trying to delete a folder - CANT!

i want to delete a folder called "program files (x86)" that i think was preserved from my clean install into windows 7 32 (i previously had vista 64 but had to downgrade to 32bit cos my hardware that i need only works with 32bit) ive tried deleting this but everytime i get the message:

"you need permission to perform this action.

you require permission from TrustedInstaller to make changes to this folder

Program Files (x86)"


anyone know a solution to this?

 

Make sure you don't have any programs installed in that directory, if so don't delete it.

Then:

Open a command prompt with Administrator Privileges and enter the following:
(you can copy and paste)

takeown /f "C:\Programs Files (x86)" /r /d n icacls "C:\Programs Files (x86)" /grant administrators:F /t

Exit the command prompt.

You should now be able to delete the "Program files (x86)" folder.

 

nope that is a system folder, just leave it alone or you may cause problems down the road. That folder is used to install 32-bit programs, MS must have made it the new defaults for both 32bit and 64bit OS to have the X86 folder and the common programs files without the x86. As i said before just leave it as is.

 

when you did a "clean" install, did you format the partition before installing?

 

Yes it is a system folder but if you install only the 32bit version of Windows 7 you will just get a "Program Files" folder, just as you did in Vista. You will only get a "Program Files (x86)" folder if you install the 64bit version.

The OP has a folder remnant "Program Files (x86)" left over because he downgraded from the 64 bit version. He can delete it if he wishes as long as it is empty with no programs listed.

 

I encounter this problem when I tweaked the Windows 7.
I don't know which(many?) services caused this problem.
If you really can't delete it, you can try some 3rd Party Software such as File Assassin(google it).

 

My solution in post 2 should allow him to delete the file. The command exists already within Windows 7.

 

/windows is also a leftover from a previous installation. I can give advice on how to delete that from a running system but you wouldn't like the results methinks.

 

Leave it alone. That folder is important, and deleting it doesn't tweak anything.

 

no all i did was make my pc boot from my dvd at startup.

 

There is no gain to deleting that folder, it will only case instability later on.

 

NO, as others have said it is not from the older version.
It's not some leftover crap.

It is a folder that comes with 64 bit win7. Any programs that cannot run in 64bits are installed there.

KEEP THE FOLDER. IT IS PART OF 64bit WIN7.

If you don't want the folder, install 32bit win7.

 

Exactly, did you read his orginal post? He originally installed 64bit then decided to install 32bit over it as he wanted to go back to 32bit.

And this is what led to his post in the first place. He did (and is presently running 32bit) but since he didn't do a clean install of 32bit the folder remains from his original install of 64bit (and I presume empty but he never answered the question).

I would also just leave the folder alone but I did answer his question about how to get rid of it if he desired. The folder does not have any use in his current OS invironment (again assuming it is empty).

 

In the future I would advise doing a clean install whenever moving from 32-bit to 64-bit (or vice versa).

 

Sorry about that , maybe I should take more time to read before I post