Boot Folder and Files on Non-C Partition

I recently noticed that I now have a Boot folder and a bootmgr file on my S drive. I also have these on my C drive. I haven't been able to delete these S drive folders and files and was wondering (a) how did they happen to get on the S drive, and (b) how can I delete them? I'm guessing a Windows update caused this.

Windows 10 64-bit, Version: 22H2 OS Build: 19045-4046

Thanks for any help.

Here is the shot of disk management.

shut down system, disconnect the drive that is S: -> boot system=all good? OK NOW we know that the system is not relying on S: in anyway to boot normally.

Spunk IS correct <-> I AM PARANOID. I check everything in this way because I have seen Windows of various iterations over the years do shit that it should not do.

After that just install the take ownership into the right click menu, conveniently described here:

Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 10

(

EDIT: I forgot that it only works on folders: here is a nice step by step example of taking ownership of files and folders manually:

How to Take Ownership of Folders in Windows 10 & 11

Even though the article describes doing this on folders it is exactly the same steps for files)

)

Then right click each file resisting deletion and take ownership.
You can do this manually but why bother when someone has gone through the effort of making it a right click easy thing to do?
I use this myself and it works absolutely great

You SHOULD be able to delete the files afterwards but if you cannot let us know and someone will post steps to add your user to each files security tab and give your user full control - after that if the files do not delete then, well, they will delete after that.

I mean, they MIGHT not delete, but that is SO rare (I've seen it once or twice over the last 30 years) that it is highly unlikely.

IF it DOES raise it's ugly head, you'll need a Linux boot disk and the bit-locker key of the S drive if it is bit-locker encrypted.
and some time to do a bit of reading.

Thank you for your 'take ownership' recommendation. I hadn't thought of that. The folders and files are now removed.