When Windows does not let you delete a folder

Our today's article will show you what to do if Windows won't let you delete a folder in the you.

Deleting a folder in Windows is not a difficult task. Just highlight the folder you want to delete and press the Delete button on the keyboard. Or you can just right-click on a folder and select Delete. The issue arises when at some point none of them work. In this article, we will discuss such an issue and what you can do.

And suddenly Windows does not let you delete a folder. Most people who have not had such a thing will think: “Slow down now. So what?". But come on, you usually get mad and think that "this operating system can not do what it wants" and that "either Windows or you" !!

Your initial classic attempts to delete the folder are supplemented by several simple tricks, such as running a scan with Windows Defender for any problems , to restart the computer and the like, which finally when they don't work make your nerves rags.

We suggest you think a little more professionally. Make sure you do not spend so much time deleting someone folder required for Windows operation, so they do well and do not leave you. If the folder you want to delete has nothing to do with your operating system and you are experiencing this strange problem, then make the following three fixes that will help you.

REPAIR 1 - Obtain folder ownership
One of the most common reasons why you can't delete a folder is ownership. In Windows, all objects as one , a folder, etc. well protected by copyright and ownership. So you will only be able to delete a folder if you have permissions to do so.

Additionally, it also depends on who owns that folder. If you are experiencing this issue, you probably do not own this folder and do not have rights s. So follow the guide below to acquire ownership of the file:

1. Right-click on the file or folder you want to take ownership of and select Properties.

2. On the Properties tab, go to the Security tab and click Advanced.

3. Then, in the “Additional Security Settings” window ( Security Settings), κάντε κλικ στο “Αλλαγή” (Change link) δίπλα στον Κάτοχο (Owner). Όπως μπορείτε να δείτε στο παρακάτω στιγμιότυπο , the current owner name listed is SYSTEM . When we take ownership, our username will be displayed.

4. Then, in the "Select: User or Group" window, click the Advanced button.

5. Going to the next window, first click on "Find Now". Then, from the search results, get the account that you want and that you want to define as the owner of the content. Double-click this account name.

6. This will show you the account that was added again in the Select: User or Group window, then click OK.

7. Now go back to the Advanced Security Settings window, select "Replace Holder in Secondary Containers and Objects". Click Apply, followed by OK.

8. In the Windows Security Confirmation query, click OK. Then click the Apply button, then OK in the other windows we have opened so far and close them.

Once you have acquired ownership of the folder you can now easily delete it.

REPAIR 2 - Inheritance exclusion
Another reason for not deleting a folder is if that folder receives permissions from its parent folder. A parent file may have some other rights and ownership. Therefore, you should try to exclude the inheritance and see if it helps you solve the problem.

1. Right-click the folder that you cannot delete and select Properties.

2. Next, go to the “Security” tab and click on “Advanced”. In the “Additional Security Settings” window, click “Ans transfer".

3. Next, select "Remove All Transfer Rights". Click Apply, and then click OK.

Now the file should be free of inheritance rights from its parent file and you should be able to delete it after acquiring ownership.

FIX 3 – Using it of commands
If Fixes 1 and 2 do not resolve your issue, then the folder that you can not delete may have symbolic links or junctions. Try using these steps to delete the folder:

1. Open it command line with administrator privileges .

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

3. When done, close the command prompt.

We hope we helped you!

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Written by Dimitris

Dimitris hates on Mondays .....

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