Can't delete unused profiles

[Nancy]

When I try to delete unused profiles from documents and settings, I get an
error that the profile is sharing Downloads with other profiles, and if I
delete the profile, I'll delete the Downloads folder.

I have several profiles that are left over from various reasons that aren't
used and are taking up a lot of hard drive space. They are:

Administrator
Administrator.DELL-1
Administrator.DELL-1.000
Administrator.DELL-1.001
All Users
All Users.WINDOWS
Default User
Default User.WINDOWS
LocalService
LocalService.NT AUTHORITY
LocalService.NT AUTHORITY.000
Nancy
Nancy1
NetworkService
NetworkService.NT AUTHORITY
NetworkService.NT AUTHORITY.000
Owner
Owner.DELL-1
Owner.DELL-1.000

I'm using the Nancy profile.

I know I have to keep
Administrator
All Users
Default User
Local Service
Nancy

Do I have to keep Owner as well? And what should I do to delete the unused
ones to free up hard drive space?

Nancy

 

[Wesley Vogel]

If you lose Full Control permissions to your profile folder, in the
%SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings folder, Windows 2000 and Windows XP
will create a new one the next time you log on. The new profile is named:

UserName - if the older profile was deleted.
UserName.ComputerName - if the old profile exists.
UserName.ComputerName.000 - if UserName.ComputerName exists.
UserName.ComputerName.001 - if UserName.ComputerName.000 exists.

Above explains how the names are arrived at.

Below are some links on how to recover and/or remove what's not needed.

Duplicate profile folders exist under the "Documents and Settings" folder
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/restprofile.htm

HOW TO: Restore a User Profile in Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314045

How do I recovery a lost local user profile?
http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBJ/tip4600/rh4631.htm

Scroll down to
Match Users to Data
here...
Windows Rejuvenated
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,119266,pg,3,00.asp

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

I'm sorry, but I didn't find anyting how to DELETE profile folders which for
various reasone have become duplicates. Can you be more specific where to
find information how to delete ...

"Wesley Vogel" skrev:

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Right click folder and select Delete.


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Not that simple I'm afraid. The system denies me to delete. It says (free
translation from swedish):
"Access denied to file IEC18.tmp. Check space on disc, that the file is not
in use and that is not protected from writing."
The disc space is enough but I am not able to uncheck 'Writeprotection'.
When I try to do that I receive message: "Not possible to apply the attribute
on file IEC18.tmp. Access denied."
I have administrator rights.
Best regards

 

[Wesley Vogel]

First, make sure that you are NOT logged on as whatever user that you are
trying to get rid of that same user's folders.

That is one explanation as to why IEC18.tmp may be in use.

Is IEC18.tmp in
%userprofile%\Local Settings\Temp
or
C:\Documents and Settings\User Name Here\Local Settings\Temp

Reboot into Safe Mode and then try to delete.

Another explanation is that IEC18.tmp may be malware.

UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and anti-spyware
software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode can
be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal themselves
in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode will prevent those
applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses or other malware
allowing for easier removal.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In