause I can take cyberheat in an effort to learn. I'm on an XPSP2 box but it's not my problem but it got bandied about on one of the MSFT chat formats and without a good answer. I suspect many of the knowledgable Word regulars or people like David Candy on the XP groups will be able to knock this out of the park. The question is how to delete a folder whose extension has three dots. When the individual tried to delete it, he got the file is in use box. I suggested the following and the person did not try any of them fully but finally got it deleted using: Purge IE http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm I suspect Purge IE could use methods in common with something below but I'm not sure. It was the only one I know that was tried. I suggested: 1) Reboot 2) Boot into Safe Mode and Delete it from Windows Explorer which rightly or wrongly I believed would enhance chances of a Safe Mode Delete, Does Windows Explorer enhance deletions? It's worked for me on occassion. 3) I suggested Doug Knox's Delete an Undeletable File and the individual wouldn't try it because he said it would not work on a "Win 32 System." I took this term to mean a 32 bit Windows and did not understand the objection. Someone correct me if I misconstrued the term please. http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_undeletable_file.htm 4) I suggested this MSKB: You cannot delete a file or a folder on an NTFS file system volume http://support.microsoft.com/Default...1201211201 20 5) Finally could Doug's method and the Purge IE method and the KB be any of the same methods? Also I found the reading a little tough and wondered about Part 6 in the KB. TIA, Chad Harris |
#3
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Jim--
I feel fortunate to get such a complete post in such rapid fire time and I will explore and save every link of course and look forward to using your site and its resources. But Jim, invalid file or not, do you know how to ID where the folder with the ... extension comes from. I don't know much about ASCI II and quite honestly I read a lot of science jargon and have for years but I found the KB terminology pretty tough going. I think you can understand how that might have been and I read a lot of MSKBs in helping some on groups and chats. Jim do you know what the 3 dotter was or if there are thousands of permutations and combinations of invalid files, set me straight. Maybe it has no name. Also I might add of course I suggested system restore but the guy shot back he didn't like it. I find in my travels the most common system restore delusion is that it impacts documents or that it will throw away a gamut of things it doesn't. I collect articles on it including those from the MSFT SR teams and in my experience it does not lose even the shortcuts and hotfixes since the last restore point that it advertises. Of course in rare cases, I'm sure system restore could lose everything, and I am reminded with a smile of this new halarious long treastise from Mr. Ballmer's legal team now appearing in some KBs at the bottom like this one: RAM, Virtual Memory, Pagefile and all that stuff http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;555223 LOL this reminds me of all the direct advertisingTV commercial formats for prescription meds where the poor perspective patient hears a small sound bite about drug x only to be quickly deluged with an unending list of all the PDR's side effects in a big multicenter study. The commercials border somewhere in my mind between surreal and totally absurd. If you can fill me in on the 3 dot or Part 6 of this MSKB applying, please let me know. The KB I meant for Part 6 was: You cannot delete a file or a folder on an NTFS file system volume http://support.microsoft.com/Default...1201211201 20 Thanks again very much for the excellent links JIm I would not have found on my own. Best, Chad Harris __________________________________________________ _ "Jim Byrd" wrote in message ... Hi Chad - From my Blog, addy in Sig, below. (I suspect you'd want to use Delete Invalid File for this particular situation): "Sometimes the tools below will find files which they are unable to delete because they are in use. A program called Copylock, here, http://noeld.com/programs.asp?cat=misc can aid in the process of "replacing, moving, renaming or deleting one or many files which are currently in use (e.g. system files like comctl32.dll, or virus/trojan files.)" Another is Killbox, he http://www.downloads.subratam.org/KillBox.zip A third which is a bit different but often very useful is Delete Invalid File, he http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm which handles invalid/UNC file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use problem. A fourth useful program is Unlocker, he .http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ " Simply right click the folder or file and select Unlocker. If the folder or file is locked, a window listing of lockers will appear. Simply select the lockers and click Unlock and you are done!" Works as advertised and is particularly helpful in identifying malware components which are 'protecting' each other." -- Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP My Blog, Defending Your Machine, he http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/ "Chad Harris" wrote in message I did not post this in 3 places to be rude or waste time; I posted to get the best answer to a puzzling problem from the sources I ID as the best groups; and if someone is perhaps not happy then in a friendly pleasant way please "bring it" 'cause I can take cyberheat in an effort to learn. I'm on an XPSP2 box but it's not my problem but it got bandied about on one of the MSFT chat formats and without a good answer. I suspect many of the knowledgable Word regulars or people like David Candy on the XP groups will be able to knock this out of the park. The question is how to delete a folder whose extension has three dots. When the individual tried to delete it, he got the file is in use box. I suggested the following and the person did not try any of them fully but finally got it deleted using: Purge IE http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm I suspect Purge IE could use methods in common with something below but I'm not sure. It was the only one I know that was tried. I suggested: 1) Reboot 2) Boot into Safe Mode and Delete it from Windows Explorer which rightly or wrongly I believed would enhance chances of a Safe Mode Delete, Does Windows Explorer enhance deletions? It's worked for me on occassion. 