How to delete protected system folders?

[JMorton6]

I've got an old secondary hard disk that has a few old system directories that are no longer in use (/windows, /program files, etc). The OS that the system boots with isn't even on that hard disk. Anyway, I've tried deleting these old unused folders but it keeps saying I need permission from my own username, which makes no sense. I even tried to change the ownership permissions under the security tab, and it does say that I have full control... but yet when I try to delete it says again that I need permission from myself. Piece of junk! I even tried using Eraser's 'erase on restart' feature, and... nada. Didn't even see Eraser try, or get an error report or anything. Anyway, I want the damn folders gone for good.. how do I wipe em out? Thanks!

 

[C1]

Just copy the files you want over to a newly created temp folder on your first or main drive (if you want to keep the structure then just drag from windows exlorer). Then delete the partition on the second drive and create a new formatted one, then drag the structure or what you want over from the temp folder on the first drive to the newly created partition on the second drive.

Although it sounds like a lot of trouble, this method provides an opportunity to do any needed file inventory, house cleaning and reorganizing. Probably find stuff you didnt even remember that you had.

 

[masteryoda34]

boot with Linux and use rm -rf

 

[JMorton6]

I can't delete the partition - it has a ton of data, more than my main disk.

 

[C1]

You might try Free NTFS DOS. It allows W/R access to NTFS partitions and hopefully should allow file/folder deletion. Ive never used it, but it is free to try.

 

[sm625]

From an elevated command prompt, try:

attrib -r D:\*.* /s
attrib -s D:\*.* /s
attrib -h D:\*.* /s

where 'D' is the drive letter you are working with.

 

[raf051888]

You can use EMCO MoveOnBoot to delete those files. You will have to set the action then restart your pc.

 

[JMorton6]

You can use EMCO MoveOnBoot to delete those files. You will have to set the action then restart your pc.

Jesus christ, still nothing. Help, you guys. Why is it so damn hard to delete 2 folders!

From MoveOnBoot:


Error Schedule Folder for deletion Could not save the boot actions data to the underlying operating system registry. Access is denied. Error code: 5. The changes made will not be implemented on the next Windows restart. 3/5/2012 9:08:46 AM

 

[Dude111]

I have wondered if I could delete lets say the "Printhood" folder from Windows Directory.. THERE IS NOTHING IN IT!! (It says its a system folder and needed)

Anyway of overriding that and removing it?? (Just for shits and giggles)

 

[JMorton6]

Anyone? Pls help. I have 100GB+ of shit that I can't get rid of. I need that space for other stuff.

 

[Bubbaleone]

Anyone? Pls help. I have 100GB+ of shit that I can't get rid of. I need that space for other stuff.

Lets make this as simple as possible. You can spend sixty bucks for the Active@ Boot Disk Suite which will enable you to access and delete/erase the offending folders, or you can do the same things for free with KNOPPIX Live CD.

It doesn't care one bit about your Windows file permissions being all screwed up. Once you boot the live CD and play with it a little, you can delete/erase folders and files to your heart's content.

The file is an ISO that's 697 MB in size. It fits on a regular 700 MB CD. It is HIGHLY recommended to burn the ISO at the lowest speed. I've included the link for the MD5 file so you do a hash check on the ISO to make sure it wasn't corrupted during the download.

KNOPPIX v6.7 Live CD

MD5 Checksum

Do a little homework first so you know what you're doing: Welcome to KNOPPIX

This tut is about How To Backup Files With KNOPPIX , but it's got good screenshots and steps you through how to access all your Windows folders and files.

 

[sm625]

There has to be a way to do this without downloading 700 MB. Are you saying that changing the attributes didnt work?

And when you ran EMCO MoveOnBoot, did you run that program as administrator?

 

[kalrith]

Don't know if it will work, but I found this:

Following are the steps that worked for me:

1. Create a new folder named "Windows.old" in the drive in which the old Windows files are there.


2. Cut and paste all folders including Windows folder the contents of which you want to delete in Windows.old folder.


3. Run Disk Cleanup from start.


4. Select the drive in which Windows.old is there.


5. Select Previous Windows Installation. Done!

and this on taking ownership.

 

[compcons]

There has to be a way to do this without downloading 700 MB. Are you saying that changing the attributes didnt work?

And when you ran EMCO MoveOnBoot, did you run that program as administrator?

So rather than spending 10 mintes downloading a file and creating a CD or USB drive that will allow you to delte the files, you will spend days waiting for some other answer to do this in some other way?

Are you propogating your new windows ownership correctly? Did you try the command line syntax? The Linux option is the simplest option. Plus, you'll have a nifty Linux distribution to play with anytime you want...

EH

 

[imagoon]

From an Admin cmd:

TAKEOWN /F D:\Windows /R /A /D Y
icacls D:\Windows /grant administrators:F /T
RD /S /Q d:\windows

Where "d:\windows" is the directory you want to remove.

And people laugh about "windows" and "command line" in the same sentence.