Permissions and Deleting Files

[JohtoHawk]

Hello,

I've been having problems deleting files abd folders in my C: drive.

I've been trying to delete some game files that I think are causing my game some problems, but I'm being told that I don't have permission to delete the files. These files are located in the C: drive, a few branches up from the Program Files folder.

I am the only user on the system, and when I check the user accounts, it says that I am the administrator.

When I right click on the file, I go to Properties->Security->Edit-> click a group or user name -> try to tick the 'Full Control' box. After I do that, there are an almost endless stream of error messages that seem to say:

"Failed to enumerate objects in the container. Access is denied."

Then I go to the C: drive overall, and again right click it to get to the above.

I see a few screens like this:

I'm just not sure what's going on, or why I'm not allowed to access my own files. Is there something I'm missing?

[Dragon-Fur]

@JohtoHawk

It looks like you are trying to change permissions on folders / files that you do-not and can-not own or control.

If that is the case, at least some of the following may apply:

Windows has increasingly protected the Operating System from illegal access by the OP (user) or anyone else with an eye to getting into things.  This "protective attitude" includes permissions related to folders that Windows (thinks it) owns and controls.  Protection also extends to any files located in "protected areas" of the computer.

When you install software, you invoke the command to install the program(s).  For those programs that (will) reside in C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (86x) , the system takes over the installation.  The system (Windows) owns and creates the installation process.  Windows also owns and controls the subsequent folder hierarchy.

In some cases you can still "take ownership" of at least some of the folders/files in "protected" areas -- with the caveat that if you do so and something "goes wrong", you may break Windows.  

If you "break Windows", things stop working:  Windows may not work as expected, the system may balk when trying to do routine tasks, the system may not boot...  Windows 10 is smart enough to just flat-out refuse to do certain things.  (Malware and virus infections do break into Windows on occasion -- the refusal to allow harm is as strong as Microsoft can make it for consumer use.)

What can you control and delete?

You have ownership and control over folders in your own account -- at least to the extent where these folders and files do not reside in a system protected path.  What?  Some of your own folders and files are located in places where you do not actually have full control -- that is, the system still maintains control over the content.  For example, some sub-folders in your AppData folder fall into this category.

What do you own and control?

If, for example, a game creates a folder in your account (Users\Account-Name\my-game-folder), you can likely remove that folder and/or its contents.  (Check file / folder for details).

You (likely) own small applications that you download and install as long as those programs install AND reside in your own account.

Example of a program that resides within the owner's control and folder:

Search My Files by Nirsoft

In this case, the executable is the program - click it and it runs.

Other examples include those programs that "unzip" and install right in your documents folder.

Protected Hierarchy:  C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (86x) 

Who owns the program data?

Regardless of whether you installed the original software, folders, and files for that software that are part of the Program Files hierarchy cannot (usually) be controlled by other than the installing system (Windows).

If you want to remove a game folder (and content) in C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (86x) that is owned / controlled by the system, you need to remove the game software.

If you want to delete the game software, do so using the "uninstall" program meant to remove the software from the system.

Uninstall software is found, depending on the software, as a part of programs that show up in Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features and/or Settings > Apps > Apps and Features.

Example:

• Uninstall existing Software by preferred method:
  1. Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features > Right-Click on program > Uninstall
  2. Settings > Apps > Apps and Features > Left-Click on Application > Select Uninstall

In some cases, you can use an "Uninstall.exe" file found in C:\Program Files > name-of-program

Whether this is available (and/or works) depends on the software.

For programs that won't budge (that is, will not delete), use an "Uninstaller" program.

Example:

If software will not uninstall, appears to be removed and then shows up again, or is otherwise not “going away” when you tell it to do so, try an Uninstaller program.

Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed (recommended)

Revo Uninstaller (Free version)

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[JohtoHawk]

Thanks for your reply.

Is there no way I can change the settings so that I can give myself permission to delete files in those 'restricted' filepaths?

Windows 8 (and older) used to give pretty good access to these kinds of files. I understand why Windows 10 would want to keep people out - one wrong 'delete' and you could potentially ruin your PC.

Uninstalling my game doesn't seem to delete some of the local files. I was intending on doing a full clean reinstall of the game to see if that would work, but I'm unable to do that without being able to completely eradicate the files left over from the last install.

It seems to me that being unable to delete the files in that part of the system would be detrimental as you would surely just begin to accrue these leftover files from many different installations and uninstallations of programs over the years. They'd surely start to take up hard drive space that you just wouldn't be able to delete.

[Dragon-Fur]

@JohtoHawk

Unless there is something (already) wrong with the File System structure in C:\Program Files, I would think that the suggested Uninstaller programs would remove the software.

Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed (Microsoft)

Revo Uninstaller (Free version) (I don't use this - people report that it works.)

If the "other" data is within the Windows File System (under Windows OS control):

There are indeed ways to force yourself into the system into places you do not belong.  I am not the right person to give you this type of advice.

In general, if the data is something over which you need ownership and control:

You may need only to "own" the data to remove it.  The methods to "take ownership" are available in multitude on the Internet. 

Two Examples:

Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 10

How to take ownership and get full access to files and folders in Windows 10

I suggest you have your computer completely backed up before you proceed.

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