Can't delete one of the files belonging to the old OS.

Hi. Here's what I've just finished doing: 1) Built a new PC with a new SSD for the OS. Got it up and running. 2) Took the HDD from the old PC and fitted it to the new PC (for use as file storage). 3) Deleted the Windows-related files from the old HDD (perf logs etc). (Had to 'Take Ownership') to do that.) Unfortunately, I'm left with one Windows-related file that I can't delete – 'Users'. I've taken ownership of it but whether I log on as myself or with the Administrator account, I get the message: 'You require permission from TOM-PC\TOM to make changes to this folder'. (I'm Tom.) A bit odd – can anyone suggest what I need do to delete this folder? Thanks in advance.

Try Unlocker or boot to another OS (like Linux Mint) and delete it from there.

pooksahib said:

...I can't delete – 'Users'. I've taken ownership of it...

pjd said:

I would take ownership of the drive and everything on it.

Does taking ownership of the drive do something different than taking ownership of the folder of interest?
(I'm really asking. I've never had to take ownership of an entire drive.)

Thanks for all the input. Mitchell65 gave me a clue by referring to files and folders – it wasn't enough to take ownership of the main folder, I had to do the same for the sub-folders (and hidden ones). Problem now solved. I'm extremely grateful to whichever genius wrote the registry script which puts 'Take Ownership' in the context menu. I could never have done it all 'by hand'.

pooksahib said:

....I could never have done it all 'by hand'.

Sure you could have



I don't do the "take ownership thing" often enough to want it on my context menu, but I do understand the convenience of having it there for some users.

Hi UsernameIssues. Yes, I knew there was some option like that. But it's the actual process of changing ownership using that method - whenever I've tried it before I go wrong somewhere. Unnecessarily complex in my view.

The correct way to uninstall an OS for a multitude of reasons is always to delete its partition in Disk Mgmt. Mark it Inactive first if necessary. Partition - Mark as Inactive

If you also installed Win7 with the other HD plugged in then the System files booting the new Win7 are probably still on the old drive. Best to post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image - Windows 7 Help Forums so we can help you sort it out.

Hi gregrocker. I made sure to get the new PC up and running with just the SSD so no problem in that respect.