I can't delete a folder?

[Nocandu]

Hi

I have run into this a couple of times.

I tried to delete an old folder that had a bunch of out of date stuff in sub folders. No matter what I did it would not let me.

I got the "You must be an administrator to continue" message and told it to go ahead but it would still refuse to do it.

I check properties and made it not read only etc.

I finally booted into Windows XP and deleted it from there but I would like to know how to get past this the next time it happens when I get my new computer and am not dual booting.

Mike

 

[smah]

It might depend on exactly where this folder is (within the folder structure) and who the owner is. In general, as a first step when this occurs, you could try taking ownership of the folder (and everything within). How to take ownership of a file or a folder in Windows XP (essentially the same for Vista & Win7)

 

[Nocandu]

Hi

Thanks for the info I'll check this out.

I am the only user on the PC so I don't know why it doesn't assume that I am the administrator. Usually W7 askes me if I want to use administrator privileges and then goes ahead and does it but not always.

The folder I wanted to delete was directly under drive C:\ not in any weird place.

Mike

 

[linney]

Something may have been using a file from within the folder and therefor preventing your deletion. If you are not dual booting and a reboot fails to fix the problem, you still have Safe Mode, or the Windows 7 Recovery Environment option.

Windows 7 is the same as Vista as far as the Recovery Environment option is concerned.

How to use the Command Prompt in the Vista Windows Recovery Environment

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial147.html

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP (or Windows 7)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421/en-us

Error Message: "Access Is Denied" When You Try to Open NTFS File System Folders

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q823306#appliesto

Add encrypted files to the list of possible reasons for Access Denied.