If you need to delete or overwrite a system file in Windows Vista, you'll quickly notice that you cannot delete system files, even as administrator. This is because Windows Vista's system files are owned by the TrustedInstaller service by default, and Windows File Protection will keep them from being overwritten. You need to take ownership of the files, and then assign yourself rights to delete or modify the file. For this, we'll use the command line.
Open an administrator command prompt by typing cmd into the start menu search box, and hit the Ctrl+Shift+Enter key combination. To take ownership of the file, you'll need to use the takeown command. Here's an example: takeown /f C:WindowsSystem32en-USwinload.exe.mui That will give you ownership of the file, but you still have no rights to delete it. Now you can run the cacls command to give yourself full control rights to the file: cacls C:WindowsSystem32en-USwinload.exe.mui /G geek:F Note that my username is geek, so you will substitute your username there. At this point, you should be able to delete the file. If you still can't do so, you may need to reboot into Safe Mode and try it again. For the filename in the example, I was able to overwrite it without safe mode, but your mileage may vary.
In many of the tweaks on this site I have directed you to delete or replace a system file. In Windows Vista this is not always as easy as it sounds since the system files are protected better by the file system than in XP. There are two steps that you need to do in order to be able to replace or delete a system file:First you need to take ownership of the file. Run takeown /f "path and file name" to take ownership from a command prompt.Next, you need to give your account full control permissions on the file. Run cacls "path and file name" /G <your username>:F to get full control from a command prompt....
I've a file in my Favorites (for IE7) and there is no way I can get rid of it. I've shut down IE, rebooted the machine and gone to Windows Explorer to delete this thing, but cannot. When I went to see if it was a read-only file, it was. But when I go to make it a non read-only file, I get the following message, "This is no longer located in the c:usersfavorites - verify the items and try again." Also I get this message "The system cannot find the file specified" ...I found this file in four other locations, and deleted them all. But still, I cannot get rid of it in the Favorites...
When ever i try to delete a program or some file types off my computer, a popup comes on saying Windows explorer has stopped responding, and it closes all my windows and freezes my computer for a couple minutes. This has become very annoying as i am trying to clean up old files on my computer.
What happens when you attempt to install Windows 7 on a drive with NTFS version 1.2 (or some earlier version... like 1.3, etc)? Does it alter the file system? Any way to force Win7 to use the older file system? I'm hoping for performance improvements due to less features in older NTFS, but I know little on the topic.
When I downloaded the Windows Easy Transfer utility for a 32 bit version of Windows Vista (Windows6.0-KB928635-x86) for file transfers to Windows 7 it will not install. I receive an error message that says, "The update does not apply to your system." But my system is a 32 bit version of Vista. I am trying to get prepared for my Windows 7 version that will arrive in October. Does anyone have any idea why I would be getting this error message?
I've been around here a couple of time in the last couple of years with my Vista machine and you all always seem to have the answers for me. So here I go again. Now I'm sure there is a simple fix for this, but I can't seem to find it. I happen to have two files now that I can NOT delete. I keep getting the message; Could not find this item. This is no longer lacated in C:UsersRoyBoyFavorites. Verify the item's location and try again................
how can I disable the annoying confirmation windows on delete of a file for instance? Second, how can I avoid the window asking for administrator privilege when I am logged in as an administrator?
I have a system that has FAT16 file system on it. I have that file system on that for some reason so I don’t need to upgrade on that….but recently I had some files deleted and now I need to get them back. They are important for my official use and hold great importance. I know that there is software for recovery but since I have a FAT16 file system I guess that all won’t work on that.
I downloaded a demo called Overclocked using ReGet Deluxe. When downloaded it comes as a Zip file which also had a file accompanying it. This is the file that I cannot delete. The extension says it’s a zip file but in properties it just says File as a file type & a size of 0 bytes. It’s located in my storage drive “D” When trying to delete the message I get is: This is no longer located in D:. Verify the item’s location and try again. Cannot move, rename or send to? It just comes up with the same message as above. UAC is disabled. Tried Unlocker but doesn’t work on Vista x64. (worked superb in XP) Used Regseeker and removed any traces that came up with. (Works ok in Vista but not 100% stable?) Tried Regedit and removed all traces of Overclocked in there. here is got to be a way of removing files like this without everyone’s solution of formatting. Surly it’s not as drastic as that?
