I downloaded and installed CoDeSys using an MSI installer. The installation seemed to complete successfully, but when I tried to close the installer window, I accidentally initiated a rollback which removed the application.
Now, when I try to reinstall CoDeSys, the installer prompts me to remove the previous installation folder, which I cannot do because I don’t have permission from SYSTEM.
I’ve tried changing the folder owner and permissions, but nothing seems to work.
I’m using Windows 10 and cannot find an uninstall executable to remove the remaining files.
3 Answers
Introduction
Installing and uninstalling software can be a tricky task, especially when it comes to removing files from system directories such as Program Files. In this blog post, we will discuss a common issue faced by Windows 10 users where they are unable to delete a folder from the Program Files directory. We will take a specific example of CoDeSys, an application that users have reported issues with. We will explore the reasons behind this issue and provide some possible solutions.
Understanding the Issue
When you install an application, it creates files and folders in various directories on your computer. These directories include Program Files, Program Files (x86), and AppData. These directories are protected by the operating system, and only users with administrator privileges can make changes to the files and folders within them.
In the case of CoDeSys, the application was installed using an MSI installer. However, during the installation process, the user initiated a rollback which removed the application. When the user tried to reinstall CoDeSys, the installer prompted them to remove the previous installation folder. This is where the issue arises as the user does not have permission from SYSTEM to remove the folder.
The SYSTEM account is the highest level of privilege on a Windows computer. It has complete control over the operating system and can modify any file or folder. When a file or folder is created in the Program Files directory, it is owned by the SYSTEM account. This means that even if you are logged in as an administrator, you do not have full control over the file or folder.
Possible Solutions
There are several possible solutions to this issue. We will discuss some of the most effective solutions that have worked for users facing this problem.
1. Take Ownership of the Folder
The first solution is to take ownership of the folder. When you take ownership of a file or folder, you gain full control over it. You can then modify or delete the file or folder as you wish.
To take ownership of the CoDeSys folder, follow these steps:
1. Right-click on the folder and select Properties.
2. Click on the Security tab.
3. Click on the Advanced button.
4. Click on the Change link next to the Owner field.
5. Enter your username in the Object name field and click on Check Names. Your username should be underlined.
6. Click on OK to save the changes.
7. Check the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects checkbox.
8. Click on Apply and then OK.
You should now have ownership of the CoDeSys folder, and you can delete it.
2. Use Command Prompt
Another solution is to use Command Prompt to delete the folder. This method involves running Command Prompt as an administrator and using the del command to delete the folder.
To delete the CoDeSys folder using Command Prompt, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Navigate to the Program Files directory by typing cd “C:Program Files” (without the quotes) and pressing Enter.
3. Type dir to list all the files and folders in the directory.
4. Type rmdir /s CoDeSys to delete the CoDeSys folder and all its subfolders.
This should delete the CoDeSys folder from your computer.
3. Use Safe Mode
If the above solutions do not work, you can try booting your computer into Safe Mode and then deleting the folder. Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. This mode is useful when you need to troubleshoot issues with your computer.
To boot your computer into Safe Mode, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter.
3. Click on the Boot tab.
4. Check the Safe boot checkbox and select Minimal.
5. Click on Apply and then OK.
6. Restart your computer.
Once your computer has booted into Safe Mode, try deleting the CoDeSys folder using one of the methods mentioned above.
4. Use a Third-Party Tool
If all else fails, you can use a third-party tool to delete the folder. There are several tools available online that can help you delete stubborn files and folders. One such tool is Unlocker, which is a free tool that allows you to unlock and delete files that are in use by other processes.
To use Unlocker to delete the CoDeSys folder, follow these steps:
1. Download and install Unlocker from the official website.
2. Right-click on the CoDeSys folder and select Unlocker.
3. Click on the Unlock All button.
4. Click on the Delete button.
This should delete the CoDeSys folder from your computer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, deleting a folder from the Program Files directory can be a challenging task. However, by following the solutions mentioned above, you should be able to delete the folder successfully. Taking ownership of the folder, using Command Prompt, booting into Safe Mode, and using a third-party tool are some of the most effective solutions to this problem. If you are still unable to delete the folder, you may need to seek professional help.
The most likely cause of this issue is that the installer has left behind files that are still in use by the system or by another application. It is not possible to delete a folder from the Program Files directory because it is a protected folder and any changes to that folder require admin rights. Furthermore, it is not recommended to manually delete files from this directory.
In order to resolve this issue, you will need to use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility (msicuu2.exe). This utility scans your system for any orphaned files left behind by failed installations and gives you the option to clean them up. After this process is complete, you should be able to delete the folder in question.
To use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility:
- Go to the link https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/290301/how-to-use-the-windows-installer-cleanup-utility
- Download and run the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility
- Select the program from the list that corresponds to the folder you want to remove
- Click “Remove”
- Click “Exit”
After this process is complete, you should be able to delete the folder in question.
You may also try using the SFC (System File Checker) utility to scan your system files for any corrupt or missing system files. This utility will scan your system, identify any corrupt or missing files, and replace them with the correct versions. This may resolve the issue as well.
In addition, you may also want to try running the Disk Cleanup Utility to remove any unnecessary files from your system. This utility will scan your system for any temporary files, internet files, and other unnecessary files that can be safely removed.
In summary, it is not possible to delete a folder from the Program Files directory because it is a protected folder and any changes to that folder require admin rights. To resolve the issue, you can use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to clean up any orphaned files left behind by failed installations, run the SFC utility to scan for corrupt or missing system files, and run the Disk Cleanup Utility to remove unnecessary files from your system.
If you need any additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
One suggestion is to open cmd as an administrator and use the command “rmdir /s /q C:/Program Files/CODESYS 3.5.15.20” to remove the specified file path.