Windows XP forum: Files in XP that I can't delete

Just to be sure, these files are in C:\Program files\Adobe(1) and C:\Program files\Adobe(2), where Adobe(1) and Adobe(2) are folders.

Is that right?

If so, what are the file names?

Are there any other files in those folders? If not, what happens if you attempt to delete the folders themselves?

If you check the Properties of those folders and files, (right click each, select Properties), are their attributes set as Read Only? If so, can you change those attributes and remove the Read Only settings?

If all else fails, you could try a utility called MoveOnBoot, from MajorGeeks;
http://majorgeeks.com/MoveOnBoot_d5556.html

That will let you select the files, (and/or the folders), and the next time you start the computer, MoveOnBoot will attempt to delete them. Be careful though. MoveOnBoot is a very powerful utility, and will delete anything you select, even if you did not mean to select it.

Mark

or you have no permission to alter them. You might try taking ownership of the folders they are in and setting to automatically apply these settings to child objects.

Wow! That worked Stephen! It gave a feeling of sweet satisfaction and accompllishment to finally see those two folders in my recycle bin.

You receive the coveted Einstein award.

That's the most I've ever dug into my computer though.

I couldn't delete the files because I didn't have ownership of them. But that's crazy because it's my computer, I'm the only user, and I should own everything in it.

Any ideas what happened or what's going on?

When I got to the properties of the files in safe mode, it said that "System" had full control of the files, and that the files were owned by a plural of me, and that there was more than one administrator. I thought I was the only administrator.

In my computer, my user name is Roger, and I have administrative status. And in the general section of the properties window my name was listed, but only read and execute activites were allowed.

When I clicked on the securities tab, my name was again listed, but a plural of me was also listed. Administrators (Roger\Administrators) as opposed to Administrator (Roger\Administrator)

And the plural me was listed as having control of the file.

And when I started the computer in safe mode, I had a choice of loging on as one of two users. Roger and "Administrator"

Who is this other administrator?

Roger

Well done for sorting it out.

And the fact that you have two Admin accounts is good news. The other one is hidden from normal view and is only displayed on the Welcome Screen in Safe Mode, but if you use Windows Explorer, (eg My Computer and expand the C drive), you will see both your profile account and that of the Administrator, under Documents and Settings.

What is it?

When that computer was first shipped to you, or whichever way you received it, it came with a System Administrator account already set up. You needed an initial Administrator account to be able to access the Operating System with full Admin powers. It is always recommended that the first task is to create another Admin account, with the name of your choice, and use that from now on. As soon as that is done, the system Administrator account disappears from normal view. That's a safety precaution.

You won't believe the number of times we see posts from users who have failed to do this, and continue to use the system Administrator account, and then somewhere down the line that account becomes corrupted, and they are stuck. They cannot access the operating system as an Admin. That normally ends in a complete re-install, and starting again.

So, it looks like that was done for you, and it is as well it has been.

I would go one further. I would create a 2nd Admin account, and then when you start the computer each time the Welcome Screen will display, and you select which account to log in under. With a 2nd Admin account you have a fall back if your usual account becomes corrupted, leaving the hidden System Administrator account for dire emergencies.

Nice work, and good luck.

Mark

Steve: My name is Chino. I am having the same problem as the gentleman you just helped. Unfortunately I am not the sharpest pencil in the drawer as he seems to be when it comes to computers. How exactly do I take ownership of the folders to set them to automatically apply the settings to child objects? I am running windows XP. Thank you for any help you can provide.
Chino

Hello!
I joined this forum because I am desperate.
I want to delete these 2 files from my computer: Identity-H and Identity-V
Somebody gave me a hard drive with a copy of windows XP on it along with all it's files. I moved some of my own files to that hard drive so I don't want to format it JUST TO GET RID of these 2 files. The person who gave me the hard drive HAS NO CLUE about windows, adobe or any other software or hardware so he cannot give me any info.
Please give me a hint how to ERASE those files and afterwads the folders they are in. NOTHING I'VE FOUND UNTIL NOW WORKS!!! And believe me i've searched all the blogs, forums, etc., tried most of the eraser/deleter/unlocker softwares out there. This is the first time GOOGLE fails me :)) so if there is anyone out there who had a similar problem and solved it somehow whitout formating the hard drive please HELP ME!!!!!!!

the drive i have these files is not the one i have my system on. in MY XP i have these files and will keep them (for now). But on this drive i'm stuck with them still because i cannot apply any of your solutions. I cannot take ownership of these files because i don't have the security tab on properties, and from add/remove i can only delete MY files not THESE other ones outside MY SYSTEM

I will consider your solution
Any other suggestions are welcome

i tried with powerquest but didnt work. i will try this hope this will. thanks again