how to delete windows folders from old system drive?

[artoo]

I have a 1TB HD that I was my main drive and was wondering how I can delete the "Windows", "Program Files", and "Program Files (x86)" folders from it without having to reformat the drive and loose the other data that is there.

Thanks

 

[Dude]

You should back up the files you want to keep and format the drive. You do not want system files on it as it is not the main drive now. Not the answer you wanted, sorry

 

[Ztruker]

First, see this article on how to do this: Take Ownership Shortcut - Windows 7

Download and run the .reg file and a Take Ownership selection is added to the right click context menu. Very nice:

Next, right click on each of the root folders you want to remove and select Take Ownership. Then right click on the folder, hold down the Shift key and select Delete. This should delete the folder and all subfolders.