Can't delete folder from ExHD-help please.

flycaster · 09-09-2009, 04:23 PM

Sorry for double posting...tried to delete this but couldn't.

Until Vista and its permissions came along, I used to be able to navigate fairly well within my computer. But now I feel like a beginner whenever I get stopped by the dreaded (at least to me) "You need permission to perform this task."

I have an external drive (holds about 100GB) that I have been using to back up files and stuff. However, I want to delete many folders from the EHD and better streamline my backups, and when I try to do so, I get the dreaded... I mean, like I have Adobe on the EHD, why can't I simply delete it. As far as I can tell I am the administrator, so shouldn't I be able to delete stuff from the EHD without all this hassle?

For example, here's what I tried to no avail: I selected Adobe on my EHD, right clicked it and selected Properties>Security. There I see that, among other things, I have "Full Control"...So why can't I now delete this folder. Reading through the inherited stuff (some stuff I want to delete came from XP and I have Vista HP)and permissions is the ultimate confusion exercise. I do want to try to maintain security on the computer (although I and my wife are its only users), so I'm reluctant to undo UAC-which I think will get rid of all these permission walls??? Can anyone please help me before I have the next drink? Thanks.

BTW I naively thought that if I turned UAC off, then permissions would go away...but Noooo.

**jenae** · 09-09-2009, 08:07 PM

Hi, the dreaded what??? Please we need to know the message you receive, this reg entry gives you read write access to any external drive. Copy and paste into notepad then save as ext.reg save to desktop double click to merge into registry .Reboot to take effect (will do no harm)

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\RemovableStorageDevices]
"Deny_All"=-

flycaster · 09-10-2009, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenae

Hi, the dreaded what??? Please we need to know the message you receive, this reg entry gives you read write access to any external drive. Copy and paste into notepad then save as ext.reg save to desktop double click to merge into registry .Reboot to take effect (will do no harm)

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\RemovableStorageDevices]
"Deny_All"=-

The message I get is: "You need permission to perform this task."

Don't really want to fool with the registry, just want to know how to gain permission to delete a folder from my external hard drive. I thought that I had given enough info in my post.

tdk1988 · 09-10-2009, 08:27 AM

Check the file properties >> security >> click advanced button
now you shud know what to do depending upon the user acounts on your system

flycaster · 09-14-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdk1988

Check the file properties >> security >> click advanced button
now you shud know what to do depending upon the user acounts on your system

That's my problem, I don't know what to do once I enter security>advanced. As much as I ahve read about this, I jsut don't get it and need some help going through the proper changes. And, BTW, I turned off AUC, but still couldn't get permission to delete a folder from my ExHH.

**jcgriff2** · 09-14-2009, 07:56 AM

Hi -

Activate the Vista hidden admin account - it has permissions that you don't -

START | type cmd.exe into the start search box | right-click on cmd.exe above under programs - select run as admin. Then type

Code:


net user administrator /active:yes

Logoff your account and the user account named Administrator will be waiting for you at the logon screen.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

.

flycaster · 09-15-2009, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcgriff2

Hi -

Activate the Vista hidden admin account - it has permissions that you don't -

START | type cmd.exe into the start search box | right-click on cmd.exe above under programs - select run as admin. Then type

Code:


net user administrator /active:yes

Logoff your account and the user account named Administrator will be waiting for you at the logon screen.

Regards. . .

Thanks, but before I try this, a couple of questions: Will this change make my computer an easier virus/trojan/hacking target? Does this change now allow me to have full control, ie, I'll be able to delete or change what I want without permissions, etc?
jcgriff2

.

flycaster · 09-15-2009, 11:23 AM

Somehow this reply got mistakenly entrapped into the quote, so I'm reposting for clarity.

Thanks, but before I try this, a couple of questions: Will this change make my computer an easier virus/trojan/hacking target? Does this change now allow me to have full control, ie, I'll be able to delete or change what I want without permissions, etc?

