How to delete files owned by SYSTEM

Hello folks,

A while back I accidentally deleted Adobe Acrobat Reader DC from my PC and I need to reinstall it. I go to the Adobe web site and download the installer. Double-clicking the installer starts the installation process and all goes well until the installation is almost finished and then I get a message to say that a newer version is already installed. At this point installation stops and all the new installation is deleted from the hard drive.

I have scoured the registry and hard drive and the only thing I can find relating to Reader are two files located here: C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Resource\CMap The files are called Identity-H and Identity-V. If I try to delete these manually I get a message that says "You require permission from SYSTEM to make changes to these files". If I right-click on the files and open Properties > Security I can't find any way to change the owner of the file to me (I am the administrator).

Does anyone know how to delete these files?

I am running W10 Home x64 (Version 21H2 Build 19044.1526). The PC has an Intel(^R) Core(^TM) i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz 2.81 GHz & 32GB of RAM.

SteveGPhoto said:

Does anyone know how to delete these files?

First take ownership of the file, then in its permissions grant yourself full control. Then you will be able to delete it.

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

Change Permissions of Objects for Users and Groups in Windows 10

Or boot from, for example, a Windows 10 InstallUSB and use its command prompt to delete the folder without having to alter any permissions.
You can use this as a guide to finding your way around even though you are deleting rather than backing up - Use InstallUSB Notepad as a rudimentary File explorer to backup files [post #33] - TenForums

I don't understand why you are aiming at just a particular subfolder. It seems to me that you should delete C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe

If you need any further advice, please would you explain exactly how you deleted the Reader in the first place.

Of course, you could just use a different pdf reader. There are many of them. I use Foxit Reader.

Best of luck,
Denis

Easy way with no technical fiddling... get a copy of
Emco Unlockit (free).

This deals with deleting and unlocking both files and folders - and if necessary will set up a task to delete the file on boot (which deals with any permission issues etc).

Those who've tried it like it. Neat.

No need to create or boot to a bootable disk.

As to 'deleting' programs - did you delete some folder related to the program- or actually uninstall it?

As a matter of routine I uninstall programs using Geek Uninstaller -free- (somewhat like Revo Uninstaller but easier and faster to launch and to use). This runs the normal uninstaller, then a scan for leftovers (and there often are some).

@SteveGPhoto,

I successfully deleted System owned files using Macrium Reflect WinPE Rescue drive.

Plugin and boot Macrium WinPE Rescue drive.

Invoke Macrium PE explorer and navigate to the folder/ file you want to delete.

Rightclick >Delete

It is as simple as that if you have Macrium Reflect installed on your PC and you had created the bootable WinPE rescue media.

An example:



Here I navigated to the Windows Defender folder showing all the sub-folders inside. If I had wanted to delete I would have simply right clicked on the folder to be deleted and clicked on delete in the rightclick popup menu.

( Post #45 here for more details: Windows defender-not updating-Engine unavailable where I deleted files in two folders and copied files from another computer's folders to reinstate Windows Defender engine)

Try3 said:

Or boot from, for example, a Windows 10 InstallUSB and use its command prompt to delete the folder without having to alter any permissions.
You can use this as a guide to finding your way around even though you are deleting rather than backing up - Use InstallUSB Notepad as a rudimentary File explorer to backup files [post #33] - TenForums

I don't understand why you are aiming at just a particular subfolder. It seems to me that you should delete C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe

If you need any further advice, please would you explain exactly how you deleted the Reader in the first place.

Of course, you could just use a different pdf reader. There are many of them. I use Foxit Reader.

Best of luck,
Denis

If I delete the whole Adobe folder then I will loose other Adobe programs. It is these two files that are preventing me from deleting the Reader folder.

I accidentally double clicked the Reader "uninstall.exe" file - I wasn't concentrating

I am temporarily using Foxit Reader but would prefer to have the real thing back :)

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Bree said:

First take ownership of the file, then in its permissions grant yourself full control. Then you will be able to delete it.

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

Change Permissions of Objects for Users and Groups in Windows 10

Hi Bree,

After reading through the links my eyes are bleeding and my brain is frazzled. I'll come back to this is simpler methods fail.

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ziffel said:

I use PowerRun, by Sordum.org. A simple, portable tool to give you a CMD prompt with SYSTEM privileges. It makes it so you don't need to mess with obtaining permissions. It has been working great for me for years. Just know what you're doing when you use it because you CAN break your OS if you delete the wrong thing.

Hi Ziffel,

I like the sound of that and will give it a try :)

I guess then my unacknowledged post is of no interest to you. Goodbye.

dalchina said:

Easy way with no technical fiddling... get a copy of
Emco Unlockit (free).

This deals with deleting and unlocking both files and folders - and if necessary will set up a task to delete the file on boot (which deals with any permission issues etc).

Those who've tried it like it. Neat.

No need to create or boot to a bootable disk.

As to 'deleting' programs - did you delete some folder related to the program- or actually uninstall it?

As a matter of routine I uninstall programs using Geek Uninstaller -free- (somewhat like Revo Uninstaller but easier and faster to launch and to use). This runs the normal uninstaller, then a scan for leftovers (and there often are some).

Hi dalchina,

Thanks for the tip - I have added Enco Unlockit to my list of possible solutions.

I used the Reader's own uninstall application to delete it (by accident) but it left these two files behind I've spoken to Adobe's not-very-helpful help desk and they say it's a Windows issue - but they would, wouldn't they?

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jumanji said:

@SteveGPhoto,

I successfully deleted System owned files using Macrium Reflect WinPE Rescue drive.

Plugin and boot Macrium WinPE Rescue drive.

Invoke Macrium PE explorer and navigate to the folder/ file you want to delete.

Rightclick >Delete

It is as simple as that if you have Macrium Reflect installed on your PC and you had created the bootable WinPE rescue media.

An example:



Here I navigated to the Windows Defender folder showing all the sub-folders inside. If I had wanted to delete I would have simply right clicked on the folder to be deleted and clicked on delete in the rightclick popup menu.

( Post #45 here for more details: Windows defender-not updating-Engine unavailable where I deleted files in two folders and copied files from another computer's folders to reinstate Windows Defender engine)

Hi Jumanji,

Thanks for the tip. It looks a bit complicated for me but it is on the list if all else fails :)