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Viruses in an old WIM file

Anonymous
2019-11-10T18:06:10+00:00

Hi

Windows Defender (latest Windows 10 version) is reporting several viruses contained in an old WIM file produced under Windows 7 or 8.  However, it just "hangs" when trying to solve the problem.  I have tried to delete the file, cut and paste it to a memory stick, rename it, change its properties and followed the on-line help using DISM - all to no avail. Can anyone help in providing a method to delete this file? Thanks.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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DaveM121 885.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2019-11-11T08:35:22+00:00

Hi Malcolm

Click the link below and in the Here's How section follow the steps to add 'Take Ownership' to your Right click Menu

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3841-add-ta...

Right click that 'DO NOT DELETE' folder and take ownership of that folder

Try deleting that WIM file

If you still cannot delete that file, boot your system into Safe Mode and then try deleting that WIM file . . .

How to boot into Safe Mode:

Press the Shift Key and click Restart

Your PC will boot into the Windows Recovery Environment

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - Startup Settings and click Restart

Upon restart, press 4 to enter Safe Mode

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-11-11T08:27:17+00:00

    Hi

    Have checked with both Windows 10 (and Windows 7 - which is still available for some reason) and backup is not running.  The Windows 7 version reports that no system images exist - even though one does.

    The file is called system_backup.wim and is located in a D partition in a folder named DO NOT DELETE alongside user data - documents etc.

    I have also tried deleting it through the command prompt (with administrator privileges) having changed its attributes accordingly - but as with a normal delete the command prompt just "hangs".

    Many thanks for help/advice.  I really don't want to have to reformat the drive and have to reinstall all apps etc unless no other solution is available.

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  2. DaveM121 885.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2019-11-10T21:41:03+00:00

    Hi Malcolm

    Do you just want to delete that WIM file?

    If so, do you have Windows Backup currently running on your PC, if so, turn that off and then restart your PC, then try to delete that WIM file.

    If you still cannot delete that file, where exactly is that file located on your PC?

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-11-10T21:37:20+00:00

    Hi

    Used 7 zip to extract files and then windows defender to scan.  It located 6 viruses but when asked to take action (either remove or quarantine) it was unable to do so.  The computer just "hung".  Also the existing WIM file was still in place with the existing viruses. Knowing the file names and using 7 zip I tried to delete the virused files from within the WIM file - but no luck.  I tried to manually delete the extracted files but got the message - "this file cannot be deleted as it contains a virus". In the end I was able delete the whole extracted folder so am now back at square one.

    Any other ideas gratefully received.  There must be a way of deleting a WIM file - particularly as it is not needed with media created using the Windows media creation tool.

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  4. DaveM121 885.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2019-11-10T18:16:44+00:00

    Hi Malcolm

    You could try extracting out that Wim file with a utility like the free version of 7 Zip and then scan the extracted files with Defender to see if it can find and quarantine the file that is reported as infected . . .

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