left over files in my ProgramData folder

figo · Post by **figo** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:28 pm

Can someone please explain to me why after I perform a uninstall, is there a folder left over in my "C:\\ProgramData" labeled "~0" with the following files in it:

mia.lib
my_install.exe

NOTE:
my_install.exe is the installaware file I generated.

Do I have to manually remove the folder? just seems odd that it the folder is renamed from from the product GUID to "~0".

thanks,

- L

MichaelNesmith · Post by **MichaelNesmith** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:36 pm

Reboot and they will magically disappear

figo · Post by **figo** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:39 pm

MichaelNesmith wrote:Reboot and they will magically disappear

So this is normal behavior? just seems odd.

MichaelNesmith · Post by **MichaelNesmith** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:48 am

Why is it odd? Files that are in use by the uninstaller cannot be deleted while the uninstaller itself is running, so they are removed on the next reboot.

To compensate for the case that the user might want to re-install before rebooting, the folder is also renamed, such that after a re-install and then an eventual reboot, the re-installed files are not accidentally removed.

We've thought of everything

DanStutzman · Post by **DanStutzman** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:07 am

Figo:

If you go into ($Reg_) HKLM\\System\\CurrentControlSet\\Control\\Session Manager look for:

PendingFileRenameOperations REG_MULTI_SZ "$DATA$" or

$Reg_ & \\FileRenameOperationsThis is where Windows stores ON REBOOT Operations, whether it is deleting locked files, deleting temporary caches, etc.

Dan