Windows 10: Can't open files as admin, can't give self permissions

Hi, I'm at my wits end here with my/my friend's computer and am really hoping someone can help as we're not very tech savvy.. We've tried every resolution we could find online and nothing has worked :/.


She's running Windows 10 Home Edition and can't delete files en masse without being blocked by a pop-up reading "access denied" due to not being an Administrator. Her account however is definitely Admin and she can log in. She's also the only acc on the computer.


We've tried:


1. Going into file permissions > security > changing the file Admin owner to her username / account


2. Entering net user administrator active:yes into the terminal it stays at no and can't be changed due to "not being an admin"


3. Deleting antivirus software.


These are all the options we've found online; unfortunately again, nothing has worked, and at this point we can't even open certain files due to this issue.

I apologise if any of this isn't clear enough please let me know as I'm not super tech savvy; if anyone knows more and could help please let me know !!


Thank you in advance <3

:)

 

File permissions to delete file

I am trying this, but it's taking a very long time.

 

Can´t open files

Can´t open file. Error code: -2147023143.

When trying to open file (mp3, avi, jpg, pdf, doc) via Total Commander, there is Error:

There are no more endpoints available from the endpoint mapper. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x800706D9).


The only way how I can see photos captured by my phone is through app Photos. I cannot see new photos via application Photos, until I power off and switch on my phone.


When I try to open file via app Files:

Can´t complete Can´t open file abcxyz.mp3. Error code: -2147023143. You can mention this code when providing feedback.

The only possibility how I can open mp3 on my phone is through app Music+videos, which is not practical at all, because it does not allow showing mp3 in files. Instead it divides them into artists, albums, songs, genres, playlists.

It is not possible to open attachments in e-mail:

Can´t open attachement. Ooops! We´re not sure what´s wrong, but we can´t open this file.

When I want to backup my stuff to the cloud, so that I could reset the phone afterwards:

There was a problem backing up your settings. Try again later.


Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM

 

File permissions to delete file

Windows is extremely confusing in its permissions and file ownership.*Sad

If Taking Ownership of the files does not work, then the ACL and permissions are misconfigured.

Permissions precedes the ownership, you can have ownership but incorrect permissions in accordance with the ACL Access Control Lists (Windows).

Microsoft - How Permissions Work

I suggest that you open powershell (Search > type powershell > Right click > run as admin) and execute this command:

Code:

This command restores permissions to default for all files contained within C:\ quietly.

Followed by this command once completed:

Code:

This command restores full permissions to the Administrators on the computer, which I presume you are an Administrator.

And reboot the computer, and finally attempt to delete the file after attempting to retake ownership.

If that does not work, then I suggest using a third party utility known as UnlockIT:
Downloads - UnLock IT

And download, install. Ensure you select customized installation.

Right click the folder that contains the files or the files individually that you would like to delete, and follow as here:






Then this should delete all files you right clicked upon after restarting the system.

You should not run into issues regarding permissions after this, and if you do, post again and I'll look into it.

Side note: often times malware tends to hijack a system and fluff itself in permissions that benefit itself.