[Windows XP Home Edition] An empty folder I can't delete

[Thanee]

Did you try it with the 'hidden' default administrator account or only with your own admin account?

http://www.ncsu.edu/resnet/windows/passwords/xp_passwords_admin.php

Bye
Thanee

 

[Michael Silverbane]

A few weeks ago, I helped a friend remove a file that he couldn't get to go away... In the end, I ended up pointing him to Delete Stubborn Files this webpage, which includes a step-by-step guide and points to a free application that should be able to clear up your problems.

Later
silver

 

[jdrakeh]

It's quite possible that the file in question contains hidden system files or is locked during use, meaning that it must be queued for removal during boot-up. Also, if you're not logged in as a true admin or power user, you may not bea ble to delete certain files.

 

[jaerdaph]

Did you try it with the 'hidden' default administrator account or only with your own admin account?

Yeah, I tried everything while logged into that hidden administrator account.

It's quite possible that the file in question contains hidden system files or is locked during use, meaning that it must be queued for removal during boot-up. Also, if you're not logged in as a true admin or power user, you may not be able to delete certain files.

That hidden administrator account in WinXP Home isn't really a true, full rights administrator account, is it?

 

[Redrobes]

You could try this one. This app is also designed to do your job...

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/FileAndDisk/pendmoves.mspx

 

[Wonko the Sane]

This is a neat little program that unlocks files/folders when you get the "cannot move/delete/access file" error.

 

[jdrakeh]

That hidden administrator account in WinXP Home isn't really a true, full rights administrator account, is it?

It should be, yes. Here is a link.

[Note: Obviously, you can ignore references to XP Pro. Home should work the same way. Once logged in as an admin in Safe Mode, you should be able to delete the file.]

 

[jaerdaph]

It should be, yes. Here is a link.

[Note: Obviously, you can ignore references to XP Pro. Home should work the same way. Once logged in as an admin in Safe Mode, you should be able to delete the file.]

Yeah, that's how I was getting into the administrator account. Anything I did try still gives me access denied for the folder.

A few weeks ago, I helped a friend remove a file that he couldn't get to go away... In the end, I ended up pointing him to Delete Stubborn Files this webpage, which includes a step-by-step guide and points to a free application that should be able to clear up your problems.

Unfortunately, that program only works for files, not folders, apparently. I couldn't even get it to select the folder without the access denied error.

This is a neat little program that unlocks files/folders when you get the "cannot move/delete/access file" error.

Tried that too. Unlocker didn't work for me either.

You could try this one. This app is also designed to do your job...

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/FileAndDisk/pendmoves.mspx

Another bust, but thanks for the tip.

Thanks everyone. I re-tried all this stuff in both the administrator account and my regular account today but again to no avail. I really do appreciate all your help and suggestions, though. This is why EN World is such a great community.

 

[Redrobes]

Thats a real corker you got there. I thought that something like a service had a file open in that folder and it was not allowing you to delete it based on that but it sounds like the folder has some set of permissions that you cant obtain in order to delete it - even with admin access ! I believe that XP Home does not allow you to see those permissions but I think this app will tell you.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Security/AccessEnum.mspx

All I can suggest now is to see what it thinks the access actually is and try to get something to match or exceed it.

On XP pro folders can have permissions set or inherit from the parent folder so remember to check its parents all the way to the top. Somebody must have a very limited set. Im not sure how you can change them on Home. Maybe burn a Ubuntu disk and delete it from there !

Edit -- Apparently - and this was news to me - this utility below will tell you the exact error why a file process (like delete) failed. You might have to dig around for what the resulting code actually means in real terms but it should give the real reason. Probably inadequate permissions of course but worth checking.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/processmonitor.mspx

 

[dogoftheunderworld]

Have you tried booting with a Linux bootable cd, and removing the file that way?

I am not personally familiar with Linux, but I believe you would have file access, unless it is some virtual folder created by Winodws.

Good Luck!