I have a Vista Ultimate x64, which I reinstalled a few days ago. I also have a large drive(D:), where I keep some of my software, which i don't use regularly or which does not require a performance of my main RAID 0 (C:) setup.
Before reinstallation I didn't remove old software from drive D:. Didn't think I had to, afterall it's not the first reinstall that i'm doing and it would be kind of stupid. Anyways, to the point...
I have a folder "D:Program Files (x86)" with a bunch of software. I was able to delete all of it manually, but a few folders, created by adobe acrobat.
I am logged in as Administrator (actual administrator, not user with admin. perm.)
UAC is disabled
Drive is owned by this acct.
I was able to delete everything manually inside "AdobeAcrobat", but "D:Program Files (x86)AdobeAcrobat 9.0ResourceCMap" just would not delete, getting a "You need permission to perform this action" message.
Folders and Files are set as "Read Only" and when i'm trying to uncheck, i'm getting "You will need to provide Administrator permission to change these attributes" message, after clicking "Continue" i'm getting "An error occured applying attributes to the file" "...filename..." "Access is denied".
I have an Acrobat 8.0 folder from like a year and a half ago, which does the same thing......
All Files have "RA" in the attributes section of the details tab and Owner is "SYSTEM"
im having a similar problem but nothings working so far a) cant delete it - says "could not find this item. this is no longer located in _____. Verify the items location and try again. b) downloaded the take ownership reg and i right click, take ownership, try to delete, gives me same error saying cant find file c) i right click, properties, go to security, and it says "the requested security information is either unavailable or cant be displayed"
Windows Vista Ultimate 64.I right click and hit delete on a file and I get Item not found This is no longer located in C:UsersJustinDownloads verify the items location and try again.
The file is a MS Word docx, downloaded from my college's Blackboard system.I booted into safe mode (under the admin account) and ended up with the same message.I was told this could possible be an issue with Temporary Internet files and IE - I use Firefox. I cleared out the TIF on both browsers and the file is still there.
i am trying to delete a file for a program in order to copy a patched version of the file. Everytime i try vista says i need permission and i can't delete. My account is an Admin. I also tried to do it logged in as the default admin and it still didn't let me.
I have one day created a new directory of my own C: est. In it somme program creates now each day a file named "ciscoIHV.log" which I don´t know what it is and I would like to delete, but I'm not aloud to do it (another process is using it).
The date stamp of the file is updated each time I boot de Laptop. Somme one knows what is crating this file each time I switch my PC on? The attached file was renamed to ciscoIHV.txt because I couldn't upload it as log file
i have a file on my desktop called "Internet - arabbab8_s channel_5" it was a video "flv". it's 21.9 mb and i can't get it to delete. right-clicking it and doing properties doesn't open the properties window. if i move it to the recycle bin (with the keyboard delete button or the mouse, or shift and delete) the "calculation time remaining" delete dialogue comes up and the progress bar keeps on flashing, but it never deletes the file.
I downloaded something from download.com and now it wont let me delete it had no setup as soon as i clicked on the program it had an error message. so how do i delete this message? Or can you tell me how to reset my computer to earlyer today or yesterday?
I have a very unusual problem with my vista ultimate 64 bit, when ever I execute an exe file, I can't delete it afterwards. I can delete it after restart. There is no security problem, if I do not execute the file then I can delete, move and do what I want. The moment it is run, and certainly close it, I can't delete it any longer. I checked that the process is not running any more. I tried to see if something is locking the file, no handle was found on the file. It happens for different programs, no matter what as long as it is an .exe file. I tried unlocker program that said the file is not locked. It happens even on a usb key with FAT. The moment I run the exe from the key I can't delete it, and I can't remove the key the right way.
When I pull out the key, and return it, I can delete the file, it is free. But I can't do that to my hard drive. Tried scanning for virus, and malware - nothing was found. Tried security related, but since it happen on a usb FAT disk, and there is no security for that, I am starting to give up. At this time formatting the computer in not an option.
