Can't delete a file as Administrator

[Richard]

As an Administrator when you first install Vista I know I'm not the big boss
of my computer. There is a built in Administrator which I assign a made up
user to and when I log on as the built in Administrator which now makes me
the boss I still couldn't delete McAfee exe files which I'm trying to get
rid of. My computer say I don't have permission to delete the files. So I
must me doing something wrong. Any suggestions?

Richard

 

[\LG\]

As an Administrator when you first install Vista I know I'm not the big
boss of my computer. There is a built in Administrator which I assign a
made up user to and when I log on as the built in Administrator which now
makes me the boss I still couldn't delete McAfee exe files which I'm
trying to get rid of. My computer say I don't have permission to delete
the files. So I must me doing something wrong. Any suggestions?

You must take ownership of the file to gain full control. Right now "System"
is the owner.

properties/security/advanced/owner/edit

 

[Frankster]

Are you sure it says you don't have permission? Or does it say the file is
in use? In any event, you should probably use the McAfee Uninstall program
rather than deleting individual files. Having said that, assuming you have
already used the McAfee Uninstall program unsuccessfully, you can download
this program from the McAfee website to uninstall the remnants of McAfee...
(this is for consumer versions of McAfee)

http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

-Frank

 

[Dale]

To build on what LG posted here, let me add that the problem is permissions.
Being administrator in no way guarantees that you have full access to every
file. It is quite common for administrators to have no access to financial
or human resources files at an office, for instance. What LG posted about
taking ownership is the first step. Then you will have to give yourself
permission. That is sort of a fail-safe in the Windows security model.

You can block the admin guy (or gal, Jane) from sensitive data but if the
human resources manager leaves, the admin can take ownership and then allow
the new human resources manager to take ownership. Ownership cannot be
assigned but must be taken by someone with Take Ownership permissions. The
ownership changes are auditable so if you have a good audit policy in place
you can still provide security for sensitive data or fire the admin guy if
he takes ownership inappropriately.

Hope this helps,

Dale

 

[Scott]

To build on what LG posted here, let me add that the problem is permissions.
Being administrator in no way guarantees that you have full access to every
file.

Strangely in Linux it does (root = Administrator).

Kiss everything goodbye with

# rm -rf /