Deleting remnants of a previous owner

Bought a used computer, and tried to make it my own by removing the previous owner's name via the regedit program. However, under the Documents and Settings folder, in addition to Administrator and All users, is the previous owner's folder. Trying to move, remove, or rename it comes up with a dialog box that says it" is a Windows system folder and is required for Windows to run properly. It cannot be moved or renamed. "
Is there a workaround for this?
Thanks.

 

Which account are you using to logon? Is it perhaps the original owners account renamed?

DRD

 

To Net Doc

Yes, that is what I did under the control panel user accounts. I just changed the name to mine, and changed the picture.
What should I have done?
Vic

 

Hello Vic,

What you could have done after establishing your own account:

To delete the unwanted folder: Try Safe Mode first. Boot up hitting the F8 key and delete, than reboot normally.

If the file still won't delete - Use Move On Boot, download from here: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/moveonboot.html to delete it. It will add a new item to your right click Context Menu, target that file with Move on Boot, and then reboot.

Regards - Charles

 

To Charlesvar

I booted into safe mode, but got the exact same warning or notice about not being permitted to delete the folder since windows needs it for proper operation. I am now thinking that perhaps removing it has the potential to harm the proper operation, or is this a case of overstating the importance of the folder? It is essentially empty, and doesn't take up that much room.
Would you still recommmend the move on boot utility?
Maybe I should establish a restore point first and then give he removal a shot?
Thanks,
Vic

 

Hello Vic,

Maybe I should establish a restore point first and then give he removal a shot?
If you want to remove the folder, a manual SR point is an excellemt move - should be SOP whenever the user makes a change to the System.

Regards - Charles

 

Since the username was changed from the original, the profile being used is the same one. While in use it cannot be deleted. If it is the original Administrator account it cannot be deleted.

By creating a new account and making it an Administrator and then logging in, you should be able to delete the old profile, but not the account.

DRD

 

Thanks.

I think I'll just live with the old folder on this computer. I'm not sure I know the difference between profile and account. Since one or the other cannot be deleted under any circumstance short of formatting and reinstalling, I guess I'll just let it be.
Thanks again,
Vic