Deleting Files

[Cody_7]

Hey everyone,

I have been trying to delete an old Windows file on one of my hard disks, but i never could because of the "access denied" error message. No matter what i did, they couldn't be deleted. So finally, i stumpled across a site ( http://cpukiller.aeroxp.net/blog/?page_id=9 ) that explained that the files need to have the right "ownership" to delete. So, i follow the instructions and set me as the owner, but it will only do that to one folder. I then have to go one by one and set the properties for each sub-folder seperatley, and there's hundreds of them.

Is there any way to delete all of the files without regard to what user owns them? Or how can i make ALL files AND subfolders be set at once, so i don't have to do them by hand?

-Thanks, Cody.

 

[Cody_7]

Any help would be appriciated 😀

 

[emogoch]

Which version of windows are you using / which files system?

 

[Cody_7]

Well, i'm using Windows XP which is on an NTFS file system.

These folders were old folders moved when installing Windows Vista.

 

[emogoch]

Well, some options that you have:

1) Open the command prompt, navigate to the files then use the DEL and RD commands to delete them

2) Boot into safe mode (Press F8 during the windows boot) And try deleting them then

3) Boot into safe mode, and delete them using the command prompt as above.

4) Shut computer down, remove hard drive, put hard-drive into a different computer, boot that computer, and delete those files from the second computer.

 

[Cody_7]

Well, i have tried all of those methods, but there is no way to delete the files unless your user has ownership of them (this is news to me). And when i go to the properties of the main folder, and set me as the owner, it will apply that to only some of the sub folders. Then, i have to go in by hand and do that manually for most of the subfolders.

I just don't understand why Windows won't apply it to all folders AND sub folders and files

 

[khha4113]

I just don't understand why Windows won't apply it to all folders AND sub folders and files

For security reason (in case you accidently delete important or critical files). Anyway, I'm afraid you have no choice but to delete them as the other poster or the site that you visited showed.
If the files you want to delete reside on other drive (or patition) different than your OS, you can just format the drive.

 

[emogoch]

If you open up the securities tab for a folder, then open the advanced items, there's a check box or option somewhere to propigate changes all the way down the line of subfolders and files. Just look for it.