I was downloading some of my music off limewire with my new vista HP laptop, and you know, limewire automatically shows up pornography files when i search, i accidently clicked one and iits an image file with a very long name (not really) when i try to delete it , it wont go away, and when i right click, theres not delete or rename option. the images below show everythingg, and im looking everywhere for software that can delete this thing before someone sees... theres no image in it too! look below: No Delete or Rename option. When Its Opened
Every time i click on it it says this file is no longer located in usersxdesktop. I can't rename it or it says the source and destination file are the same. It is 0 mb, and it has no security tab. I looked at the desktop directory in command prompt, and it is listed there, but every time i try to delete it doesn't type the whole file name.
ok, so i think i made a big mistake and i have not clue hot to fix it.
so in the past on my older computers (ones that ran XP) i would make a new folder on my desktop and name it "alt+0160" and it would just have no name then, then i would change the icon to nothing and i would have an invisible icon and i would throw all my program icons into that folder and get rid of recycle bin icon so there was nothing on the desktop. well i just bought a laptop and it has vista on it and i did the same thing but i just deleted all the icons and hid the recycle bin icon in the properties somewhere i dont remember where but im sure you know what im talking about.
When trying to delete a file from a folder, it says "The action can't be completed because the file is open in another program. How do I find out what program is running that file?
I am having a problem deleting shortcut files as when i attempt to delete them it says that it could not find this item, they are also unable to be dragged into the recycle bin, nor are they able to be moved anywhere else. when i right click on them it says on the security tab after properties that it is unavailable or cant be displayed. This isnt happening with all the shortcuts but it is wasting space
getting a wireless router and now when i run ccleaner i have noticed it won't clear an IE file named: C:UsersAppdataLocalMicrosoftWindowsTemporaryInternetFilesContent.IE5DQ1WJL1M109[1]
i checked it out by opening hidden files and folders and it has this: res://CrogramFilesVirginBroadbandWirlessWirelessManagerLOC.dll/oem/109 cannot delete as it won't allow me just keeps saying try again, am i supposed to leave it alone or, if i am supposed to delete how do i. Best is i don't even venture near IE either.
Windows Vista Ultimate 64. I right click and hit delete on a file and I get Item not found This is no longer located in C:Users?blahblah/downloads verify the items location and try again. I booted into safe mode (under the admin account) and tried to delete it, and it still didn't work.
I am using a Lenovo 3000 N100 laptop with Vista Home Premium SP2. I have a folder that contains corrupted files. I am not able to delete the files or the folder. I ran chkdsk, and this would not complete because of the corrupt files. I then ran chkdsk /f, and this did not correct the problem. I tried Unlocker, and this was not able to delete the files. I did a scan for viruses and spyware, and my laptop is clean. My laptop works well with no other problems. My only concern is that neither System Restore or chkdsk work. Whenever I try to run System Restore, I get the message that it is unable to perform the task because of corrupted files. Is there anything else I can try short of doing a complete reinstall? I do not care to do a reinstall since I have no other issues with my computer.
I'm working on a friend's laptop which seems to have an awful lot of space taken up with files whose value I don't recognise. I'm using the neat "Treesize" utility to give me a breakdown. The following folders seem particularly bloated - I'd be really grateful for any guidance:
I've cleared out the various Temp folders (before moving on to the stacks of user data!) but I'd be glad to know if I can delete some or any of the above.
it was such a big hassle to delete a file in Vista. I am using Windows Vista Home Premium, on a Dell inspiron - 32 bit - Intel Core2 duo CPU - Memory Ram 2046 MB I had downloaded a video file on my desktop, but cancelled it before the dowload was completed and the file remained on the desktop. When I tried to right click and click delete or move it a window pops up "Calculating time remaining" and keeps on calculating don't know what!..............
I still don't know how to navigate the posting site, so I'm gona put it here Environment Variables I have 2 files the look similar user variables for owner
Temp % user profile % /Appdata/Local/Temp Tmp % user profile %/Appdata/Local/Temp Temp and Tmp What does it maen 2 Proccesses? can I delete one
