How do I delete a protected folder?

[MrBill]

I have a file which folder which the system will not let me delete.
What's worse if that I can't even view the contents using Internet
Explorer. I've gone into Safe Mode but still cannot get at the file.
So in Safe Mode I've played with the permissions but even this doesn't
make it possible for me to delete or view it.

Interestingly enough, I was able to change the name of the top level
folder with no problem. I'm also able to copy the full file during my
back up - when viewing the backup I can see that it's just a garbage
file.

How do I get rid of it?

Thanks, Bill

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Try the following free utility:

Unlocker v1.8.5
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/#download

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mr. Bill" wrote:

| I have a file which folder which the system will not let me delete.
| What's worse if that I can't even view the contents using Internet
| Explorer. I've gone into Safe Mode but still cannot get at the file.
| So in Safe Mode I've played with the permissions but even this doesn't
| make it possible for me to delete or view it.
|
| Interestingly enough, I was able to change the name of the top level
| folder with no problem. I'm also able to copy the full file during my
| back up - when viewing the backup I can see that it's just a garbage
| file.
|
| How do I get rid of it?
|
| Thanks, Bill

 

[Eddie]

Hi Bill,

I am having the same problem in the piece of shit O/S called XP-Media
edition.

I now have 5 files that are locked down and unable to rename, use, or
access. I also tried safe mode and no dice. They can't be touched.

My files are critical and not garbage so I need to access them. I also
have others that are garbage and I can't delete them. Windows explorer
seems to choke on deleting multiple files as well.

The same problems are appearing on 2 different new laptops, and HP and
a Dell....

I would appreciate any info you find on the problem... my direct is
(e-mail address removed)

Thanks,
Eddie

_______________________________________________

 

[MrBill]

Unlocker told me that there is no locking handle. So I told it to
delete the folder, whereas it told me it would do so upon a reboot.
After the reboot I still get the error:

(5) Access is denied.

when trying to do anything to the folder. What a PITA! Does anyone
have any other ideas?

Thanks, Bill

 

[Eddie]

I solved my problem of alleged "protected" files/folders which I was
not able to delete, access, or rename. I am using Win-XP SP2 Media
Edition (which sucks)

Don't waste any time on MoveOnBoot. It doesn't work and it was written
by a group of very, very drunk, deaf and blind German speaking Monkeys
!!!

The reason my files appeared inaccessable and protected was because
they had no ownership account tied to them. Windows sneezed and forgot
who owned them. Not even the system account owned them.

I simply added my XP-Login account with FULL CONTROL on the Security
Tab of Win-XP. I may have been drunk or blind myself in not seeing this
as the problem in the first place!!! I have rewarded myself with muchos
more wine though.

If the SECURITY Tab is not visible when you Right-Click and go to
properties then do the following:

Open Windows Explorer
Open a cold brewskie of your choosing
Click TOOLS on the top of the viewpane then click FOLDER OPTIONS
Click VIEW on the Folder Options Window
In the advanced Settings Scroll down to the botton and UNCHECK the last
item:
"Use simple file sharing (Recommended)"
Make sure there is NO CHECK in the above setting
Click OK

Then navigate to your file or folder in question and RIGHT Click on the
file name and go to properties and then the SECURITY TAB.

Add your account and/the administrator if appropriate, and OK it.

You should be able to rename/access/delete the file.

If successful then begin the brewskie transfer program via your mouth
and hand!!!

Hope this helps.
Eddie [at] SPUBOL [dot] COM

 

[MrBill]

My garbage files are all gone, thanks for the help Eddie!

- Bill

I solved my problem of alleged "protected" files/folders which I was
not able to delete, access, or rename. I am using Win-XP SP2 Media
Edition (which sucks)

Don't waste any time on MoveOnBoot. It doesn't work and it was written
by a group of very, very drunk, deaf and blind German speaking Monkeys
!!!

The reason my files appeared inaccessable and protected was because
they had no ownership account tied to them. Windows sneezed and forgot
who owned them. Not even the system account owned them.

I simply added my XP-Login account with FULL CONTROL on the Security
Tab of Win-XP. I may have been drunk or blind myself in not seeing this
as the problem in the first place!!! I have rewarded myself with muchos
more wine though.