Also, I installed a registry change that put "Take Ownership" onto the right click content menu (http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windo...menu-in-vista/). On another fourm I was told that taking ownership would allow me to delete the stuborn folders. It did work for most of them, but then there were couple of folders/files that brought up an alert that "Window's operating system was not working..." and Windows would try to come up with a solution. The file/folders were not deleted in this case. Any ideas as to why this was happening, or what it meant? http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windo...menu-in-vista/

09-09-2009, 04:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
flycaster Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boynton Beach. FL Posts: 76 OS: Vista 64-bit	Can't delete folder from ExHD-help please. Sorry for double posting...tried to delete this but couldn't. Until Vista and its permissions came along, I used to be able to navigate fairly well within my computer. But now I feel like a beginner whenever I get stopped by the dreaded (at least to me) "You need permission to perform this task." I have an external drive (holds about 100GB) that I have been using to back up files and stuff. However, I want to delete many folders from the EHD and better streamline my backups, and when I try to do so, I get the dreaded... I mean, like I have Adobe on the EHD, why can't I simply delete it. As far as I can tell I am the administrator, so shouldn't I be able to delete stuff from the EHD without all this hassle? For example, here's what I tried to no avail: I selected Adobe on my EHD, right clicked it and selected Properties>Security. There I see that, among other things, I have "Full Control"...So why can't I now delete this folder. Reading through the inherited stuff (some stuff I want to delete came from XP and I have Vista HP)and permissions is the ultimate confusion exercise. I do want to try to maintain security on the computer (although I and my wife are its only users), so I'm reluctant to undo UAC-which I think will get rid of all these permission walls??? Can anyone please help me before I have the next drink? Thanks. BTW I naively thought that if I turned UAC off, then permissions would go away...but Noooo. Last edited by flycaster; 09-09-2009 at 04:26 PM.

09-09-2009, 08:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
jenae Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,308 OS: XP & Vista	Re: Can't delete folder from ExHD-help please. Hi, the dreaded what??? Please we need to know the message you receive, this reg entry gives you read write access to any external drive. Copy and paste into notepad then save as ext.reg save to desktop double click to merge into registry .Reboot to take effect (will do no harm) Code: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\RemovableStorageDevices] "Deny_All"=- __________________

09-10-2009, 08:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
tdk1988 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 44 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate	Re: Can't delete folder from ExHD-help please. Check the file properties >> security >> click advanced button now you shud know what to do depending upon the user acounts on your system

09-14-2009, 07:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Supp Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Great State of New Jersey - away from the gross corruption of the Riverside County, CA, SO office. SHAMEFUL ! Posts: 10,113 OS: Windows 7, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Can't delete folder from ExHD-help please. Hi - Activate the Vista hidden admin account - it has permissions that you don't - START \| type cmd.exe into the start search box \| right-click on cmd.exe above under programs - select run as admin. Then type Code: net user administrator /active:yes Logoff your account and the user account named Administrator will be waiting for you at the logon screen. Regards. . . jcgriff2 . __________________ . . . . . . . . BSOD Posting Instructions B Expecting a reply and waiting > 36 hours ? Send a PM to me containing a link to your thread Glad to be home in the Great State of New Jersey ! !

09-15-2009, 11:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
flycaster Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boynton Beach. FL Posts: 76 OS: Vista 64-bit	Re: Can't delete folder from ExHD-help please. Somehow this reply got mistakenly entrapped into the quote, so I'm reposting for clarity. Thanks, but before I try this, a couple of questions: Will this change make my computer an easier virus/trojan/hacking target? Does this change now allow me to have full control, ie, I'll be able to delete or change what I want without permissions, etc? Also, I installed a registry change that put "Take Ownership" onto the right click content menu (http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windo...menu-in-vista/). On another fourm I was told that taking ownership would allow me to delete the stuborn folders. It did work for most of them, but then there were couple of folders/files that brought up an alert that "Window's operating system was not working..." and Windows would try to come up with a solution. The file/folders were not deleted in this case. Any ideas as to why this was happening, or what it meant? http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windo...menu-in-vista/ Last edited by flycaster; 09-15-2009 at 11:41 AM.