Deleting Files With Reserved Windows Names

If you ever run across a folder with a Windows reserved name, Windows Explorer will not allow you to delete it. This can be a huge annoyance as the folder exists, yet is “invisible” to folder manipulation commands.

If you have ever run a Windows based FTP server, this is a common problem as wanna-be “hackerz” will create folders with these reserved names and upload their crap in the embedded folders. This is usually a result of having an anonymous public FTP (which you really shouldn’t do).

In order to get rid of the folders with reserved Windows names, check out this Microsoft article. I have used this information to remove reserved name folders on both Windows Server 2000 and 2003 and it works like a champ. Just make sure you type the path correctly as the files the command deletes do not get placed in the recycle bin.

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njaneardude
First day I was handed “the keys” to the network, boss calls up, somethings wrong, network is sluggish. Long story short our W2K web server was being used as a warez depository.
I was astounded to see folders with no names! That wouldn’t delete! That were major gigs in size.
A little Googling and deleted the folders.
Anyhoos, I would hope all of the security patches out there for W2K/2K3 eleviates the Anonmynous Logon by now!