I cannot delete or move files in Windows 10

What is the full path to the folder where these files reside?

What types of files are they? .docx? .txt? .exe? other?

What message do you get when you try to delete them?

Did you try to delete them while in Safe Mode?

Hi Dave

I'm in My Documents when this happens.  The error message I get when trying to delete or move a file is: "You'll need to provide administrator permission to delete this file" and "you'll need to provide administrator permission to move this file".  Sorry - I can't provide you with screen shots - that's something else I can't do!!

Richard

Hi Frederik

The path is C://users/richa/OneDrive/Documents/Open University.  They are all .doc type files.  But I also have the same problem with video files (3gp and Mp4 files) which produces the same error messages.

See my reply above for the error messages.  I have not been using Safe Mode.  Should I do this?  If so, how do I get in to Safe Mode?

Many thanks.

Richard

Hi Dave

Thank you.

When I go into Virus and threat protection there is no settings option, just AVG antivirus link.  So there's no Ransomware Protection or controlled folder access.

I can see Ransomware Protection in AVG settings but there is no controlled folder access, just the option to uninstall Ransomware Protection.  Hope that makes sense!

Richard

Hi Frederik

The path is C://users/richa/OneDrive/Documents/Open University.  They are all .doc type files.  But I also have the same problem with video files (3gp and Mp4 files) which produces the same error messages.

See my reply above for the error messages.  I have not been using Safe Mode.  Should I do this?  If so, how do I get in to Safe Mode?

Many thanks.

Hi Richard,

File access denial can be caused by a number of things:

• Locked files. This is unlikely in your case because many files are affected.
• Insufficient access rights - see below.
• Malware. I have no experience with this.

Does your account have admin privileges?

You may need to seize ownership of the problem folders then give yourself full access rights - see here:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753659.aspx
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727008.aspx

Hi Frederik

Thank you for your help. 

I have clicked on Properties etc but have found no Owner tab.  I have also tried entering another Microsoft login but I get a message saying that it can't be found.

The second link you provided (File and Folder Permissions) has helped me to see that I am listed under Permissions with Full Control.  Unfortunately I still can't delete or move any files.  So I'm still stuck.  Really frustrating!

Richard

So I'm still stuck.

No, you're not! Let'**** it with administrators' tools like so:

1. Log on under an admin account.
2. Create a desktop shortcut for cmd.exe.
3. Right-click it, then left-click Run as administrator.
4. Accept the challenge. You will get a black screen.
5. Type these commands exactly and press Enter after each:
   cd  "C:\users\richa\OneDrive\Documents"
   takeown  /f  "Open University"  /R
   cacls  "Open University"  /T  /C  /G  everyone:F
6. Delete your file(s) through File Explorer, as usual

If still unsuccessful, repeat the above steps while in Safe Mode. Press Shift+Restart to launch Safe Mode.

Hi Frederik

Thank you for this.  How do I log in under an admin account?

How do I create a desktop shortcut for cmd.exe.

Since your instructions relate to my Open University folder, will I have to carry them out for every folder and every file not in a folder or does doing this once provide me with access to all my files and folders?

Sorry for these questions - I'm no IT expert!!

Richard