How to Delete the Windows folder on a non-bootable drive?

Space Elation · 17 May 2015

Hi all,
I have a old copy of windows pro 7 on a D drive I'd like to delete it with-out formatting the drive. I have data that is essential to programs on the C drive located on the D drive. I was hoping I could delete these folders in Safe Mode but no good. What I guess what I need to do is change the permissions of the folders and files?? This windows OS version is dead it has no influence on any files installed on the C drive. How can I get ride of these folders without formatting the drive?
Thanks
Bill

ignatzatsonic · 17 May 2015

Confusion:

You say "I have data that is essential to programs on the C drive located on the D drive".

Then you say "I was hoping I could delete these folders".

If the data is essential, why would you want to delete the folders?

Please rephrase or otherwise clarify.

AddRAM · 17 May 2015

His old C drive is now called D since he added it to a new system, he wants to keep the data on the now D drive without formatting it, did I explain it better :)

I don`t see why you can`t just copy the essential data to C, then format D, then put your data back on the newly formatted D ??????

I would think if you just deleted the windows folder, you should be fine, but a total waste of space on the D drive. Your data should be removed and D should be formatted properly.

Space Elation · 17 May 2015

What I have on the D drive is a lot of sound files that are related to VST Instruments that are installed on the C Drive. So for the VST Instruments to Play sounds they need these files. I don't want to install all these instruments again so if I can get rid of the Windows, Program Files, Program Files x86 and the Data folders it would be nice. There's about 20gigs I could recover. Is there a option?

AddRAM · 17 May 2015

But you are just moving the sound files to C, you are not deleting them. Isn`t the program that you use with these sound files on C, I don`t see any issue or problem if you move the files to C, they will still work.

Space Elation · 17 May 2015

What I'm trying to do is leave my sound files on D I have 200+ VST Instruments on the C Drive if I move the sound files back to the C Drive I'll have to re-associate all the sound files with their respected instruments. That would be so time consuming its not even an option. I want to delete the old windows files that are on the D Drive with out moving the sound files. Is there a way to delete those folders/ (the windows folders)?

Wandering one · 17 May 2015

Would it not work to just go through and manually delete the files / folders that you don't want? You have to "show system files" to get them all and if I recall there is a couple of real stubborn ones that I had to rename or change the extension on before they would cooperate. After deleting do a defrag and you should be good to go.
Art.

AddRAM · 17 May 2015

There could be something in the windows folder that has something to do with your VST instruments/program etc.

You`d better wait til an absolute expert comes along and tells you what you can delete safely :)

Space Elation · 17 May 2015

Great reg. hack cleaned up and deleted all the folders. Works with Vista, win7 win8 and they claim XP

Add "Take Ownership" to Explorer Right-Click Menu in Win 7, 8 or Vista

GokAy · 18 May 2015

I wonder if you have boot files etc in D still. Did you remove D when you installed your new windows? You may also have some hidden folders still.

Making sure your C is active and boot then move sound files to C, format D and move the sound files back to D same folder would be best as some friends have said.