Cannot delete system files created from Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

Page 1 of 7 123 ... LastLast

  1. Posts : 23
    Windows 10
       #1

    Cannot delete system files created from Windows 10 Media Creation Tool


    Hello - About 3 years ago I created a Windows 10 bootable flash drive using the Media Creation Tool. I recall that I had to save the files on my local hard drive in a separate folder and then transferred them to a USB, which I did successfully. However, when I went to delete the no longer needed folders and files from my hard drive, I could not delete them and still cannot to this day. I have complete control over all files as an admin but when I try to delete them it still says I need admin. permission to access the files.

    I've tried a multitude of third-party apps to try to delete, booted into safe mode, and others with no success. I am stuck with 24.7GB of nearly 80,000 unneeded files on my HD.

    I am hopeful someone on this forum can provide a solution!

    Thank you in advance.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,247
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
       #2

    Were you who created the folders and under same user name?
    Are you the only user?
    Is your profile set as administrator?
    You may need to take ownership of the files and folders.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 5,299
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
       #3

    You can execute batch script attached to my post to add take ownership to the right-click menu in Windows Explorer.
    Cannot delete system files created from Windows 10 Media Creation Tool Attached Files
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 23
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I am the only user on this machine and am also Administrator. There are 3 permissions entries for these files: SYSTEM, Adminstrator (me), and a third permission which is: my name and email. Each of these permissions has 'Full Control'. I note that all of these permission were inherited from C:\Users\mhan\

    I'm not sure how to take ownership when it appears that I already have (or should have) ownership.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,299
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
       #5

    Having permission is different from having ownership of a file/folder if you are not owner of the file/folder you wont able to delete it.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 31,459
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #6

    shingdao said:
    ...I'm not sure how to take ownership when it appears that I already have (or should have) ownership.
    You have permissions, that's not the same thing as ownership. See this tutorial for how to see the current owner and take ownership.


    Change Owner of File, Folder, Drive, or Registry Key in Windows 10
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 23
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thanks. I followed the tutorial link and changed ownership to Administrators and I still cannot delete the files. It does allow me to appear to delete everything but at the end a notification comes up saying I need permission from another user.

    What's strange is after trying to reassign ownership and trying to to delete it, the folder size has reduced from 24.7GB to 11.9GB but the number of files has remained the same. What explains that?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,299
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
       #8

    Give everyone a full control of the file/folders.

    Code:
    icacls FolderName /grant everyone:F /t
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 23
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    FreeBooter said:
    Give everyone a full control of the file/folders.

    Code:
    icacls FolderName /grant everyone:F /t
    Just tried this and was not successful due to 'access is denied'
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 41,412
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #10
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:39.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums