How to delete....

[shajt]

I have trouble deleting some folders from Windows7 installation.

On primary C disk Windows7 is installed and I'm using that OS, it's also a boot disk.

On D disk there is Win7 64-bit installation and I can't delete it's folders (Documents and Settings, Program Files, Windows..) , I cant format that drive because I have 400gb of files I need. Tried 'Take Ownership' and that didnt worked, Unlocker can't do nothing about it too, so how can I delete those folders ?

[DKT27]

You cannot delete them like that. First backup the whole data that is on D drive. Then format it.

[shajt]

Well I knew that but thought maybe there is some way to do it without formating, maybe from recovery console or something like that ?

[tonyblair]

Try MBAM it has a special tool to delete protected files (I did try it under Vista, but not with Windows7)

By the way, If you are using dual-boot (Windows7 32bit and Windows7 64bit) do not format D drive. You will not be able

to boot Windows7 32bit. 

[shought]

Try this:

Take ownership (also of stuff 'inside'/'below' the folder), change the permissions of Administrator to 'All access'(or something of the like) and then try to delete it.

[shajt]

That is one of the problems, that D drive contains boot sector (first I was using that OS on D and that drive was active), then I've installed win7 on C drive and I dont need that 64-bit OS on D drive anymore, I can make C drive bootable allright and format D but it's a pain as I dont have free space anywhere to backup 400gb.

MBAM is working, thanks, but the trouble is it can only delete one file, not folders, maybe I dont see it but if I need to delete one file at the time it would take me ages to delete all :)

Can I select folder somehow ?

[tonyblair]

That is one of the problems, that D drive contains boot sector (first I was using that OS on D and that drive was active), then I've installed win7 on C drive and I dont need that 64-bit OS on D drive anymore, I can make C drive bootable allright and format D but it's a pain as I dont have free space anywhere to backup 400gb.

MBAM is working, thanks, but the trouble is it can only delete one file, not folders, maybe I dont see it but if I need to delete one file at the time it would take me ages to delete all :)

Can I select folder somehow ?

No, alas.

Did you try to delete the files inside a folder (so to empty it) before deleting the folder itself ? Sometimes it works.

[shajt]

Did you try to delete the files inside a folder (so to empty it) before deleting the folder itself ? Sometimes it works.

Yes, access denied. Only MBAM (File assassin) can delete it so far, too bad there is no option to select multi files.

[tonyblair]

"first I was using that OS on D and that drive was active"

Ok now I begin understanding. It was curious for me that you cannot delete these folders when the OS who owns them is inactive.

But with what you did on drive D and after that on drive C, Windows7 on drive C has also the ownership on the folders of the D drive.

Well to delete the folders, now you need to run another OS, so Windows7 32bit and Windows7 64bit will be inactive.

1- with an external media

2- by reinstalling windows7 (to kill the existing multi-boot). There is no harm here for your datas.

[shajt]

I was afraid of that, well...I'll try to do it with some LiveCD Linux.

@shought, tried what you said, didnt worked.

Thanks for replys guys.

[DKT27]

Can a software called Unlocker work here?

[RadioActive]

Can a software called Unlocker work here?

Was just about to suggest it, it might help...

[shajt]

Unlocker was the first thing to try, it was able to delete something but only small part. I would say that about 75% is still there (about 15gb)

[HX1]

I think you are better off trying the boot and delete from Live CD or even a BartPE CD..

[tonyblair]

I think you are better off trying the boot and delete from Live CD or even a BartPE CD..

@shajt

I agree with 'heath28m. But be ready when you delete "windows" folder in drive D there is a possibility that Windows7 will not boot.

So go smooth. Delete folder by folder and try to reboot Windows7. If a problem arise, then paste back the folder deleted (make a copy of it before deleting).

Cheers :)

[shajt]

OK, will do, I have this situation for a month now, so there is no rush, I'm gonna download BartPE (don't wonna mess with linux) and do this, but when .. I don't know, will report here results when it's done ^_^

Meanwhile I'm gonna try to google something about this, I mean if one utility can do this (one file at the time) I don't see why this can't be done automatically (to select all files in folder and execute same delete operation in batch or something for all that files)

[tonyblair]

Now there is another solution (it needs a screwdriver), If you are working with a desk PC.

unplug your HD and connect it to another PC (temporarily). You will be able to delete what ever you want.

I did that to repair an MBR.

[shajt]

I solved it, it's similiar to what shought said but here is the proper way :

Important thing is to Take Ownership of that folder, easy way to do that is via context menu if you have it there (there is a .reg file which enables that) or it can be done in fodler properties->security->advanced->Owner->edit (just select your username here)and click checkbox to replace all objects within folder.

Next is right click on folder and then Properties->Advanced->Change Permissions, here select Users, check Replace all...checkbox, click Edit, check Full Control and then Apply. That's it, now folder & files can be deleted ;)

[tonyblair]

I solved it, it's similiar to what shought said but here is the proper way :

Important thing is to Take Ownership of that folder, easy way to do that is via context menu if you have it there (there is a .reg file which enables that) or it can be done in fodler properties->security->advanced->Owner->edit (just select your username here)and click checkbox to replace all objects within folder.

Next is right click on folder and then Properties->Advanced->Change Permissions, here select Users, check Replace all...checkbox, click Edit, check Full Control and then Apply. That's it, now folder & files can be deleted  ;)

Good news.

Shought is a great man, we all know that. :P

The procedure you found will interest a lot of people (including me).

Thanks

[shajt]

Only leftovers from that Windows installation are Boot and Recovery directories and files from root as I need them right now to boot.

I think that Recovery dir can be deleted but don't wonna risk that at this point until I make C drive bootable.

What confuses me is Documents and Settings folder, that one I didn't delete because it's linked to Doc&Settings directory on C drive, hmmm.... :think: