Can't delete an unwanted folder

carly

Last year I did a clean install of Vista on my Gateway laptop after a series of problems with it. As part of the install a folder entitled "Backup" was created and installed on my C drive. I realised later that this was avoidable and unnecessary but didn't bother too much about it at the time.

I now wish to delete this folder as I have need of the space it would free up ( in excess of 12 GB)

However all attempts to delete the folder or any of the files within it are proving impossible.
The folders are" read only" and I cannot remove this attribute.
I am the only user of the laptop and have administrator permissions but that doesnt seem to count for anything.
Following advice on microsoft discussion boards i did try to take ownership of the files and created owner permissions but this didnt work either.
All attempts result in messages saying access is denied or similar.

I have googled this problem and it seems that I am not alone...

Can anyone help me of get rid of this folder, please? Preferably in simple laymans' terms as i am in no way a techie.

Thanks in advance

kwikbreaks

Try booting up in safe mode command prompt only and use the old dos style commands (remdir - seems to have gone so just del should work).

Alternately you could try running the command prompt (cmd) as administrator and see if that will do the job. ATTRIB is the command you need to remove read only etc. attrib /? will show you all the options.

carly

cmd gives me a list of options.. -R to remove read only atribute but i dont know how or where to input this...
" the system cannot find the path specified" or " not a recognised internal or external command operable programme or batch command"

dogmaryxx

To view or to remove the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Vista or Windows 7

1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then press ENTER..
2. To view the syntax for the Attrib command, type attrib /? at the command prompt.

To remove the Read-only attribute and to set the System attribute, use the following command:
attrib -r +s drive:\<path>\<foldername>
For example, to remove the Read-only attribute and to set the System attribute for the C:\Test folder, use the following command:
attrib -r +s c:\test
Be aware that some programs may not operate correctly with folders for which the System attribute and the Read-only attribute are set. Therefore, use the following command to remove these attributes:
attrib -r -s drive:\<path>\<foldername>
For example, to remove both the Read-only and the System attributes from the C:\Test folder, use the following command:
attrib -r -s c:\test
If the Run command is not listed on the Start menu, do the following:
Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Run.

Trinitrotoluene

You will need to take ownership of the folder and propogate that ownership to the child folders

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

carly

Trinitrotoluene wrote: »

You will need to take ownership of the folder and propogate that ownership to the child folders

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

Thanks, i have tried to do that , but keep getting an "access denied " message box up

Linbox

Use a linux livecd, boot with the cd use (in Ubuntu) places, my computer, double click on your hard drive, then find the folder and delete files then folder. If you are still having problems right click on a file, permissions, change to read write and execute. You should then be able to delete them all.