Cannot Delete a folder from a hard drive backup.

Question

I receive the following error when I try to delete: "Destination Folder Access Denied" window with the message "You need permission to perform this action". The backup folder stored everything from my C:\ prior to reinstalling. I have since restored all of my needed files and want to delete the remaining windows and program files that are duplicates.

I have tried starting windows in Safe Mode to delete the folder and receive the same message.  I have also tried changing the properties of the folder and all sub folders to remove the "read-only" attribute.  I receive an error message stating "Access is denied" when attempting.  In addition I changed ownership to my user account which has administrative rights.  This still hasn't allowed me to delete the folder and its contents.

The folder is around 16 GB and I would really like to get it off my hard drive.  Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

To see your permissions, right click the folder/file, click on properties, and check out the security tab.  Check to see what permissions you have by clicking on your username (or user group).  Here are the types of permissions you can have: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-are-permissions.  You need to be an administrator or the owner to change permissions (and sometimes being an administrator or even an owner isn't enough - there are ways to block even them from access (though a smart administrator knows these ways and can get around them - but usually shouldn't because they were denied access usually for a very good reason).  Here's how to change folder permissions in Vista: http://www.online-tech-tips.com/windows-vista/set-file-folder-permissions-vista/.

To fix this problem with the folders, take ownership of the folders or the drive (as an administrator) and give yourself full rights.  Right click the folder/drive, click on properties, go to the security tab and click on Advanced and then click on the Owner tab.  Click edit and then click the name of the person you want to give ownership to (you may need to add it if it isn't there - or it may be yourself). If you want it to apply to sub-folders and files within that folder/drive, then check the box for replace owner on sub-containers and objects and click OK.  Back out and now there's a new owner for the folders/drive and files who can change permissions as needed.  You can now change them from read-only (even if the main folder says they still are read only - you can have access yourself as the owner).  You can keep them as read-only for other users and guests and even administrators (though they can take ownership themselves and gain access if they so desire and there really isn't much you can do to stop this except protect the folder with a password using a 3rd party product.  Here's more information on taking ownership of a file or folder: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67717-take-ownership-file.html.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

P/S.  I hope you know what you're doing because if these are the real system folders you'll have to do a clean install to repair the problem it will cause.

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Lorien - One - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+

Answer 2

Does anyone have any additional ideas for trying to remove the folder in the above mentioned scenario?  It is currently eating up about 16GB of my hard drive and it is essentially duplicate windows files that were saved in a backup before my system failed and I had to completely re-install Vista Home Premium.

Answer 3

No, not the same folder.  When I ran the disk cleanup, I had no option available for removing old versions of windows.  I didn't upgrade my version of windows, I had to reinstall Vista Home Premium, which was the original OS, due to malware and my system failing.

The folder is titled "BACKUP" and originally contained everything on my C: Drive prior to the backup and reinstalling windows.  I have been able to cut and past all of my photos, videos, music, etc., into my new user account.  Also, I have deleted almost everything from the folder, but 2 folders (Program Files and WINDOWS) remain in the folder because I cannot get permission to delete.

It almost seems as though Windows is treating them as if they are still system critical because they have the same file name?  The only folders/programs remaining in the folders are windows related.  For example in the Program Files folder, the only folders remaining are for Windows Calendar, Sidebar, Defender, Journal, etc.

I don't know if it helps, but I have a Gateway laptop, which had a system recovery tool installed and that was what I used to backup my C:/ drive when I was unable to start or system restore windows.

Answer 4

Reply:

Would this be the windows.old Folder you wish to delete?

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/933212

"How to remove the Windows.old folder that is generated when you perform a custom installation of Windows Vista"

Cheers.

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Mick Murphy - Microsoft Partner