Member Avatar for bbb2k4life

Ok, this juss started happening yesterday and whenever I turn on my PC, my "Common" folder opens on the startup. Any ideas of why this is happening and how to stop it? Thanks in advance.

  • 7 Contributors
  • 7 Replies
  • 572 Views
  • 5 Years Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by twinfox

Dani AI

Generated

The thread shows two common patterns: an orphaned installer/uninstaller left behind a folder that a startup entry points at (the AOL Explorer case mentioned by , which fixed the problem for and ), or a hidden startup entry launches Explorer at logon. Since and already checked the usual Startup/msconfig and Start‑menu Startup locations, the following offers deeper, safer diagnostics and recovery steps.

Confirm the folder’s exact path (Properties or the address bar) before removing anything. If the window is literally a folder named "Common" under C:\Program Files, a non‑destructive test is to rename it from an elevated prompt and reboot; example:

rem run an elevated Command Prompt
ren "C:\Program Files\Common" Common.old

If the window no longer appears after renaming, the culprit was an autorun targeting that path and removal can proceed safely (rename first to allow quick rollback).

To locate the startup entry instead of deleting files blindly, use Autoruns (Sysinternals) to inspect every logon/Explorer/Run location. Autoruns run with administrative rights, then use Ctrl+F to search for the exact folder path or the word "Common" and disable the matching entry rather than deleting files. Autoruns (Sysinternals)

If Autoruns doesn’t show the link, search the Run keys and Scheduled Tasks; example commands to list Run entries are:

reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /s | findstr /i "common"
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /s | findstr /i "common"

Check Task Scheduler for logon tasks and, if still unresolved, capture boot/logon activity with Process Monitor boot logging to see which process opens the folder. Always create a restore point or rename before deleting, and never remove the system “Common Files” folder — only delete a folder whose name is exactly "Common."

Recommended Answers

All 7 Replies

Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

Check your startup files(start>run>msconfig). Click the startup tab. Is the folder listed to open at startup? If so, uncheck it and reboot.

Member Avatar for bbb2k4life

yea i've checked it already but the file isn't listed under the start up list...any other suggestions?

Member Avatar for dodejapraveen

i am facing the same problem

Member Avatar for jbennet

go into the start menu and check the Startup folder

go into folder options and make sure that its not set to remember which wi ndows were open at logoff

Member Avatar for herekittykitty

Did you happen to have/download AOL Explorer browser then later uninstall it? That can cause this very issue.

To get rid of the Common folder, click on START > MY COMPUTER > Local Disc [C:] > Program Files

If you have Windows XP, it may tell you that the files in this directory are hidden. Click on the link provided on that page to reveal the files. The next screen will show you a group of yellow folders. In the list, click on the COMMON folder. And I stress - it will ONLY say COMMON. (NOT COMMON FILES - which is the folder sitting right next to it, so be double sure you have the right one before you go any further!!!)

Take the COMMON folder and open it to make sure there is nothing important inside. All this folder should have in it - if anything at all - is a help.dll file and help.src file. These are remnants of AOL Explorer, or whatever file you uninstalled. If these are the ONLY files inside this folder, close the folder, take the ENTIRE Common folder and drag it to your recycle bin.

Restart your computer, and the common file on startup issue should be gone.

***Again, a word of precaution to cover my donkey, DO NOT delete the Common Files folder! That is a different folder entirely, one you need! The one you're looking for simply says Common.

Best wishes,
Kitty

Member Avatar for ipeter

Did you happen to have/download AOL Explorer browser then later uninstall it? That can cause this very issue.

To get rid of the Common folder, click on START > MY COMPUTER > Local Disc [C:] > Program Files

If you have Windows XP, it may tell you that the files in this directory are hidden. Click on the link provided on that page to reveal the files. The next screen will show you a group of yellow folders. In the list, click on the COMMON folder. And I stress - it will ONLY say COMMON. (NOT COMMON FILES - which is the folder sitting right next to it, so be double sure you have the right one before you go any further!!!)

Take the COMMON folder and open it to make sure there is nothing important inside. All this folder should have in it - if anything at all - is a help.dll file and help.src file. These are remnants of AOL Explorer, or whatever file you uninstalled. If these are the ONLY files inside this folder, close the folder, take the ENTIRE Common folder and drag it to your recycle bin.

Restart your computer, and the common file on startup issue should be gone.

***Again, a word of precaution to cover my donkey, DO NOT delete the Common Files folder! That is a different folder entirely, one you need! The one you're looking for simply says Common.

Best wishes,
Kitty

This advice worked like a charm and I am forever grateful. My "COMMON" folder was empty but I still deleted it and my problem seems to be gone.
Thanks a million
ipeter

Member Avatar for twinfox

Kitty your a Genius!!! I also had complete success!!!

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.