3) I suggested Doug Knox's Delete an Undeletable File and the individual wouldn't try it because he said it would not work on a "Win 32 System." I took this term to mean a 32 bit Windows and did not understand the objection. Someone correct me if I misconstrued the term please. http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_undeletable_file.htm 4) I suggested this MSKB: You cannot delete a file or a folder on an NTFS file system volume http://support.microsoft.com/Default...1201211201 20 5) Finally could Doug's method and the Purge IE method and the KB be any of the same methods? Also I found the reading a little tough and wondered about Part 6 in the KB. TIA, Chad Harris |
#4
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Hi Chad - Sorry, I've no idea right off hand as to the source of your errant
object (I'm not even sure from your description that this is a legitimate folder, BTW - I suspect you may have meant file.), and AFAIK, there can be no such legal extension. It would appear to be an illegal name, since, while .'s are permissible characters (even more than one are legal in an extension - see http://www.file-ext.com/character.html), it isn't legal to terminate with one or more of them. From KB 320081 section 6 that you referred to: "You may not be able to delete a file if the file name includes an invalid name (for example, the file name has a trailing space or a trailing period or the file name is made up of a space only)." And yes, there are thousands of permutations of illegal names. -- Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP My Blog, Defending Your Machine, he http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/ "Chad Harris" wrote in message Jim-- I feel fortunate to get such a complete post in such rapid fire time and I will explore and save every link of course and look forward to using your site and its resources. But Jim, invalid file or not, do you know how to ID where the folder with the ... extension comes from. I don't know much about ASCI II and quite honestly I read a lot of science jargon and have for years but I found the KB terminology pretty tough going. I think you can understand how that might have been and I read a lot of MSKBs in helping some on groups and chats. Jim do you know what the 3 dotter was or if there are thousands of permutations and combinations of invalid files, set me straight. Maybe it has no name. Also I might add of course I suggested system restore but the guy shot back he didn't like it. I find in my travels the most common system restore delusion is that it impacts documents or that it will throw away a gamut of things it doesn't. I collect articles on it including those from the MSFT SR teams and in my experience it does not lose even the shortcuts and hotfixes since the last restore point that it advertises. Of course in rare cases, I'm sure system restore could lose everything, and I am reminded with a smile of this new halarious long treastise from Mr. Ballmer's legal team now appearing in some KBs at the bottom like this one: RAM, Virtual Memory, Pagefile and all that stuff http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;555223 LOL this reminds me of all the direct advertisingTV commercial formats for prescription meds where the poor perspective patient hears a small sound bite about drug x only to be quickly deluged with an unending list of all the PDR's side effects in a big multicenter study. The commercials border somewhere in my mind between surreal and totally absurd. If you can fill me in on the 3 dot or Part 6 of this MSKB applying, please let me know. The KB I meant for Part 6 was: You cannot delete a file or a folder on an NTFS file system volume http://support.microsoft.com/Default...1201211201 20 Thanks again very much for the excellent links JIm I would not have found on my own. Best, Chad Harris __________________________________________________ _ "Jim Byrd" wrote in message ... Hi Chad - From my Blog, addy in Sig, below. (I suspect you'd want to use Delete Invalid File for this particular situation): "Sometimes the tools below will find files which they are unable to delete because they are in use. A program called Copylock, here, http://noeld.com/programs.asp?cat=misc can aid in the process of "replacing, moving, renaming or deleting one or many files which are currently in use (e.g. system files like comctl32.dll, or virus/trojan files.)" Another is Killbox, he http://www.downloads.subratam.org/KillBox.zip A third which is a bit different but often very useful is Delete Invalid File, he http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm which handles invalid/UNC file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use problem. A fourth useful program is Unlocker, he .http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ " Simply right click the folder or file and select Unlocker. If the folder or file is locked, a window listing of lockers will appear. Simply select the lockers and click Unlock and you are done!" Works as advertised and is particularly helpful in identifying malware components which are 'protecting' each other." -- Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP My Blog, Defending Your Machine, he http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/ "Chad Harris" wrote in message I did not post this in 3 places to be rude or waste time; I posted to get the best answer to a puzzling problem from the sources I ID as the best groups; and if someone is perhaps not happy then in a friendly pleasant way please "bring it" 'cause I can take cyberheat in an effort to learn. I'm on an XPSP2 box but it's not my problem but it got bandied about on one of the MSFT chat formats and without a good answer. I suspect many of the knowledgable Word regulars or people like David Candy on the XP groups will be able to knock this out of the park. The question is how to delete a folder whose extension has three dots. When the individual tried to delete it, he got the file is in use box. I suggested the following and the person did not try any of them fully but finally got it deleted using: Purge IE http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm I suspect Purge IE could use methods in common with something below but I'm not sure. It was the only one I know that was tried. I suggested: 1) Reboot 2) Boot into Safe Mode and Delete it from Windows Explorer which rightly or wrongly I believed would enhance chances of a Safe Mode Delete, Does Windows Explorer enhance deletions? It's worked for me on occassion. 