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

[pooksahib]

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.

 

[UsernameIssues]

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

 

[pjd]

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

 

[UsernameIssues]

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

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.)

 

[mitchell65]

Or you could right click on "Users" which is a folder not a file, Click "Properties" click the Tab "Security" then click "Edit" and give full control to whatever you are logged in as. Then try deleting the folder!

 

[pooksahib]

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'.

 

[UsernameIssues]

....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.

 

[pooksahib]

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.

 

[gregrocker]

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.

 

[pooksahib]

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

 

[gregrocker]

Posting back the screenshot would still be a good idea as we see something awry in more than half of the thousands of them that we see.

 

[pooksahib]

No problem, thanks for your interest. When I later added my 2x1TB HDD's (one of which had been split in three partitions, one with the old Windows files on it) I found myself with 'Drive D: System Reserved' which Google told me was related to BitLocker. I used Disk Management to delete that drive letter.

 

[gregrocker]

You can Extend C in Disk Mgmt to take up the 11gb Unallocated Space.

At the minimum mark the old drive's System Reserved Inactive, only the partition booting Win7 should be marked Active: Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums . Then I would delete it, move the 13gb files off of G and delete it too, then create a new G in the space. This is how to delete an old OS correctly.

If the drive ever interferes, move all data off and wipe it with Diskpart Clean Command which clears the boot sector of remainder code.

 

[pooksahib]

Thanks again, I've extended C as suggested.
As regards the 100MB of Disk 1 with no drive letter, is it not easier to just delete it and skip the 'mark as inactive' step?

 

[gregrocker]

It may not delete in Disk Mgmt if Active.