Why do these blank folders keep appearing?
Q As a long-time subscriber to Computeractive, I always read these help pages avidly, and now I have a problem of my own. Since uninstalling Microsoft Office 365 from my Windows 10 computer, I’ve been finding two unnamed folders regularly on my Windows Desktop. I delete them but they keep reappearing. When I click on them to see what they contain, nothing happens. Have you any advice on why this is happening, and how I might rid myself of them permanently? Carl Hughes
A This is caused by some unsquashed bug in Office, and one that’s existed since at least Office 2010. The easiest solution is to make use of the Repair option in the ‘Uninstall a program’ section of Control Panel. However, you’ve already uninstalled Office 365.
If your Office 365 subscription is still active, then we suggest first reinstalling it. That alone might fix the problem. If not, once installed click Start, type control panel and then click Control Panel. Now, under Programs, click ‘Uninstall a program’. In the displayed list find Microsoft Office, click to select it, then click Change, choose Repair (see screenshot) and follow the prompts. When it’s done, uninstall Office in the usual way.
If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to apply a registry hack, so back up your PC first. Now press Windows key+r, type regedit and press Enter. In the left-hand pane navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\ Windows\currentversion\explorer\ Desktop\namespace. Still in the lefthand pane, select the branch called 0875DCB6-C686-4243-9432ADCCF0B9F2D7, then hit Delete (Del) and click Yes to confirm. Repeat for 138508BC-1E03-49EA-9C8FEA9E1D05D65D. Now restart.