2

I have an old Dropbox folder that I don't want to use anymore.

No matter what I try, I keep on receiving "permission denied" while trying to remove it. I could remove its content easily, except a single folder, that used to be shared with another Dropbox user.

I uninstalled Dropbox completely, I rebooted the computer, but this folder still won't go away.

I have all the NTFS permissions on the folder. Even "Everyone" has all the permission on the folder and its subcontent :

enter image description here

The weirdest thing is that when I try to delete the folder the error says that I need a permission from (SomeUser). This is the user I'm logged in with ...

I'm even the owner of the folder

How can I finally get rid of this folder ?

Improve this question
4
  • Did you try to open it with administration rights?
    – MCK
    Commented Apr 2, 2019 at 14:11
  • I am logged in with the administrator account.
    – Arthur Attout
    Commented Apr 2, 2019 at 14:18
  • I know, but sometimes there is the need to still run it with administration rights. It says in English: "Run as administrator" when right clicked. So open Dropbox with administration rights and try again.
    – MCK
    Commented Apr 2, 2019 at 14:19
  • It shouldn't matter, but anyway, I delete my folders with a CMD ran as administrator, so the privileges are there
    – Arthur Attout
    Commented Apr 2, 2019 at 14:25

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
0

Here is the solution that worked for me to delete these files that were previously shared with me, but I reinstalled the OS, and I did not have permission just like you.

These files have to be deleted one by one. Right click on the file > properties > Security > Advanced (bottom right button)

In the new window that pops up if you have a first entry that is:

  • Type: Deny
  • Principal: Everyone
  • Access: Special (this is most important as the Special is given a Deny, at least for me)

Click the Remove button with this row selected

  • Click OK
  • Click OK again
  • Now try to delete it in the File Explorer (worked for me)
Improve this answer
-1

You can install cygwin if not already then navigate to the folder above the one you are trying to delete.

The command rm -rf folder_name will force the removal of the folder.

Improve this answer
3
  • 1
    This still yields a permission denied error.
    – Arthur Attout
    Commented Apr 2, 2019 at 13:49
  • It's too early to suggest these complex things. It can be fixed in a probably much easier way.
    – MCK
    Commented Apr 2, 2019 at 14:22
  • Anyway, Cygwin is still on top of NTFS permissions, so this wouldn't have worked
    – Arthur Attout
    Commented Apr 2, 2019 at 14:28

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .