Learn how to delete a folder that has been protected with special rights by the software that put it there.
Introduction
When software installs on Windows Vista it carries special rights during the installation that only it can have. It can protect files and folders using those rights and make files and folder undeletable by most user accounts.
In certain circumstances you might need to delete a folder that was protected by the software installation. When you try to delete a folder Windows Vista tells you that you don’t have the proper privileges or rights to delete the folder even though you’re logged in as a user with administrative rights.
This guide shows you how to delete one of these folders.
Warning: Folders that are protected were protected for a reason. Delete the folders at your own risk.
Delete a Protected Folder
The only way I know how to delete a protected folder like the one discussed in this guide is to logon as Administrator and delete the folder using that account. There’s one problem though. By default you can’t logon as Administrator in Windows Vista.
Enable the Administrator Account
Read my Logon Windows Vista as Administrator guide and enable the Administrator account.
Delete the protected folder
Logon as Administrator and delete the protected folder.
Disable the Administrator Account
Disable the Administrator account so that your computer is secured. See the bottom of the Logon Windows Vista as Administrator guide for help with disabling the administrator account.
Still need help? Ask Your Computer Question Now.
Explore other guides about: All • Misc • Vista • Windows.
Hi
I am still having trouble deleting files. I have both enabled Administrator and login etc, but the thing is when I log into the administrator I dont see the files that I want to delete. My programs are not on the administrators account. For example, if i couldnt delete a word doc or one of my mp3s, when log into admin account those mp3s or word docs are not there.
therefore i cant delete the folder as admin because it is non existent on that account.. i hate vista haha
thanks
kris
You can’t find the folder you want to delete while logged in as Administrator because those files are saved in another user’s profile.
Try looking in the user account’s profile you normaly login to (C:\Users).
I agree with Kris. I am good at computers but Windows Vista is created for people who have nothing better to do than spend day and night friggin’ with it. I spend quite a bit of time on the computer and know them quite well. My Laptop is XP and my wifes new computer is Vista. I have fooled and tweaked etc, etc and one file will not go away.
So, sorry to say I agree, Vista sucks!
Period!!!
Brian
I need some help. I have vista and I can’t seem to delete this folder. I tried with CMD but is said system 5 error and something about permission. I then ran the CMD as administrator and it still would not delete. Please help.
I really need some help… The only thing I really know about computers is how to use them. As far a sneaky little commands and codes I’m lost. Here is my problem that I’m hoping there is a simple answer for.
I have a file on my desktop called “music.” At one point there may have been some mp3s in there that I took off my friend’s iPod. The folder is now empty but my computer won’t let me delete it. It keeps saying that it can’t find the path or that it’s not located where it says that it is located. All I want is to get this empty folder off my desktop but I can’t.
Any very simplified and step by step help or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks!
Try this little Jim Dandy…rename the file – then try deleting it. Always works for me. Good Luck!
Go to Unlocker. It’s goooood.
Ive logged on with the Normal Administrator Account and with the Root Administrator Account but i still cant delete the folder, please help!
I had the same problem as Kenna. Couldn’t delete a stupid music folder, but could get rid of everything in it. Every time I tried right-clicking to delete or clicking once and hitting the delete key, windows explorer would crash and not allow it. For some reason, once the folders were empty, I was able to drag it into the recycle bin, then empty the bin. WTF??? In any case, the files are gone now.
Simply run windows explorer as administrator, delete the directory/file… That’s it. Peace.
I need help I have vista,when i try to delete this folder nothing happens also i cant rename it and i cant move it into another folder,can anyone help me…???
that’s the same problem i have!!!
Hello everyone….Some of you saying windows vista sucks and all but its very safe and secured windows for users…..
If you guys having problem to delete a file or folder….then follow this … may be it will help you guys…
this problem occures in vista if sometimes you install a software and if having some problem with it, you uninstall and want to delete all of its files and everything….
first uninstall the software in control panel then go to c:/Programme Files and you will see the folder of that software…..open it and delete all files in it and then delete this folder also……then you will be able to delete that folder in your drive which was unable to delete….
I tried to help you if you not suceed then sorry may be you have some other problem…..you can send your queries to raj.senior@yahoo.in … i will try my level best to help you
thnx ….
I figured this out. Turn off System Restore.
Thats all there is to it.
Rev
Hello all,
I had the same problem and tried all the suggestions listed here. I am an MCSE (Microsoft Certifeid Systems Engineer) so I was pretty ticked that I could not get my empty desktop folder to delete.
I finally got it to delete. The fix was to open the task manager and look for a software process that was running – that shouldn’t have been running. For my computer I had just downloaded and installed the PayPal Wizards for QuickBoooks and for Outlook. I stored these wizards in the folder that I could not delete. The computer (Vista) kept telling me that the empty folder was in use by another program so I could not delete or send to recycle bin or delete as admin using Windows Explorer. I opened up the task manager and saw 2 instances of the PayPal outlook wizard running and Outlook was not even open. I ended the processes and then the I was able to delete the folder.
Hope this helps. Please be cautious when ending tasks in the task manger you can mess things up easily.
Sometimes when you get the permission denied error, its just a bug with explorer. Fix:
1) Ctrl+Shif+Esc to bring up task manager
2) Kill explorer.exe
3) Start up a cmd window and rename or delete your file
4) Start explorer again