Windows 7: Deleting files

I am trying to delete an old copy of windows from a second drive, i am set up as the administrator in win 7 ult drive C... but i can't delete the copy of widows from drive E. I get an error message saying i need permission from the trustedinstaller to make changes to this folder. I am using drive E as a back up disk and need the space that is occupied by the windows program.

Could you expand on the History of this drives use - was it the previous OS system drive? to which you have added Windows 7 on the current drive?

If so the drive could still contain the boot files for your current install - if this is so then Windows is preventing you from deleting these files, which are essential to run your current install

Please provide a readable screenshot of your disk management to allow assessment of the full situation.

This sort of thing is not uncommon and is repairable, but does need full information to ensure you retain use of your current install

Have you tried deleting it with FileASSASSIN in MalwareBytes or with Unlocker (Download Unlocker 1.9.1 Free - Get rid of error message like Error deleting file or folder, cannot delete folder: it's being used by another person or program - Softpedia), both free Programs and that too without success?

Take ownership of Drive and/or files and delete them. As long as you know that there not necessary.

Take Ownership Shortcut - Windows 7 Forums

Or just Format the drive if you do NOT need anything that is on it NOW. (Will Erase All Data)

You need to use Disk Cleanup to remove these files. You need to tell Disk Cleanup to remove "Previous Windows Installation(s)". You can follow this link, it's valid for Vista and 7:

How to use the Disk Cleanup feature to delete the Windows.old folder after you install Windows Vista

Benny,
Please follow the advice given to you by Barman.

The info he requested is essential for giving you a correct answer.

Following shows how to make the DiskManagement pic.
HOW TO POST A SNAPSHOT OF DISK MANAGEMENT DISPLAY
Run disk management:
WIN | type DISKMGMT.MSC | ENTER
WIN=key with Microsoft logo on top.


Maximize the output of Disk Management:
ALT-Spacebar key combo | X key (selects Maximize) |
Drag the field separators (such as between Status and Capacity) to show entire field.


Make a snapshot:
WIN | type SNIPPING | ENTER | New
Drag the cursor around the area you want to snip.
File | Save as | select save location and name | Save


Post the snapshot:
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

Barman58.... hopefully this is what you needed... if not explain ( in simple terms) and i will try to to provide
thanks

I don't see drive D represented in the bottom portion of the screen. And why does it show as a UDF file system at the top of the screenshot? UDF is typically only used for optical disks.

You did say drive D was the one you were concerned about, right?

yes i did say drive D... but my error. The old copy of windows is on drive E, the drive that is full.

Benny,
1. make a system repair disc
2. boot from the system repair disc
3. go to a command prompt
4. use Diskpart to "prepare the disk"

CREATE A SYSTEM REPAIR DISC

START | type System Repair | Enter key | Create Disc button

GO TO A COMMAND PROMPT USING A SYSTEM REPAIR DISC

1) Insert System Repair Disc into optical reader.
2) Shutdown computer.
3) Boot up computer from the System Repair Disc
4) A SYSTEM RECOVERY OPTIONS dialog appears.
5) NEXT button
6) select Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows
7) NEXT | Choose Command Prompt

Run desired commands and type EXIT when finished.
Remove the System Repair Disc.
Shutdown computer.
Power on computer.

NOTE:
If your computer doesn’t boot from the optical drive, then
Immediately after pushing your Power ON button,
start tapping the F2 key to get to the BIOS to change the boot order

On some computers, Immediately after pushing the Power ON button,
start tapping the F12 key and choose CD/DVD to change the boot order
only for this time.
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Prepare hard disk for use
type DISKPART and hit ENTER
the prompt will change to DISKPART>


Enter following commands:
LIST DISK
this will list the disks

SELECT DISK 1
to select Disk 1 (if that's the disk you want)
DETAIL DISK
to make sure that you've got the correct disk
CLEAN ALL
this will write zeroes to each and every byte on the selected disk
this can take some time and there will be no progress indication
you must simply wait for the diskpart prompt to appear again
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
this will create the entire disk as a single primary partition
FORMAT FS=NTFS
this is going to format the entire disk and will also take some time
ACTIVE
this will let the disk be used as a system disk if you ever decide that you would like to install an operating system on the disk
ASSIGN
the next available drive letter is assigned to the disk
EXIT
exit from DiskPart
EXIT
exit from the command shell

Your disk is now ready to use.
You can use DiskManagement to view your handiwork and to change the drive letter and to give the disk a name.
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