3) I suggested Doug Knox's Delete an Undeletable File and the individual wouldn't try it because he said it would not work on a "Win 32 System." I took this term to mean a 32 bit Windows and did not understand the objection. Someone correct me if I misconstrued the term please. http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_undeletable_file.htm 4) I suggested this MSKB: You cannot delete a file or a folder on an NTFS file system volume http://support.microsoft.com/Default...1201211201 20 5) Finally could Doug's method and the Purge IE method and the KB be any of the same methods? Also I found the reading a little tough and wondered about Part 6 in the KB. TIA, Chad Harris |
#5
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FWIW, I suspect most of your answers will come from
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general, since this doesn't seem to be a problem related to Word at all, much less formatting long documents, regardless of whether or not you are a new Word user. -- Suzanne S. Barnhill Microsoft MVP (Word) Words into Type Fairhope, Alabama USA Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so all may benefit. "Chad Harris" wrote in message ... I did not post this in 3 places to be rude or waste time; I posted to get the best answer to a puzzling problem from the sources I ID as the best groups; and if someone is perhaps not happy then in a friendly pleasant way please "bring it" 'cause I can take cyberheat in an effort to learn. I'm on an XPSP2 box but it's not my problem but it got bandied about on one of the MSFT chat formats and without a good answer. I suspect many of the knowledgable Word regulars or people like David Candy on the XP groups will be able to knock this out of the park. The question is how to delete a folder whose extension has three dots. When the individual tried to delete it, he got the file is in use box. I suggested the following and the person did not try any of them fully but finally got it deleted using: Purge IE http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm I suspect Purge IE could use methods in common with something below but I'm not sure. It was the only one I know that was tried. I suggested: 1) Reboot 2) Boot into Safe Mode and Delete it from Windows Explorer which rightly or wrongly I believed would enhance chances of a Safe Mode Delete, Does Windows Explorer enhance deletions? It's worked for me on occassion. 3) I suggested Doug Knox's Delete an Undeletable File and the individual wouldn't try it because he said it would not work on a "Win 32 System." I took this term to mean a 32 bit Windows and did not understand the objection. Someone correct me if I misconstrued the term please. http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_undeletable_file.htm 4) I suggested this MSKB: You cannot delete a file or a folder on an NTFS file system volume http://support.microsoft.com/Default...1201211201 20 5) Finally could Doug's method and the Purge IE method and the KB be any of the same methods? Also I found the reading a little tough and wondered about Part 6 in the KB. TIA, Chad Harris |
#6
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Suzanne--sorry--I had no idea what produced the 3 dot extension for this
individual, and the long docs choice must seem puzzling to say the least, and the more I read I wonder if spyware or even something on the order or virus, womr, blended threat could cause this, and it may mean that if it was not a valid file there could be a large number of causes. Part of the key must be in why one program could remove it and others couldn't but without some testing,you couldn't be sure. Best, Chad Harris. "Suzanne S. Barnhill" wrote in message ... FWIW, I suspect most of your answers will come from microsoft.public.windowsxp.general, since this doesn't seem to be a problem related to Word at all, much less formatting long documents, regardless of whether or not you are a new Word user. -- Suzanne S. Barnhill Microsoft MVP (Word) Words into Type Fairhope, Alabama USA Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so all may benefit. "Chad Harris" wrote in message ... I did not post this in 3 places to be rude or waste time; I posted to get the best answer to a puzzling problem from the sources I ID as the best groups; and if someone is perhaps not happy then in a friendly pleasant way please "bring it" 'cause I can take cyberheat in an effort to learn. I'm on an XPSP2 box but it's not my problem but it got bandied about on one of the MSFT chat formats and without a good answer. I suspect many of the knowledgable Word regulars or people like David Candy on the XP groups will be able to knock this out of the park. The question is how to delete a folder whose extension has three dots. When the individual tried to delete it, he got the file is in use box. I suggested the following and the person did not try any of them fully but finally got it deleted using: Purge IE http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm I suspect Purge IE could use methods in common with something below but I'm not sure. It was the only one I know that was tried. I suggested: 1) Reboot 2) Boot into Safe Mode and Delete it from Windows Explorer which rightly or wrongly I believed would enhance chances of a Safe Mode Delete, Does Windows Explorer enhance deletions? It's worked for me on occassion. 3) I suggested Doug Knox's Delete an Undeletable File and the individual wouldn't try it because he said it would not work on a "Win 32 System." I took this term to mean a 32 bit Windows and did not understand the objection. Someone correct me if I misconstrued the term please. http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_undeletable_file.htm 4) I suggested this MSKB: You cannot delete a file or a folder on an NTFS file system volume http://support.microsoft.com/Default...1201211201 20 5) Finally could Doug's method and the Purge IE method and the KB be any of the same methods? Also I found the reading a little tough and wondered about Part 6 in the KB. TIA, Chad Harris |
