Fixed “You need administrator permission to delete this folder” error

  • Every time you create a new file or folder, Windows assigns it a set of default permissions.
  • These permissions are called valid permissions.
  • If the user does not have the necessary permissions, the Windows operating system displays this error.

 

Unlock the secrets of folder deletion as we unveil an essential truth: obtaining admin permission is the indispensable key.

Taking Ownership of the File or Folder for Deletion

  • Understand the necessity of admin permission: Admin permission is required to delete certain files or folders in order to prevent unauthorized access or accidental deletion.
  • Ensure you have the appropriate privileges: Verify that you have administrative rights or contact your system administrator to grant you the necessary permissions.
  • Locate the file or folder: Identify the specific file or folder you wish to delete.
  • Right-click on the file or folder: Open the context menu by right-clicking on the selected file or folder.
    Locate the file or folder: Identify the specific file or folder you wish to delete.
Right-click on the file or folder: Open the context menu by right-clicking on the selected file or folder.
  • Select “Properties” from the menu:
  • In the “Properties” window, navigate to the “Security” tab:
  • Click on “Advanced” to access advanced security settings: This will allow you to modify ownership permissions.
  • Click on “Change” next to the “Owner” field:
    Click on "Advanced" to access advanced security settings: This will allow you to modify ownership permissions.
Click on "Change" next to the "Owner" field:
  • Enter your admin username: Type in the username associated with your administrative account.
  • Click “Check Names” to verify the username:
    Enter your admin username: Type in the username associated with your administrative account.
Click "Check Names" to verify the username:
  • Click “OK” to assign ownership:
  • Confirm the changes: Close all windows by clicking “OK” to save the changes made.
  • Delete the file or folder: You should now be able to delete the file or folder without receiving the admin permission prompt.

Disabling User Account Control for Deleting Files/Folders

  1. Open the Control Panel by clicking on the Start button and selecting Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel, click on User Accounts.
    Open the Control Panel by clicking on the Start button and selecting Control Panel.
In the Control Panel, click on User Accounts.
  3. Click on Change User Account Control settings.
  4. Drag the slider to the Never notify position and click OK.
  5. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Method 2: Disabling User Account Control through Registry Editor

  1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing Win+R and typing regedit in the Run dialog box.
  2. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System.
  3. Double-click on the EnableLUA value on the right-hand side.
  4. Change the value data from 1 to 0 and click OK.
    Double-click on the EnableLUA value on the right-hand side.
Change the value data from 1 to 0 and click OK.
  5. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Method 3: Disabling User Account Control through Command Prompt

  1. Open Command Prompt by pressing Win+X and selecting Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Type the command net user administrator /active:yes and press Enter.
    Open Command Prompt by pressing Win+X and selecting Command Prompt (Admin).
Type the command net user administrator /active:yes and press Enter.
  3. Restart your computer and log in to the newly activated Administrator account.
  4. Open Control Panel and navigate to User Accounts.
  5. Click on Change User Account Control settings.
  6. Drag the slider to the Never notify position and click OK.
    Click on Change User Account Control settings.
Drag the slider to the Never notify position and click OK.
  7. Restart your computer and log in to your original account.

Activating the Built-In Administrator Account to Delete Files/Folders

  1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start menu.
  2. Type “cmd” into the search bar.
    Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start menu.
Type "cmd" into the search bar.
  3. Right-click on the “Command Prompt” option and select “Run as administrator“.
  4. In the Command Prompt window, type “net user administrator /active:yes” and press Enter.
  5. Close the Command Prompt window.
  6. Press the Windows key and click on your user profile picture in the top-right corner of the Start menu.
  7. Select the “Administrator” account to log in.
  8. Navigate to the folder or file you want to delete.
    Select the "Administrator" account to log in.
Navigate to the folder or file you want to delete.
  9. Right-click on the folder or file and select “Delete“.
  10. Confirm the deletion by clicking “Yes” if prompted.
    Right-click on the folder or file and select "Delete".
Confirm the deletion by clicking "Yes" if prompted.
  11. Once the deletion is complete, press the Windows key and click on your user profile picture again.
  12. Select your regular user account to switch back.
  13. To deactivate the Built-In Administrator account, open the Command Prompt as administrator again (refer to steps 1-3).
  14. In the Command Prompt window, type “net user administrator /active:no” and press Enter.
    To deactivate the Built-In Administrator account, open the Command Prompt as administrator again (refer to steps 1-3).
In the Command Prompt window, type "net user administrator /active:no" and press Enter.
  15. Close the Command Prompt window.

Utilizing SFC to Resolve Administrator Permission Error

If you encounter an administrator permission error while attempting to delete a folder, you can utilize the System File Checker (SFC) tool to fix the issue.

To start, open the command prompt as an administrator. You can do this by right-clicking the Start button, and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)”.

Once the command prompt is open, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. This will initiate the scanning process, which may take some time.

After the scan is complete, restart your PC and try deleting the folder again. This process should resolve the administrator permission error and allow you to delete the folder without any issues.

If you continue to face difficulties, you may need to take ownership of the folder. You can do this by following these steps:

1. Right-click on the folder and select “Properties”.
2. Go to the “Security” tab and click on the “Advanced” button.
3. In the “Advanced Security Settings” window, click on the “Change” link next to the owner’s name.
4. Type “Administrators” in the “Enter the object name to select” field and click “Check Names”. If the name is recognized, click “OK”.
5. Check the box that says “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” and click “Apply” and then “OK”.

Once you have taken ownership of the folder, you should be able to delete it without encountering any permission errors.

Deleting Files/Folders in Safe Mode

To delete files or folders in Safe Mode on Windows 10, you may encounter the “You Need Admin Permission to Delete Folder” error. Follow these steps to resolve the issue:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “cmd” and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
3. In the Command Prompt, type “ICACLS %DIRECTORY_NAME% /grant administrators:F” and press Enter. Replace “%DIRECTORY_NAME%” with the path to the folder you want to delete.
4. The Command Prompt will display several lines of output indicating that the permissions have been successfully changed.
5. Close the Command Prompt and navigate to the folder you want to delete.
6. Right-click on the folder, select “Delete,” and confirm the action.
7. You should now be able to delete the folder without encountering the “You Need Admin Permission to Delete Folder” error.

Note: This method works for Windows 10 and Windows 7, and it requires admin rights to make changes to the folder permissions.

Website | + posts

Mark Ginter is a tech blogger with a passion for all things gadgets and gizmos. A self-proclaimed "geek", Mark has been blogging about technology for over 15 years. His blog, techquack.com, covers a wide range of topics including new product releases, industry news, and tips and tricks for getting the most out of your devices. If you're looking for someone who can keep you up-to-date with all the latest tech news and developments, then be sure to follow him over at Microsoft.