How do you remove a folder from the Windows folder?

[Edgar]

By mistake, I recently created a folder titled "Recent" within the Windows system folder. Ever since, it keeps filling up with copies of documents I use and all sorts of shadowy (not a sharp image) copies of those documents also appear in my Word files. When I try to correct my error and delete this "Recent" folder, the computer won't let me do it. It gives me this message: ""Recent" is a Windows system folder and is required for Windows to run properly. It cannot be deleted. Help

[AnnMarie]

Welcome to CTH Edgar. Try deleting the folder in Safe Mode (restart your PC and tap f8 as it restarts).

If that doesnt work, can you confirm that the full filepath is C:\Windows\System\Recent before we go any further please.

[Edgar]

Thank you for the suggestion, AnnMarie. I tried it but it didn't work. Gave me the same message. About the file path--and please excuse my ignorance of computers--I get to "Recent" by going to "my computer," clicking on the Windows folder and then locating the "Recent" folder between two folders labeled PrintHood and SAMPLES. How else can I determine the file path? I have also tried to delete this file by going into DOS but it doesn't show up there as a folder within the Windows folder. It simiply isn't there. And many of the "shadow" copies that I find among the Word documents I use are labeled "copy of" and include a $ in the title. Are these temporary files? Sometimes they disappear when I exit the program. Does any of this help? Thank you.
Edgar

[AnnMarie]

The files with a "$" in the title are temporary files. The others are shortcuts.

The C:\Windows\Recent folder is a valid system folder. What makes you think that you created it?

[Edgar]

Not long ago (I'm trying to avoid the word recently) I thought it would be a good idea to put my latest files into one folder so that I could easily copy them to my laptop when moving temporarily to a different location. I distinctly remember making a "Recent" folder and I think I put it by mistake in Windows. You say it was already a legitimate folder. Why does it not show up in DOS? Also, I never had these temp files showing up all over the place before I did that. My laptop (which uses Windows XP) doesn't do this. If Recent is indeed a legit folder, do I have to live with these shadowy temp files that, by the way, multiply if I try to erase them? Thank you again, AnnMarie
Edgar

[AnnMarie]

You can clean out the folder. See here (http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=FA1046410) for how to do this in WinME.

[Edgar]

Thanks, AnnMarie. I will try this. However, I have cleared the Recent folder before by simply deleting all that was in there. But as I keep using the computer, it just fills up again with more documents. How will this way of clearing it help?
Edgar

[AnnMarie]

I have cleared the Recent folder before by simply deleting all that was in there

I wasnt aware of that.

as I keep using the computer, it just fills up again with more documents.

Yes, that is by design.

[Edgar]

OK AnnMarie, to recap. I know I created a Recent file and I thought I put in Windows. Ever since, I have been getting these temp files all over the place, so I attribute them to my mistakenly having put the Recent folder in Windows. I can erase the content of Recent, which makes no difference in terms of temp piles sprouting among my Word documents (which, I repeat, never happened before my misadventure with Recent) but I can't erase the Recent folder itself--which I thought was the solution. You tell me that Recent is a legitimate folder. Can you then think why I am suddenly deluged with these temp files? Thank you
Edgar

[AnnMarie]

Edgar are all those temp files still there after Word has closed? The majority should be deleted. When you use Word, it creates a variety of temporary files on the hard drive and Windows makes all kinds of records about the files you open. Neither can be prevented. See Description of how Word creates temporary files (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/211632/EN-US/).

[Edgar]

Thank you, AnnMarie. This clears up the mystery, then. I have to live with these files. They usually disappear when I leave Word, though occasionally I will find copies in My Documents. I still can't figure out why the Recent folder doesn't show up in DOS. Are you sure it's a legitimate Windows ME folder? I checked my old Windows 98 and it's not there. Nor do I find it in my laptop, which runs Windows XP. I was sure I had created this folder by mistake. And when I run a search for Recent I find that I also have another Recent folder in Windows/Application Data/Microsoft/Office/Recent whose content mirrors the Recent folder in Windows/Recent.
Edgar

[Tom]

My little piece of info on this - as part of Me's System File Protection, protected files are stored in the C:/Windows/Recent folder. Got this info looking into changing the sys.ini file, which on Me always has a backup copy in Recent (I assume as part of Me's System Restore function). 98 has it's own way to address system files, and XP does it's System File Protection different than Me.

[AnnMarie]

Thanks Jintan. :)

Nor do I find it in my laptop, which runs Windows XP

XP has a "My Recent Documents" folder.

[Tom]

Any day I get to be pedantic and get thanked for it is a good day for me.