How do I delete an old encrypted XP profile that is no longer need

[Guest]

I rebuilt an old XP PC by performing a complete re-install of XP home (SP2),
choosing to reformat/erase all existing data (or so I thought!)
All the programs etc are gone.. but the user profiles, and some of their
data, remained
I deleted all the old profiles in explorer bar one.. the profile for my old
account, which I'd chosen to encrypt (for reasons even I can't remember!).
I cannot delete it, can't see what's in it (just clicking on it gives me the
old 'not accessible'/ 'access denied' message)
Is there any way I can get rid of this?

 

[Vanguard]

I rebuilt an old XP PC by performing a complete re-install of XP home
(SP2),
choosing to reformat/erase all existing data (or so I thought!)
All the programs etc are gone.. but the user profiles, and some of their
data, remained
I deleted all the old profiles in explorer bar one.. the profile for my
old
account, which I'd chosen to encrypt (for reasons even I can't remember!).
I cannot delete it, can't see what's in it (just clicking on it gives me
the
old 'not accessible'/ 'access denied' message)
Is there any way I can get rid of this?

Encryption and permissions are separate security mechanisms. The *contents*
of the encrypted folder or file are what you cannot see, but the
*permissions* on that folder or file are still available to the file system.
So, as an administrator, take ownership of the folder or file and do what
you want with it.

Windows XP Home Edition requires you to reboot into Safe Mode to login under
an admin-level account to perform permission changes. With Windows XP Pro,
you could simply logoff and then just login under the admin account.