Removing Downloaded Program Files?

Good evening everyone---

First, I will state that I'm using WinXP Home and IE6...

I was wondering if anyone could please tell me how to get the files within the C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files folder to appear? It used to display all the active x controls and plugins that I had downloaded, but now it shows zero items? However when I right click on the folder and choose properties it says it contains 6 files.

I would like to get these files to appear, so that I can right click on them and choose the remove option.

If it isn't possible to get these items to appear, is there some command I can execute in order to remove/unregister these active x controls/plugins?

Much Thanks in advance!

P.s. Sorry if I posted this message in the wrong forum category.

open the folder>tools>Folder Options...>View>Show hidden files

Go to the folder. Click on tools. Click on folder option. Click on the tab "View" Click on show hidden files and folders. Click apply.

I tried this, but still nothing...hmm. Any ideas?

They should show up by default and those are programs downloaded, like Yahoo Pool and etc. ... if you're trying to get rid of your internet images or something like that please post...

= Cheers, jag291 =

how about the old dos fail safe... open a command prompt go to the directory in question and attrib -h *

Yeah, they should show up by default...that's why I'm so puzzled. I even downloaded a few active x controls to see if they would appear, but they don't. I can navigate to the folder through a command prompt and then type DIR and it lists all the files, but I just cant see them in that Downloaded Program Files folder --- weird!

Thanks HTRegz, I'll try that...

is "hide protected operating system files" checked? a control is a system file!?!

The files in the Downloaded Program files are not hidden (except for desktop.ini).
However these are the files that some activeX component would like to use, not the activeX entry itself.
The activeX entries are held in the registry, which is what is displayed when you open this folder.
Try this for size as to how to remove an activeX control: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=154850

So I suspect the registry entries have been deleted without cleaning up the folder, which explains why you have files left there.
Selecting 'Properties' and 'Dependency' from this folder (for a valid registry entry) will tell you which files are required for that activeX control.
No valid registry entries means this folder will display as empty under WinXP, whereas a DIR will display the files that were originally required.

Tedob1: Nope, the "hide protected operating system files" option is not checked.

darkes: I took a look in the registry, and I found an entry for each active x control that should be displayed in the Downloaded Program Files folder, but I guess they aren't corresponding with each other properly.

I checked out that microsoft support link that you posted, and it suggested that I remove the active x control/plugins, by removing it (if listed) under add/remove programs in the control panel...but alas they weren't listed. It also suggested navigating to the Downloaded Program Files folder and right clicking on the active x control that I want to remove, by right-clicking on the file and choosing 'Remove'...ha, but there isn't anything to right-click on. I just can't win! :rofl:

If you can view the files in DOS then just remove them in DOS.
Do you have to remove them using the GUI?

r3b00+: Yeah, I can see them in DOS.....but I need to visually see them so that I can right-click on them and choose the 'Remove' option (to fully remove not only the files I'm able to see, but all of their dependicies on my system too). :(

I just wish there was some command or something that does the same thing as right-clicking on these files and choosing remove.

Just a thought, but is the entry in your registry for activeX controls pointing to the normal place?

If you search the registry for "ActiveXCache", you'll see where WinXP is storing the files - the default being "Downloaded Program Files". When you download an activeX control, you will normally see files added to this folder - the only exception being an activeX control that doesn't need any additional files.

If you want to start afresh you can delete the activeX entries from the registry, together with the entire "Downloaded Program Files" folder, which will get re-created. However, I'd advise doing a backup of your registry and the "Downloaded Program Files" folder before doing this :)

darkes: I searched the registry for 'ActiveXCache', and found several entries. The entries indicated that it was indeed storing the files in the default Downloaded Program Files folder...hmm I'm just still stumped as to why they aren't appearing...

Someone suggested that I download a program called "Hijack This!" from http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/

Are you guys familiar with "Hijack This!"? If so, is it reliabe and safe to use?

Thanks again for all of your help! Can't tell you how much I appreciate it!!!!!

Don’t know anything about that program.

There are some other things you can check.
Try searching for *.ocx - this will list all the activeX controls you have installed. I guess the ones you installed recently didn’t need any additional files in the Downloaded program files folder.

You can get a good idea of what those files in the Downloaded program files folder are.
To do this open the command prompt, and type cd "\windows\downloaded program files" (with the quotes!). Now typing dir will list the files for you.
You’ll probably find some dll & exe files, and perhaps some inf files. The inf files are text files and you can view them by typing type xxx.inf, which will echo the text back to your command prompt window. The names of the files & the comments in the inf file should give you a clue as to what is lurking there.

You can also try searching the registry for references to the exe and dll files, which may also help you work out what they are. Most likely scenario is that the 6 files you have there have somehow got out of sync with the activeX control, and you can probably safely delete them.

Just wanted to update you all concerning the problem I had...

I don't know how or why, but the files have FINALLY appeared like they are supposed to!

I guess my computer got scared knowing that we were all working on the case! :rofl:

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate the help!