How to Delete Files on Windows 10 That Insist on Staying 1. Try Killing the Task. Delete File Using Third Party Tool. Delete File Using Command Prompt. Safe Boot if All Else Fails. The problem of being unable to delete a File or Folder in Windows 10 can happen even if the File or Folder was created by you and you do have the permission to edit the File or Folder. In most cases, the reason for being Unable to Delete File or Folder in Windows 10 is due to the requested File. Aug 29, 2018 You cannot delete a file or a folder on an NTFS file system volume Content provided by Microsoft To continue receiving security updates for Windows, make sure you're running Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3). I can’t recall where I found my fix from, or else I’d happily credit the originator for this great solution, but here’s how I was able to finally delete that random folder that Windows.
I can't delete a certain folder in Windows 7. It's not a system folder. It was created by an app. I get an error message 'You need permission to perform this action. You require permission from Tony....'. I am an admin and logged in as myself Tony. I have full ownership of the folder with full control permission. I rebooted the machine. I killed the app which created the folder. I am out of ideas.
Why is Windows 7 not letting me delete the folder?
studiohack♦
13 Answers
I am not sure why this happens but there is a workaround.
To take control of the folder containing the undeletable create a text file called “delete.bat” and add the following lines to it:
You will need to change the directory path to match your requirements e.g. “C:Locked Directory” to “C:Delete Me”.
Right click on the file “delete.bat” select “Run As Administrator” and you should now have full control of the directory and all sub directories meaning you can do what you wish with them.
SahilSahilThe only way was to delete files starting from the lowest level folder in that folder. I got that error message with every folder which had subfolders. I deleted all files/subfolders working my way up.
Tony_HenrichTony_HenrichA folder can disallow a parent from overwriting its permissions, so it stops working at a certain depth.
Use Process Monitor and filter for ACCESS DENIED events to figure out this depth
Every time an ACCESS DENIED event occurs change the permissions as explained by @Sahil.
You can use Handle too see what processes are opening files within your folder.
Example:
Had this issue today with a Windows Update folder and would like to supplement the answer.
When permissions on a folder are correct (example below, with Admin being the administrator account I was logged in with):
But permissions on subfolders are different and do not propagate from the parent even though you tell them to, causing problems when trying to delete the parent folder:
Open a command prompt (personally, I did not need to elevate the prompt) and run
To replace Access Control Lists with default ACLs, traversing all subfolders. After this try deleting the folder.
Windows 8 Can't Delete Files
I had this issue and tried several of the answers here to no avail. However, I was able to simply delete the entire folder I was having problems with from an elevated command prompt like so:
Hope this helps someone.
download SysInternals Suite and use the following utilities
use Process Explorer and Process Monitor to find out whats happening with your file
or use the following stand alone utils
use AccessChk to get details not easily available via the GUI
use PSFILE to scan for any process that is holding the file openthen try the MoveFile utility to schedule a file delete in the next boot cycle.
The answer you're looking for will show up in the output of one of these utilities
When I run into a folder/file I can't delete and rebooting doesn't free the file. I will add to the security setting of the file/folder the Everyone group and set the permissions to Deny Full Control. Then when I reboot the machine, what ever was using the file/folder starts, it won't be able to read/write or lock the file/folder. Finally with nothing being able to use the file/folder, you will be free to delete it.
Hope this helps.
No go with Windows 7 Ultimate x64. Finally had to boot from a USB-based linux OS (which ignores file permissions in NTFS file systems) and delete the offending directory that way.
I assume UAC is enabled and you are trying to delete the folder from Windows Explorer. You should run Windows Explorer as administrator (right click on the icon and select 'Run as administrator') and then delete the folder.
The other alternative is to disable UAC, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Well, this happens for files that were installed by some kind installer, like under the TrustedInstaller user.
You need to pwn the file first,
- Right click the file, go to Properties/Security/Advanced.
- Owner tab/Edit/Change the owner to you (Administrator), save.
- Now you can go back to Properties/Security/ and assume Full Control over the file
You can use Unlocker utility to delete such folders.
It is very simple to use and it is completely free.
Try moving the folder to your Desktop and deleting it there, odd, but has worked for me under similar circumstances.
TogTogI had the same issue (Windows required permission from user X, while being connected as user X…):
I fixed it using unlocker (free, Microsoft Windows), then did:
After that, I could delete the directory without further issue.
Windows Can't Delete File As Administrator
Franck DernoncourtFranck Dernoncourtprotected by Community♦May 13 '11 at 7:15
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