Delete the Windows Folder

  • Thread starter Thread starter Marco
  • Start date Start date
M

Marco

I would like to delete the Windows folder from my old Vista RC1
installation. I have tried taking ownership etc from both Windows XP and
Vista RTM but whatever I do i just can't delete it. I notice that the
special permissions box remains unchecked. I don't want to format the drive
because it's my biggest one and has tons of TV, video and music files and it
will take an eternity to backup and restore.

What are my options?
 
Hi Marco,

Add another Hard Drive to the computer, maybe even thou for temporary
use. Copy the files from the current drive to the temporary drive. Once
done, then wipe the current old completely clean. Then partition the Hard
Drive into a small partition just for your operating system. When running XP
or Vista, your Documents folder does not need to reside in the same
partition as the operating system does.

Users, like yourself, dream that bigger is better, until you run into
problems.

Don't forget Disk Defragmenting the Hard Drives takes longer on Large
Hard Drives, also.

Keep partitions small for your operating system and programs. Then keep
large partitions for TV Shows you record.
 
Thanks - what you say makes sense and I only installed RC1 on my large
"Media" drive knowing it was temporary. My Documents and important files are
elsewhere and regularly backed up. If I lose my media files it's only a
major inconveneince - not a disaster.

So I guess what you are saying is that if I want to delete the RC1 Windows
folder I have no option other than to format it?

TIA
 
Marco--

The creator gave you sound advice as to size, etc. but I have a question.
What are you trying to get done?

CH
 
Can you move the entire directory to another drive and then maybe delete it?

How about going to Safe Mode and then trying to take ownership?

steve
 
Marco said:
I would like to delete the Windows folder from my old Vista RC1
installation. I have tried taking ownership etc from both Windows XP and
Vista RTM but whatever I do i just can't delete it. I notice that the
special permissions box remains unchecked. I don't want to format the drive
because it's my biggest one and has tons of TV, video and music files and
it will take an eternity to backup and restore.

What are my options?
Click to expand...


I'd just boot into a live CD of Windows or Linux, like WinPE, ERD Commander
or Knoppix and delete the folder from that.

ss.
 
Marco,

I have to say, mate, you're really asking for trouble if you're keeping data
(particularly large files such as you mention) on the same partition as your
OS.

There is bound to come a time when you'll want to do a format and clean
install, whether it is by choice or not.

I don't know how many times I've advised people to always keep data on
different partitions.

Good luck.



--
Ian M. Walker

~ Look to your own life before worrying how others are living theirs ~

http://www.IanMWalker.com
 
I did say the data on this drive was not essential. I've lost data before -
more than once. Bet you have too! If you'd read all the related posts then
you would be aware that all my essential stuff is regularly backed up both
locally and off site. It's just that when I installed the OS I didn't
realise that the windows folder would be so well protected and difficult to
remove. If I have to backup and re-format then I will but it would be nice
if I could just recover the 6.something gigs the windows folder is using
without going to all the trouble. Just trying to save the hassle by asking
here if there is an easier way! Isn't that what these NG's are for?
 
Marco--

I don't know what you're ultimately trying to accomplish--I suppose you
don't want to delete all those big TV files and movie files. Maybe trimming
them and not saving them forever is one consideration but that's your call.

When you go to safe mode to try to delete the folder, you may enhance your
chances by doing it either in safe mode with Windows Explorer or by trying a
free third party utility like

Delete Files (Actually Valid and Invalid)
http://www.purgeie.com/delinv/index.htm

I have found this to be the third party deleter with the most efficacy,
including Doug Knox (MVP's method).

CH

Good luck. Let us know what happens.

CH
 
I wondered, and asked about this, a little while ago and was told that it
isn't as much a problem anymore since Vista moves user files out of harms
way before performing an "install".

What's your take on this?

Ray Rogers
 
Hello,

Try this and report back any errors you get:

1) open admin command prompt

- Click start
- Type: cmd
- right-click it under programs
- click Run As Administrator

2) take ownership of everything

In the command prompt:
<change to the appropriate drive, i.e. d:\>
<cd to the windows folder you need to remove, i.e. cd windows>
takeown /F . /A /R /D Y

3) grant yourself permission to everything

In the command prompt:
icacls . /grant:r Administrators:(F) /T /L /Q

4) Delete everything

- Make sure you close any explorer or command windows (other than the
command window you are using right now) that are looking at or inside
windows. If you don't, you will receive an error while performing this step.

In the command prompt:
cd ..
rmdir /S /Q windows


--
- JB
Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User

Windows Vista Support Faq
http://www.jimmah.com/vista/
 
I think there is a bug in Vista when a folder is too big for the recycle bin.

Take for instance a folder I created and then dumped a couple of large files
into it (2.77GB in total)

Trying to delete the folder gets me a permission denied.

Go into the folder and delete the files themselves no problem and then I can
remove the top folder.

i just can't do it together...
 
No, Vista will simply inform you that the file is too big for the recycle
bin and ask if you want to delete it permanently. Confirm and the file is
gone.
 
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