Windows 10: 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: icacls "C:" /t /c /q /RESET[/quote] This command restores permissions to default for all files contained within C:\ quietly.

Followed by this command once completed:

Code: icacls "c:\" /t /c /q Administrators:f[/quote] 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.

 

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

Followed by this command once completed:

Code: icacls "c:\" /t /c /q Administrators:f[/quote] 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.[/quote] I am trying this, but it's taking a very long time.

 

Yes. The reason being it selects each file inside of your hard drive and re-corrects the permissions and regrants your Administrator account full access rights over all files.

This can take a while depending on your hardware specs, of course.

Please be patient. *Smile

 

@Hydrate, you must be careful with your suggestions.

This command restores permissions to default for all files contained within C:\ quietly.[/quote] No it doesn't. It replaces ACLs with inherited ACLs. A default Windows install does not take inherited permissions from root.

This command restores full permissions to the Administrators on the computer[/quote] Again, no it doesn't. It grants full access to administrators group which Windows does not do and would be unwise to do.

There is no way (apart from a clean install) to reset default permissions any more.

If OP wants to delete a specific file a safer way would be to change the permissions on that specific file (by taking ownerhip and granting permissions) or use unlocker which will do it at boot.

Changing permissions on the whole C drive is a bad idea.

 

Thank you very much, UnLock IT has worked very well.
Unfortunatly, after I tried the first thing you suggested, it flashes and error message when I try to click on any file

 

Assuming there is nothing you want in your recycle bin, if it is corrupted you can delete the $recycle.bin file(s) from all your partitions and they will be regenerated next boot.

Fix: Recycle Bin is corrupted

 

My apologies, I should have known better to reset simply the affected targeted directory.

Again, if there are any issues please let me know thread starter.

 

I cannot delete a file .I read the above, but did not really understand. I have removed the login screen via 'netplwiz' and the registry per your tutorial. Using just 'netplwiz' did not work.

When I click on 'Security' tab of folder their are three user names. All permisions checked on all three
1) SYSTEM
2) ME
3)Administrators(DESKTOP......)

I am the only one using this computer. How do I have control to do anything I want without dealing with this?

Thanks,
Doak