Windows 7: unerasable partition

hello,
I have on my computer one hard drive with 3 partitions: C for windows, D for other stuff, and Q which i can't access, nor delete. it shows that Q is local hard drive, but with 0 capacity. I got my computer with this partition showing, btw. another weird thing is that sometimes it shows and sometimes it doesn't. i cannot access it as i said and when i try to format it, it said that i don't have the sufficiet right to do so.

how can I get read of this partition and why it's on my computer anyway??
thanks for your help.

Please post a screenshot of disk mgmt window.

the tricky thing is that the Q hard drive doesn't appear in the comp mgmt... here:

I believe that is caused by MS Office 2010 - no idea what it is for - I am not using Office 2010.

Yep, Office 2010 click to run installs a Q drive,

An overview of Microsoft Office Click-to-Run for Office 2010

If you want to remove the Q drive, you may have to uninstall Office starter 2010 and MS Office One-Click.

Just google "Q drive" and you will get tons of info on it.

If my math is correct, the Q partition is about 1MB in size and is shown in your snip, but it's truncated due to its small size. If you don't need/use the Office click to run stuff, uninstall it. It may leave the Q intact though. It is completely inconsequential and Windows can't modify partitions below a certain size.

You may use the C2R removal tool that can be downloaded from here. Howto: Remove Microsoft Office 2010 Click 2 Run | ikkerus.net - Feel liberated to ingest OpenSource!

I think SIW2 is right. It is a VHD that the Office Installer left behind. Should normally disappear with a reboot. Search for VHD on your C. Then you can unattach it.

PS: there are a couple of other installers that use VHDs too.

I believe it's a virtual drive Gary,