Alt+255 command / RESOLVED

[perijon]

I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium and Internet Explorer browser 7. My question is:
Can anyone instruct me in how to delete, rename desktop folders whose names have been BLANKED OUT by using the Alt+255 command? I was advised that it could be done in DOS. I am not a DOS user, and a bit vague on it. I have tried a couple of different "DELETE programs but with no luck. I searched this forum but nothing came up about Alt+255.
Kind Regards
Perijon.

[GuruGary]

Have you tried running Pocket Killbox?

The person that told you it could be removed in DOS was probably talking about the command prompt \\.\ notation.  If Killbox doesn't work then you can try the command prompt.  Do you know exactly what characters are in the file?  From your explanation, it would be something like:
del "\\.\C:\Users\username\Desktop\file.ext"
If the file has a control character in it, then it must be entered as well, by holding down the [Alt] key, and pressing keys 255 on your keyboard's numeric keypad (or whatever the control key is).

How do you know the filename contains the Alt+255 character?

[perijon]

Thankyou for the reply. The command line is C:\Users\dell\Desktop
I typed the command Alt+255 myself, in fact I did it to 3 folders. Alt+255(first folder) Alt+255, Alt+255(second folder),Alt+255, Alt+255, Alt+255 (third folder). Problem with the third folder is that I tried to rename it a couple of times by right clicking it, then rename, and using the back space to delete any characters that were there. Now I can't remember how many times I Alt+255ed the third folder. I read that Alt+255 Ascii is not recognised by windows.When I go to the Desktop directory I can't see the folder.

Regards
perijon

[CBMatt]

Why aren't you able to delete these folders?  Did you encrypt them?  Is there anything inside of the folders or are they empty?  Under normal circumstances, you should be able to delete these folders.

You can't delete or rename them, but can you move them?

[GuruGary]

I am able to make a directory named (ascii255 character) as well as move, rename and delete it on my system from Windows Explorer, command prompt and the desktop.  I made a directory named LPT1 (using the special notation) and I am not able to rename, delete or move the file in Windows, but I don't have any problems with the [Alt]+255 directory.

Have you tried using the command completion to remove it from the command prompt?

[perijon]

Why aren't you able to delete these folders?  Did you encrypt them?  Is there anything inside of the folders or are they empty?  Under normal circumstances, you should be able to delete these folders.

You can't delete or rename them, but can you move them?

Hi, WOW, just as I was replying to GuruGary and was ready to post you popped up. GuruGary put me onto "KILLBOX", and it did the job. I managed to delete the folder from the desktop. I had to be careful the way I did it. First I went back to the folder on the desktop and right clicked to rename the folder, then I back-spaced until I was sure I got all the hidden characters. Then I downloaded "POCKET KILLBOX"abd proceeded per instructions. It has a neat little feature to the right of the command path entry box to click on so you can view the file or folder to see if you have the correct one. The only one you cannot delete or rename is the recycle bin. There is another program to do this, mentioned at:                 http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/hide-desktop-icon-text-on-windows-vista/

Thanks very much for you help!
Regards
Perijion

[perijon]

I am able to make a directory named (ascii255 character) as well as move, rename and delete it on my system from Windows Explorer, command prompt and the desktop.  I made a directory named LPT1 (using the special notation) and I am not able to rename, delete or move the file in Windows, but I don't have any problems with the [Alt]+255 directory.

Have you tried using the command completion to remove it from the command prompt?

Thanks for your great help GuruGary, please read my reply to CBMatt.
Regards
Perijon

[CBMatt]

Well, kudos to Gary.  I'm glad it's all sorted out.