If the SECURITY Tab is not visible when you Right-Click and go to
properties then do the following:

Open Windows Explorer
Open a cold brewskie of your choosing
Click TOOLS on the top of the viewpane then click FOLDER OPTIONS
Click VIEW on the Folder Options Window
In the advanced Settings Scroll down to the botton and UNCHECK the last
item:
"Use simple file sharing (Recommended)"
Make sure there is NO CHECK in the above setting
Click OK

Then navigate to your file or folder in question and RIGHT Click on the
file name and go to properties and then the SECURITY TAB.

Add your account and/the administrator if appropriate, and OK it.

You should be able to rename/access/delete the file.

If successful then begin the brewskie transfer program via your mouth
and hand!!!

Hope this helps.
Eddie [at] SPUBOL [dot] COM

I have a file which folder which the system will not let me delete.
What's worse if that I can't even view the contents using Internet
Explorer. I've gone into Safe Mode but still cannot get at the file.
So in Safe Mode I've played with the permissions but even this doesn't
make it possible for me to delete or view it.

Interestingly enough, I was able to change the name of the top level
folder with no problem. I'm also able to copy the full file during my
back up - when viewing the backup I can see that it's just a garbage
file.

How do I get rid of it?

Thanks, Bill

 

[Eddie]

Don't forget the brewskie !!!!

Happy to have helped.

Eddie

My garbage files are all gone, thanks for the help Eddie!

- Bill

I solved my problem of alleged "protected" files/folders which I was
not able to delete, access, or rename. I am using Win-XP SP2 Media
Edition (which sucks)

Don't waste any time on MoveOnBoot. It doesn't work and it was written
by a group of very, very drunk, deaf and blind German speaking Monkeys
!!!

The reason my files appeared inaccessable and protected was because
they had no ownership account tied to them. Windows sneezed and forgot
who owned them. Not even the system account owned them.

I simply added my XP-Login account with FULL CONTROL on the Security
Tab of Win-XP. I may have been drunk or blind myself in not seeing this
as the problem in the first place!!! I have rewarded myself with muchos
more wine though.

If the SECURITY Tab is not visible when you Right-Click and go to
properties then do the following:

Open Windows Explorer
Open a cold brewskie of your choosing
Click TOOLS on the top of the viewpane then click FOLDER OPTIONS
Click VIEW on the Folder Options Window
In the advanced Settings Scroll down to the botton and UNCHECK the last
item:
"Use simple file sharing (Recommended)"
Make sure there is NO CHECK in the above setting
Click OK

Then navigate to your file or folder in question and RIGHT Click on the
file name and go to properties and then the SECURITY TAB.

Add your account and/the administrator if appropriate, and OK it.

You should be able to rename/access/delete the file.

If successful then begin the brewskie transfer program via your mouth
and hand!!!

Hope this helps.
Eddie [at] SPUBOL [dot] COM

I have a file which folder which the system will not let me delete.
What's worse if that I can't even view the contents using Internet
Explorer. I've gone into Safe Mode but still cannot get at the file.
So in Safe Mode I've played with the permissions but even this doesn't
make it possible for me to delete or view it.

Interestingly enough, I was able to change the name of the top level
folder with no problem. I'm also able to copy the full file during my
back up - when viewing the backup I can see that it's just a garbage
file.

How do I get rid of it?

Thanks, Bill

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

Unlocker told me that there is no locking handle.

That means it's not locked because it is in use.

Chances are it's an illegal file name?

Or it could be NTFS permissions issue?

------------ ----- --- -- - - - -

Drugs are usually safe. Inject? (Y/n)

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

I am having the same problem in the piece of shit O/S called XP-Media
edition.

I now have 5 files that are locked down and unable to rename, use, or
access. I also tried safe mode and no dice. They can't be touched.

Try from Bart CDR boot - at least that way, they won't be "in use".

If they are incoming material from the Internet, then they may contain
invalid characters so that the OS can't "grip" them. In that case,
you can sometimes rename them via wildcard, then manage. There are
3rd-party tools to address these kind of problems, and you may find
these best via MP3 user forums - that's a common situation where one
encounters issues when dealing with file names.

Some situations can generate illegal filenemes, too - such as
extracting Long File Names using a non-LFN-aware extractor, such as
PKUnZip for DOS. These tools can spawn raw 8.3 names that contain
spaces, lower-case letters or other characters that would be fine in
an LFN, but are illegal when found within the raw 8.3 name.

------------ ----- --- -- - - - -

Drugs are usually safe. Inject? (Y/n)