How to delete old user profiles and folders?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Renee
  • Start date Start date
R

Renee

Hi,

I have created users and now I want to remove
those users and their related folder from
C:\Documents and Settings\<user to be removed>.
I was able to remove them as users from my computer.
But I also want remove all their files that is just
taking up space in my hard drive. How do I go about this?

Thanks,
Renee
 
Renee said:
I have created users and now I want to remove
those users and their related folder from
C:\Documents and Settings\<user to be removed>.
I was able to remove them as users from my computer.
But I also want remove all their files that is just
taking up space in my hard drive. How do I go about this?
Click to expand...

As an administrator:

Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
Browse to C:\Documents and Settings.
Find the directory you wish to delete... Click on it ONCE to highlight.
If you are SURE that is it.. Press SHIFT+DEL on your keyboard.
Answer "Yes" to any question.

It's gone. Permanently.
 
Hi,
I have tried to delete the folder manually and I just
tried to do what you have mentioned (using SHIFT+DEL).
This did not work. It
gave me the following message - Access Denied.

Thanks,
Renee
 
Renee said:
I have created users and now I want to remove
those users and their related folder from
C:\Documents and Settings\<user to be removed>.
I was able to remove them as users from my computer.
But I also want remove all their files that is just
taking up space in my hard drive. How do I go about this?
Click to expand...

Shenan Stanley said:
As an administrator:

Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
Browse to C:\Documents and Settings.
Find the directory you wish to delete... Click on it ONCE to
highlight. If you are SURE that is it.. Press SHIFT+DEL on your
keyboard. Answer "Yes" to any question.

It's gone. Permanently.
Click to expand...

Renee said:
I have tried to delete the folder manually and I just
tried to do what you have mentioned (using SHIFT+DEL).
This did not work. It
gave me the following message - Access Denied.
Click to expand...

Then either you are not an administrator user and/or you need to take
ownership of the folder and files first.

Start -> Help and Support -> search for "Take Ownership"

To take ownership of a file or folder

1. Open Windows Explorer, and then locate the file or folder you want to
take ownership of.
2. Right-click the file or folder, click Properties, and then click the
Security tab.
3. Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
4. In the Change owner to box, click the new owner.
5. (Optional) To change the owner of all subcontainers and objects within
the tree, select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.

Notes

- To open Windows Explorer, click Start, point to Programs, point to
Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.
- If you are not joined to a domain and want to view the Security tab, see
To display the Security tab.
- You can transfer ownership in two ways:
- The current owner can grant the Take ownership permission to others,
allowing those users to take ownership at any time.
- An administrator can take ownership of any file on the computer.
However, the administrator cannot transfer ownership to others. This
restriction keeps the administrator accountable.
- In Windows XP Professional, the Everyone group no longer includes the
Anonymous Logon group.
 
Hi,
I'm having the same problem trying to remove the document and settings
file of a past user.

When I tried shift delete I got a popup saying that its a windows
system folder and is required for windows to run properly.

I then went to the file and rightclicked and there was no security
tab.

I'm stumped.
Help
 
Try logging on as a local administrator and go to Control
Panel/system/advanced - user profiles/settings. Then highlight the profile
you want to delete and select delete. --- Steve
 
delete is grayed out. Is there maybe a way to just change the name on
it? I'm not trying to delete the admin account so i don't understand
why this won't go away.
 
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