Safely Deleting "Access Denied" Files

I have some (empty) folders left over from an incomplete uninstall. My fault for not using Revo Uninstaller the FIRST time. I can only delete them by clicking on "Properties" then "Security" and allowing permissions for "Everyone." (Hope that makes SOME sense!) I cannot delete them by allowing permissions for "Administrator" myself, or "SYSTEM." Is it safe to allow everyone who uses my computer (just me, so not worried about somebody else screwing around with my system) to delete these files? I have scanned all of them with Advanced System Care 6, Microsoft Security Essentials and IOBit AntiMalware. My OS is Windows XP, which is completely up to date.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

Rather than changing permissions it's better to logon using XP's hidden Administrator account, which is not the same as your user account with Admin privileges as it allows you full access to protected files. If you boot into Safe Mode you will be able to logon to this hidden account and delete what you want, and while in that account it would be advisable to give it a password too as by default there isn't one. To boot into Safe Mode start tapping F8 as the system boots up.

 

There is only one problem with your suggestion: the files I want to delete are not available when I log on as Administrator in Safe Mode. Thanks anyway!

 

I can't fathom that but there really is a surefire way of being able to delete absolutely anything, and that is to burn and boot to a Linux live CD. The smallest and easiest is Puppy Linux, and the current version of Slacko should work well. This won't install anything at all on your hard disk but will enable you to browse it and delete any files you want. If you haven't tried this before you may be astonished at what else it can do.

If it works for you I would also advocate removing Everyone from those folder permissions where you have already added it.