Forum Discussion
Strange File Structure
Trying to clean up a USB drive and ran into something strange.
D:\>dir "New folder"
Volume in drive D is ESD-USB
Volume Serial Number is A862-A0DD
Directory of D:\New folder
01/12/2026 05:22 AM <DIR> .
01/12/2026 05:22 AM <DIR> ..
0 File(s) 0 bytes
2 Dir(s) 26,539,491,328 bytes free
But I can't delete "New Folder".
Then:
D:\>dir "New folder" /q /r
Volume in drive D is ESD-USB
Volume Serial Number is A862-A0DD
Directory of D:\New folder
01/12/2026 05:22 AM <DIR> \Everyone .
01/12/2026 05:22 AM <DIR> \Everyone ..
0 File(s) 0 bytes
2 Dir(s) 26,539,491,328 bytes free
Seems to be hidden folders.
D:\>cd "New folder"
D:\New folder>dir
Volume in drive D is ESD-USB
Volume Serial Number is A862-A0DD
Directory of D:\New folder
01/12/2026 05:22 AM <DIR> .
01/12/2026 05:22 AM <DIR> ..
0 File(s) 0 bytes
2 Dir(s) 26,539,491,328 bytes free
D:\New folder>dir /q /r
Volume in drive D is ESD-USB
Volume Serial Number is A862-A0DD
Directory of D:\New folder
01/12/2026 05:22 AM <DIR> \Everyone .
01/12/2026 05:22 AM <DIR> \Everyone ..
0 File(s) 0 bytes
2 Dir(s) 26,539,491,328 bytes free
D:\New folder>dir \Everyone
Volume in drive D is ESD-USB
Volume Serial Number is A862-A0DD
Directory of D:\
File Not Found
D:\New folder>dir \Everyone /q /r
Volume in drive D is ESD-USB
Volume Serial Number is A862-A0DD
Directory of D:\
File Not Found
What is going on?
1 Reply
What error is shown?
The folder may not be deletable because of the existence of some program or service that keeps the folder open (another File Explorer or console, for example). Try to close other programs or even restart the computer.
The “Everyone” is probably a rezult of /q, which means “Display the owner of the file”.
If nothing else on USB drive, it can be formatted, but make sure that everything has been copied.
