How Can I Delete Old Files In Windows Xp ? HELP

[PureHeart 0]

I've just reinstall my system. But I can't delete old profiles in C:\Documents and Settings.

 

 

I have the Admin right, of course. But... the system don't allow me to delete the files. I need to free up some space on my hard disk. (That folder's size is up to 12GB)

[abhiram 0]

This is a common problem in Windows XP and I'm sure it's been discussed somewhere already. Just follow these steps:

1. start>run and type 'cmd' and press enter. A command shell window will open.
2. ctrl+alt+del and kill 'explorer.exe'. This will kill the desktop and start menu.
3. In the command shell, type "rmdir 'c:\documents and settings\<whteverfoldername>'". (Note that the entire path of the folder should be enclosed in double quotes and not single quotes. This is because there are spaces in the name of the folder.)
4. In the task manager, select process>run and enter 'explorer.exe'. The startmenu and desktop will be activated again.

That should remove the entire folder.

I haven't exactly used the rmdir command. You can get more info about it at this link.

[PureHeart 0]

No, That doesn't work. Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]© Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.C:\Documents and Settings\Bruce>cd ..C:\Documents and Settings>rmdir "nguyen van thoai"Access is denied.C:\Documents and Settings>

[xboxrulz1405241485 0]

check the folder's permissions.xboxrulz

[PureHeart 0]

check the folder's permissions.

 

xboxrulz

1064335015[/snapback]

Noway, I'm not the owner of that folder.

[abhiram 0]

Try to login as administrator and then try to delete it.

[PureHeart 0]

That's what I did. But the problem still remain.

[PureHeart 0]

One more thing, the old account (nguyen van thoai) is an admin account also. I think this prevent the files from deleting. Anyway, I really need a solution for this trouble.

[iGuest 3]

This is where XP users screwed up, since when should an Administrator be denied, I've been denied access as Admin to even a normal user... Anyways, you want to claim that directory, so as an Admin, go to C:\Documents and Settings\Right-click on the folder, choose Properties, now there might appear a security tab??? Sorry I'm Linux orientated now so I can't quite remember what it is, basically you just add or replace your User over theirs, it'll ask if you want to apply it to sub-directories and you say yes, then you should be able to remove it. You may need to do this with other folders inside of that directory.Hopefully that is just the case, also why did you reinstall over the top? That's the only reason those other ones will still exist?P.S. Just had a flash-back, I recall something about Inheritance, that's what you want to do, is inherit it.Cheers,MC

[PureHeart 0]

The security tab is displayed in Windows 2000. But not in Windows XP. I can't modify anything. This problem seem to be hard to solve, right?

P.S. Just had a flash-back, I recall something about Inheritance, that's what you want to do, is inherit it.

What do you mean? Create the same user with that name, and he can take over that folder. No, I tried that. It doesn't work.

My Hard Disk, no. I may reinstall the system once again. Delete the whole partition. What do you think about this idea?

[iGuest 3]

The security tab is displayed in Windows 2000. But not in Windows XP. I can't modify anything. This problem seem to be hard to solve, right?

What do you mean? Create the same user with that name, and he can take over that folder. No, I tried that. It doesn't work.

 

My Hard Disk, no. I may reinstall the system once again. Delete the whole partition. What do you think about this idea?

1064335057[/snapback]

Hey PureHeart,

 

XP does have it. It's turned off by default. Get into the Folder Options, Now, I'm trying to think what you may need to enable, but that's not coming back to me, Simple Sharing maybe the option, to take off, but go through it and see if you can find anything that may or may not apply. I think it is Simple Sharing, uncheck that and then try again.

 

If you're on XP Home, I'm not sure whether it's similar or not, it should be but I've never used this OS.

 

Cheers,

 

 

MC

[PureHeart 0]

Hey PureHeart,

 

XP does have it.  It's turned off by default. Get into the Folder Options, Now, I'm trying to think what you may need to enable, but that's not coming back to me, Simple Sharing maybe the option, to take off, but go through it and see if you can find anything that may or may not apply.  I think it is Simple Sharing, uncheck that and then try again.

 

If you're on XP Home, I'm not sure whether it's similar or not, it should be  but I've never used this OS.

 

Cheers,

MC

1064335060[/snapback]

Here's the folder option. Nothing to enable. I tried disabling SIMPLE SHARING, but nothing happen.

 

I'm using Windows XP Professional - Service Pack 2.

What a pity, you are not using XP. Otherwise, I may invite you to fix my problem here, at my PC.

[iGuest 3]

Here's the folder option. Nothing to enable. I tried disabling SIMPLE SHARING, but nothing happen.

 

I'm using Windows XP Professional - Service Pack 2.

What a pity, you are not using XP. Otherwise, I may invite you to fix my problem here, at my PC.

1064335062[/snapback]

Well, since I want to help you... I'm going to boot into XP... don't worry about inviting me though, I'll just come back with the solution.

 

Hold on just a bit while I reboot...

 

Cheers,

 

 

MC

[abhiram 0]

Is that partition FAT32? You could probably get a Linux liveCD, mount it and delete it through that. If it's NTFS, it won't work because there's no write access in NTFS.But just one question ... did you login with the super-admin? That is, the username 'Administrator' for which you set the password during installation?

[PureHeart 0]

That's a NTFS Partition. I use the Administrator account (that's the super admin, right?).