Member Avatar for Francois7

I discovered this folder during a "cookies" search and can't get rid of it:

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Cookies

I also discovered this:

org/apache/commons/httpclient/cookie

which I cannot access. I did find three .jar files in a temporary directory, which I deleted.

How do I get rid of this stuff? How do I prevent it from recurring?

Many Thanks,
Frank

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Short answer: the folder itself is a Windows per‑user system folder and Windows will recreate it — you can remove the cookie files but not the special folder. That folder is normally hidden (Explorer hides protected/system files) and the cookie files are tracked by Windows (index.dat) and by browsers; the Java-looking path you found (org/apache/commons/httpclient/cookie) is a package inside an application JAR, not a real folder on disk. (learn.microsoft.com)

How to safely look and remove cookie files: temporarily enable View → Show hidden files and folders, then uncheck “Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)” in Folder Options, navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Cookies and delete the .txt cookie files (do not delete unknown system files; then re-enable the protections). Deleting cookie files clears the data; the folder will be recreated as needed. (learn.microsoft.com)

About the org/apache/... entries and the .jar files you found: those names are Java package paths from Apache HttpClient inside a JAR. Java apps (or Java Web Start) cache and unpack JARs into temp locations; removing the temp JARs stops that instance but the app will recreate them when it runs. Use the Java Control Panel (Temporary Internet Files / Settings → Delete Files) to clear Java’s cache, and inspect suspicious JARs with an archive viewer (rename .jar to .zip or open with a ZIP tool) to read MANIFEST.MF rather than executing them. (docs.oracle.com)

Follow‑up checks: run up‑to‑date malware scans (as suggested) and use Sysinternals Autoruns / Process Explorer to find programs that recreate files on startup or scheduled tasks and to see which process has a handle on the temp/JAR files. If you’re on Vista/7-era OS, remember protected‑mode/Low folders change cookie locations (as noted). After cleanup, re‑enable “Hide protected operating system files” to avoid accidental damage. (learn.microsoft.com)

Notes tied to earlier replies: was right that browser/OS manage cookies — clearing via the browser removes cookie files — but the extra steps above explain why you couldn’t see the folder and how to find the Java artifacts you discovered.

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Member Avatar for Unsaid

I'm preety sure that you can clear out the C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Cookies folder but you cannot delete it. You have to clear it through internet explorer.

Member Avatar for Francois7

I can't even see the folder in Windows Explorer.

Do you know what this stuff is?

Many Thanks,
Frank

Member Avatar for Comodore

If you're just cleaning out junk files, here's a great program that will take care of that for you.

www.ccleaner.com

It takes care of the usual places- cookies, temporary files, recycle bin- and other, more discrete places as well. To top it off, it will clean up your registry and help with programs on
startup and removing programs.


If you're suspicious of any leftover files or folders, you may want to run some virus/malware scans.

I recommend A-squared Free, Avast! antivirus, and AVG Antispyware if you want to download programs.

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/download/ , http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html ,

Respectively.

If you want a less space-taking solution, you may try some free online scans. I recommend Trendmicro Housecall, Kaspersky, and Windows Safety Scanner, but you may pick as you like:

Kaspersky Free Virus Scan http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

Trend Micro HouseCall http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Windows Safety Scanner

BitDefender Free Online Scanner http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

McAfee FreeScan http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp?affid=294

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Symantec Security Check

Panda ActiveScan


Hope this helps!

--The Comodore

Member Avatar for happyandyk

In Vista, Microsoft has decided to give the status of a Protected System Files / Folder to the cache, so you may not be able to access it easily. You wont be able to delete the Cookies folders as they are system folders.

CCleaner is a good freeware program you can use.

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