Resolved How to remove an extra copy of windows 10

I have accidentally installed a second copy of windows and now I need to remove it.

my drives are set up like this:

C: 120Gb SSD - operating system only
G: 500Gb HDD - Data files

so I managed to install the second copy on G: when I was having some issues with my system which I have now completely resolved.

my question is: is there any way to remove the G: windows without having to format the disk?

thanks
Terry

 

Are you sure that second copy is not the one booting?

If me, just to be sure, I would probably disconnect the power to the G drive, then boot the computer to make sure it boots properly. If all okay, you should just be able to delete the folders.

 

Right thanks Bill. For some reason I was assuming that I wouldn’t have “permission” to delete windows folders. I shall try your very simple solution.

 

No there is no option for that. Does it make a difference?

 

Ok I tried to delete these folders and it says: “you require permission from TrustedInstaller to make changes to this folder”.

G:\windows
G:\program files
G:\program files (x86)

now what?

 

Yes. If you saw that option, it would suggest the system is set up as a dual-boot system. Since you don't see that, then you should be able to delete the folders on your secondary drive with no problem.

Again, I would isolate the second drive and see if the system boot normally before I started deleting folders.

In fact, just to avoid making a stupid mistake, I probably would remove that second drive from the computer completely, install it in my docking station attached to a different computer, then delete those unwanted folders. But that's me. There are all sorts of enclosures or adaptors that work the same was as the docking station.

Okay, just saw your Trustedinstaller error - see this: Windows 10 Home - Getting "TrustedInstaller" permission to - Microsoft Community

 

Right. Good idea. I’ll just get myself one of those.