Can't delete files on Windows Vista using XP

[Demi]

Hi,

I'm having dual boot of windows Vista and windows XP. In one drive on my HDD with Vista i have some my personal DATA also. Now i want to get rid from windows Vista . I don't want to format the drive Then i'll loose my personal DATA. When I try to delete the Vista system folders XP says it can't delete certain files with the typical message "cannot delete: access is denied". I tried all the different things.. restart under safe mode, etc etc..

How can i do that ? Without loosing my personal DATA.

[Raiz]

You can simply backup your personal data on another drive or stroage media like external hard disk. Then simply format the Vista drive.

[darshit]

Boot with Windows Vista dvd and start the command prompt. Then type the comand "rd windows /s /q"

[Abedin]

You need to take ownership of the files. Then you can modify the permissions accordingly. If you didn't setup the share, then you need to check with your Administrator and see why you don't have Delete permissions.

[jesse]

Try by taking ownership of that system folders of Vista :

To take ownership of a folder, follow these steps:

• Right-click the file that you want to take ownership of, and then click Properties.
• Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one appears).
• Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
• In the Name list, click Administrator, or click the Administrators group, and then click OK.
• Click OK, and then click Yes when you receive the following message: "You do not have permission to read the contents of directory folder name. Do you want to replace the directory permissions with permissions granting you Full Control?"
• All permissions will be replaced if you press Yes.
• Click OK, and then reapply the permissions and security settings that you want for the folder and its contents.

To take ownership of a file, follow these steps:

• Right-click the file that you want to take ownership of, and then click Properties.
• Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one appears).
• Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
• In the Name list, click Administrator, or click the Administrators group, and then click OK.
  
• The administrator or the Administrators group now owns the file.