Inaccessible/undeletable files and folders on Win XP

[Haruko]

Before reformatting my computer, I had the option to maintain a backup of the files in a folder on my main hard drive, so I did so. But it turns out that the folder titled "Owner", along with all its contents, are inaccessible and undeletable; when I click on it I just get a pop-up saying "[insert folder location and name here] is inaccessible" and "access is denied". I tried searching the Microsoft articles for any help. I found one that dealt with my issue exactly, but for Windows XP Pro, not Windows XP Home, the version I have. The instructions have steps that I can't follow because Home doesn't have them, at least in the same place. I tried searching relevant articles, and sending an email to Microsoft, but alas to no avail.

Any idea how I can access or at least delete these files without having to wipe my hard drive? The presence of the Owner folder, along with some other folders in the Backup directory on my main hard drive being undeletable, is a notable problem because the data contained in those files make up the overwhelming majority of the used space on my hard drive.

[Stark]

HAVE YOU TRIED SAFE MODE LOL.

I'm not sure how Home implements user permissions (if at all), but it sounds like the folder is owned by the 'old' user from the old install, and the current user isn't allowed to change it. Try to change the permissions, create a user with the same name, etc.

Oh and try safe mode.

[Resinence]

I'm pretty sure XP Home doesn't have auditing, so you can't take ownership easily. But if you have a linux boot cd around you could boot that and strip the permissions.

[Stark]

I'm pretty sure XP Home doesn't have auditing, so you can't take ownership easily. But if you have a linux boot cd around you could boot that and strip the permissions with chmod.

Yeah, I've never used Home so I'm not familiar with the limitations. This issue actually still turns up in Vista upgrades, but Vista lets you fix it easily.

[TimothyC]

Have you tried Unlocker?

[Haruko]

Have you tried Unlocker?

Yes, to no avail. Unlocker will say there's no lock detected, but that it can help do something about the folder. I choose to delete it, and nothing happens. Choosing the other options also does nothing.

[Haruko]

...but it sounds like the folder is owned by the 'old' user from the old install, and the current user isn't allowed to change it. Try to change the permissions, create a user with the same name, etc.

I'm convinced that's exactly it, and that's how the Microsoft article that dealt with this exact issue, but for XP Pro, explained it.

And I'll try safe mode.

[Haruko]

Safe mode enabled me to fix the problem. A whole new Security tab showed up via right-click with plenty of options to work around the problem and transfer ownership.

[Phantasee]

Safe mode enabled me to fix the problem. A whole new Security tab showed up via right-click with plenty of options to work around the problem and transfer ownership.

And here I thought Starkers was just joking.

[Stark]

And here I thought Starkers was just joking.

Dude.

[Alan Bolte]

I see you've fixed it with safe mode, but I figure I'll mention this anyway: one thing I find weirdly useful in XP Pro (not sure about home) is that the del command using the command line seems to work in situations where you can't delete files normally. Not sure what the deal with that is.