#7
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In ,
Chad Harris typed: The question is how to delete a folder whose extension has three dots. When the individual tried to delete it, he got the file is in use box. Almost certainly, the extension is *not* three dots. You're just seeing part of the name, and the three dots is an ellipsis, telling you there is more. Using My Computer or Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder containing the file. Then move your mouse to the line above the list of files, the line that contains the headings like "Name," "File Type," and "Date Created." Put your mouse cursor on the divider line that separates the "Name" heading from the heading to its right and drag that bar to the right. That will expand the size of the name field and permit you to see the full name. If he was unable to delete it, it was probably simply that the file was in use. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup |
#8
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Ken thanks much. This clears it up and I appreciate it and the respnoses and
the links. Sorry Suzanne--will get you a word question the next time for sure. Jim Byrd your links will come in handy for a lot of people and I enjoy your site. Best Chad "Ken Blake" wrote in message ... In , Chad Harris typed: The question is how to delete a folder whose extension has three dots. When the individual tried to delete it, he got the file is in use box. Almost certainly, the extension is *not* three dots. You're just seeing part of the name, and the three dots is an ellipsis, telling you there is more. Using My Computer or Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder containing the file. Then move your mouse to the line above the list of files, the line that contains the headings like "Name," "File Type," and "Date Created." Put your mouse cursor on the divider line that separates the "Name" heading from the heading to its right and drag that bar to the right. That will expand the size of the name field and permit you to see the full name. If he was unable to delete it, it was probably simply that the file was in use. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup |
#9
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In ,
Chad Harris typed: Ken thanks much. This clears it up and I appreciate it and the You're welcome, Chad. Glad to help. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup respnoses and the links. Sorry Suzanne--will get you a word question the next time for sure. Jim Byrd your links will come in handy for a lot of people and I enjoy your site. Best Chad "Ken Blake" wrote in message ... In , Chad Harris typed: The question is how to delete a folder whose extension has three dots. When the individual tried to delete it, he got the file is in use box. Almost certainly, the extension is *not* three dots. You're just seeing part of the name, and the three dots is an ellipsis, telling you there is more. Using My Computer or Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder containing the file. Then move your mouse to the line above the list of files, the line that contains the headings like "Name," "File Type," and "Date Created." Put your mouse cursor on the divider line that separates the "Name" heading from the heading to its right and drag that bar to the right. That will expand the size of the name field and permit you to see the full name. If he was unable to delete it, it was probably simply that the file was in use. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup |
#10
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Hi Chad - Glad you found it useful.
-- Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP My Blog, Defending Your Machine, he http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/ "Chad Harris" wrote in message Ken thanks much. This clears it up and I appreciate it and the respnoses and the links. Sorry Suzanne--will get you a word question the next time for sure. Jim Byrd your links will come in handy for a lot of people and I enjoy your site. Best Chad "Ken Blake" wrote in message ... In , Chad Harris typed: The question is how to delete a folder whose extension has three dots. When the individual tried to delete it, he got the file is in use box. Almost certainly, the extension is *not* three dots. You're just seeing part of the name, and the three dots is an ellipsis, telling you there is more. Using My Computer or Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder containing the file. Then move your mouse to the line above the list of files, the line that contains the headings like "Name," "File Type," and "Date Created." Put your mouse cursor on the divider line that separates the "Name" heading from the heading to its right and drag that bar to the right. That will expand the size of the name field and permit you to see the full name. If he was unable to delete it, it was probably simply that the file was in use. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup |
#11
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www.tooLongPath.com saved me lot of time for solving this problem
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#12
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Chad Harris shared this with us in microsoft.public.word.newusers:
Ken thanks much. This clears it up and I appreciate it and the respnoses and the links. Sorry Suzanne--will get you a word question the next time for sure. Jim Byrd your links will come in handy for a lot of people and I enjoy your site. Best Chad Chad, Next time, use the Followup header. It is there for a purpose. ;-) NOTICE: Followup set to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general -- Amedee Van Gasse |