Windows 10: Can't delete Windows and all Program-files-files(x86)-data folders why

In D: drive i have the old windows. I didn't uninstalled them i just installed new windows on C:
The drive D: was C: but now the drives switched.

Now in C: i have the new installed windows 10 and it's working fine.
But on D: i have the old windows folder and also the folders: Program Files, Program Files(x86) and ProgramData

And when i try to delete all this 4 folders i'm getting in each one of them a message:





This is how i'm trying to delete:





In this case the Program Files folder but the same message i'm getting on the other folders.

:)

 

Program Files (x86) (x86)

I have folders for program files, program files (x86) and program files (x86) (x86). Believe the program files (x86) (x86) is based on loading an incompatible Lexmark printer software as the only folder within is Lexmark 3500-4500 series. Tried to delete
folder but states "action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program. I have uninstalled all associated printer/software from system but can't seem to delete this folder. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thx

 

Windows 10 Reset, No Program Files (x86)

I Just did a fresh reset of Windows 10 deleting all my personal files. Logging into my fresh install there is a Program Files folder but no Program Files (x86) Folder hidden or otherwise. Why is this folder not on my C drive and how can I fix this?

 

You need to give yourself a full permission and take ownership of the folders.

1. In Windows 10 type cmd.exe into Start Menu, right-click on Cmd.exe, and open it as an administrator.

2. Type following commands:

Code: Takeown /f D:\Windows /r /D Y Takeown /f "D:\Program Files" /r /D Y Takeown /f "D:\Program Files(x86)" /r /D Y Attrib -s -r -h D:\ProgramData Takeown /f D:\ProgramData /r /D Y Icacls D:\Windows /grant %Username%:F /t /c Icacls "D:\Program Files" /grant %Username%:F /t /c Icacls "D:\Program Files(x86)" /grant %Username%:F /t /c Icacls D:\ProgramData /grant %Username%:F /t /c[/quote] After executing the commands try deleting the folders.

 

Could you explain please what are the commands do and why did you make attrib only for programdata but not the other directories ? And if i have a directory or file that is not related to one of this directories what should i do ?

 

The Takeown command allows an administrator to recover access to a file that was denied by re-assigning file ownership.

Below command gives your user account ownership of the Windows folder and files/subfolders of the Windows folder.

Code: Takeown /f D:\Windows /r /D Y[/quote] The Attrib command displays or changes file/folder attributes.

Below command clears hidden, read only and system attributes of the ProgramData folder this is done because Takeown command cannot take ownership of the hidden folder/file. The D:\ProgramData folder by default is hidden.

Code: Attrib -s -r -h D:\ProgramData[/quote]
The icacls command is use for modifying or displaying files/folders NTFS permissions.

Below command given your user account full permission to Windows folder and its files/subfolders.

Code: Icacls D:\Windows /grant %Username%:F /t /c[/quote]

 

You can delete them from booted winpe/winre.

 

Rather then trying to Delete Windows System files, why not save any personal files under D:\Users\[YourUserName] (ie) Documents, Pictures, Music, to a different drive, like your C:\ Windows 10 drive, and then Format the D:. drive. Once that is done, you can restore your personal files back to D: as a backup.

 

I have on D: too much data like movies programs and other stuff more then 300GB it will take me too much time to copy it and on C: it's the new windows installation C: is smaller hard disk. Deleting the old windows from D: in this case at least is the faster way.

 

The simplest and safest way to "Take Ownership" of a folder or file is to use the context menu option provided in this TF tutorial. Then right click the folder or file in question, and click Take Ownership. You then own it, and can move/copy/delete/modify anything you wish. Just be cautious, it does exactly what it says. Use wisely.

Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials

TC