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General discussion

Cannot delete folder

Jan 5, 2010 9:15AM PST

Hello,

Two days ago my computer got the all too famous BSOD and refused to even let me run in Safe-mode, so I decided it was high time to finally upgrade to Windows 7. After installing a clean OS and messing around with Windows 7 a bit, I decided to clean up my D: drive (Storage) that I used for unessential programs such as iTunes, Google Chrome, and WinRAR. I left my partitioned C: drive (Local Disk) for my operating system. Then I have E: drive for games.

Now since none of the programs/folders were effected by the reformatted OS, everything is still on the Storage and Game drives but which can't be used. I've managed to delete everything off the E:, but when I try to delete an Adobe folder on D: it says "You'll need to provide administrator permission to delete this folder". But even after I log in as an administrator it says the exact same thing. Now I'm stuck with a folder I can't delete but has absolutely no use and I'm stumped as to how to fix it.

I'm thinking that it has something to do with it being a partitioned drive, and for some reason I think my computer believes it's an external HD (but doesn't think D: is) so I'm worried I did something seriously wrong.

Can someone help me?

Discussion is locked

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SATA drives may show as externals.
Jan 5, 2010 10:07AM PST

I've ignored that issue and will for some time.

Ok, I use two methods to purge directories like that.

1. I try SAFE MODE.
2. I boot the latest UBUNTU from CD and do not install but run it off the CD and delete the dir and files there.
Bob

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Try running it as an adminstrator first
Jan 6, 2010 12:42PM PST

Right click the program choose "Run as administrator".

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Permissions
Jan 7, 2010 3:00AM PST
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If this folder is left over
Jan 8, 2010 11:42AM PST

from the previous OS then something in it is probably trying to access the old registry to check there are no dependancies to prevent it being deleted. Since the old registry no longer exists it can no longer find the info it is looking for so assumes you don't have permission to access it.
If there are no other files on the D partition that you want to keep, format the partition.

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Wow figured this would be an easy one here...
Nov 14, 2010 6:56PM PST

Okay in basic it's because the drive you're trying to delete the folder from is formatted in NTFS and for security NTFS has "permissions" on every file and folder in it. In basic what is happening is you're telling it to delete the folder and the NTFS checks to see if your OS matches the OS that owns the folder (your old OS) and see's they don't match so it blocks you from deleting it, if you tried editing the folder or anything in it it'll do the same thing. Their are basically two ways to fix this.
1. Right click the folder and click "Properties"
Go to the "Security" tab
Click "Advanced"
Go to "Owner" tab
Click "Edit..."
In the window that comes up select your user name *AND* select "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects"
Click "Okay" and close out of all the properties and security windows then you *should* be able to delete the folder. If not then continue;

Right click the folder and click "Properties"
Go to the "Security" tab
Click "Advanced" then "Change Permissions..."
Make sure "Include inheritable permissions from this object's parent" is NOT selected, if it is selected unselect it and in the popup that comes up click "Add"
One at a time select a name from the list and click "Remove" till none are left then click "Add..." and type in your user name then click "Check Names" and "OK"
On the window that comes up check the checkbox to the right of "Full Control" under "Allow" then "OK"
Select "Replace all child object permissions with inheritable permissions from this object"
FINALLY click "Okay" then on the popup click "Yes"
Close out all those windows then try deleting the folder.

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Oops forgot #2 xP
Nov 14, 2010 7:01PM PST
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Thanks
Jun 30, 2011 5:19PM PDT

Thanks so much!

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Solution for delete folder
Nov 14, 2010 8:30PM PST

This is the reason that may be you format your PC and install new win 7. So, the problem is your some folder may have authority of your old user log in and now your are different user administrator. So, it says log in with administrator means old authorized login which is not possible.

So, the solution is goto folder properties > security tabs change permission of folder to anyone and remove other all access.

This is 100% working solution if you done proper way.

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Strange
Nov 14, 2010 8:46PM PST

I thought a format would have deleted all older files from the hard drive.

Mark

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Cut and Paste
Sep 29, 2011 5:23PM PDT

"Cut" the file at issue and the paste it in the Recycle Bin, uuuhhhmmm.