If you say you relocated the folder but 'VLC doesn't know'... There's something more going on.

First, check in your VLC options (Tools > Preferences > Video) where the Video Snapshot Directory is located. Can you post a screenshot of the properties of that folder? Maybe it's inside a protected folder, hard to tell without more info.

Just in case of a corrupt folder or similar, try installing Unlocker. http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/unlocker.html
Install with Context menu activated. Right click on folder and try moving or renaming it. See how you go.

On Edit: another thought. Do you have file extension names turned on? If not, turn them on and see what extension this file/folder has.

Thanks for responding.

And it doesn't compute at the VLC form either https://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=134399

I don't have the path wrong. The path to the screenshot is an ordinary path to an ordinary folder in My Docs... and it works fine if I link VLC to it. But if I rename that folder... and save a screenshot... VLC creates its own container... which isn't something Win 8.1 of 10 recognize yet Windows will happily add files to it though VLC.

Files ext are always visible.. and there are none. Properties > permissions tell me I have complete control (This is a single user machine).

I have Unlocker and all it says are no locking handles found.

This container acts like a normal Win file in that I can move, delete, rename it. I just can't open whatever it is.

Typically when a program can't find a path it WILL create a new folder. VLC is trying... but not succeeding.

What about trying 'Open With' then try a picture editor or VLC, or even context menu 'add to VLC playlist'. This may work to view your pix but does not explain the root problem. VLC is excellent but has the occasional bug and maybe you've found one.

If all else fails I'd be doing a thorough uninstall with Revo and trying again.

and dos commands to do a global copy of the files from the inaccesable folder to one you know you can access? I realize this doesn't answer your question but it may allow you to retrieve your files. Good luck.

Or use a copy handler (Tera Copy) to 'copy to'. If there's a problem with the files or folder, TeraCopy will give an error message.

I tried the original folder and the DIR command works fine showing all the files.

I'll create a new "folder" with some screen shots from a movie and upload it to any file sharing site anyone thinks can be trusted.

I can't move a file into any of these folders except though the screenshot feature in VLC... the program that created this odd container.

While the container shows up in Win Explorer... and has properties like size, date created etc... it does NOT show up if I open another program... say a video program, and try to either access a file within... or if I want to save something to that "container". It doesn't show up on that list even though it must be working off Windows Explorer.

These aren't containers after all... and when I was seeing them grow in size, it was because I had been increased screen resolutions of the source files. These are jpegs without extensions... and VLC just would overwrite the existing file giving it differing file sizes.

So I want to give myself a big kick in the ass for not catching on.

Thanks to all who gave some feedback.