Delete a Folder with Stubborn Permission Issues or with an Inaccessible "System Volume Information" Folder

Stubborn folders that refuse to be deleted? It’s often due to permission issues or hidden system folders. Well, there’s of course otherwise an application which is using the folder, but that’s an easy fix.

Understanding the Challenge:

Permission Issues: Sometimes, folders inherit permissions that prevent you, even as the administrator, from deleting them.
“System Volume Information” Folder: This hidden system folder can contain files or subfolders that are inaccessible through normal means.

Btw, for “System Volume Information” folders, it’s generally recommended to leave them alone as they might contain crucial system files. However, if you’re absolutely certain about deleting the folder or a specific file within this folder, these steps can be cautiously applied.

Use Command Prompt:

Run Command Prompt as Administrator:
- Open the Start menu, search for “Command Prompt,” and right-click on the result. Select “Run as administrator.”
- This grants the command prompt elevated privileges to interact with protected files and folders.
Taking Ownership:
- Navigate to the folder you want to delete using the cd command (e.g., cd D:\FULL_PATH_TO_FOLDER).
- Execute the following command, replacing D:\FULL_PATH_TO_FOLDER with the complete path to your target folder:
```
takeown /F X:\FULL_PATH_TO_FOLDER
```
- This grants you ownership of the folder, allowing you to modify permissions.
Granting Administrator Full Control (Recursive):
- Execute this command, again replacing the path placeholder:
```
icacls X:\FULL_PATH_TO_FOLDER /grant Administrators:F /r /d y
```
- This grants the “Administrators” group full control (F) over the folder and all its subfolders (/r) recursively (/d), prompting you to confirm (/y) any permission changes.
Verifying Permissions (Optional):
- Use the following command to confirm the updated permissions:
```
icacls X:\FULL_PATH_TO_FOLDER
```
- This displays the current ownership and access control list (ACL) for the folder.
Deletion:
- After following these steps, you should be able to delete the folder using the regular “Delete” function in File Explorer.

Note:

Replace X:\FULL_PATH_TO_FOLDER with the actual path to your target folder.
Be cautious when modifying permissions, as unintended changes can affect system stability.