Folder access denied

enkoda · 29 Apr 2020 at 16:00

I've put a fresh install of Windows 10 Pro on a new boot drive and have transferred over all the documents, etc, that I need from the old one.

However, when I try and delete the old folders from the old boot drive I get "folder access denied".

I've followed numerous guides on going into folder properties -> security -> advanced and changing the owner to one with full control permissions (including "everyone") yet I keep getting "you need permission from <xyz> to make changes".

How can I force these folders to give me permission and then delete them?

P.S. I know I can just format the drive but I don't want to give up without a fight!

PapaLazaru · 29 Apr 2020 at 16:42

I've had this before, used this which you can just remove afterwards - https://www.iobit.com/en/iobit-unlocker.php

Mcnumpty2323 · 29 Apr 2020 at 16:49

There's also the take ownership right click option you can download
Or if it's the Windows old folder
Disk cleanup removes that

enkoda · 29 Apr 2020 at 17:46

Mcnumpty2323 said:
There's also the take ownership right click option you can download
Or if it's the Windows old folder
Disk cleanup removes that

Cleanup reports there are 0 bytes to delete on the old drive, regardless of options ticked, but thanks anyway.

PapaLazaru said:
I've had this before, used this which you can just remove afterwards - https://www.iobit.com/en/iobit-unlocker.php

Ah-ha, I'm having some success with this - it won't delete a non-empty folder until I've manually emptied it but at least it works, cheers!