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Question
Friday, June 15, 2018 3:35 PM
I have an External Hard Drive which previously has been used to backup an old computer. Now, I want to use the EHD to store pictures and videos instead, therefore I've been trying to delete all files related to the backup. A lot has been removed, but there are two stubborn files that wont go away. I did some research, finding that I probably need to be the owner of the item to be able to remove it. I have tried to take ownership of the folders, both using a guide on "How to add 'take ownership' to the Right-Click menu in Windows Explorer" on HowToGeek, as well as the "traditional" way of doing it (opening the item's properties). However, this didn't do any difference and it still tells me that I need permission to be able to delete. What do I do?
NOTE: Apologies if there's any trouble with my spelling and explanation, English is not my first language.
All replies (6)
Monday, June 18, 2018 5:06 AM ✅Answered
Hi,
Based on your description, I found an article may help you, please refer to the link:
Fix “Cannot Delete Folder. You Need Permission To Perform This Action”
https://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/fix-delete-folder-need-permission-perform-action/
Please Note: The third-party product discussed here is manufactured by a company that is independent of Microsoft. We make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability. Since the websites are not hosted by Microsoft, the links may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.
Best Regards,
Tao
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Monday, June 25, 2018 8:40 PM ✅Answered
plug in drive -> right click drive -> format
Friday, June 15, 2018 5:37 PM
It's a two-step process. You take ownership to gain the ability to edit permissions, then you have to edit/create the permissions for the Administrators group or your user to allow 'Full Control'
Keith
Keith
Monday, June 25, 2018 6:01 PM
Hello!
I've tried a few of the ways shown in the referred website. It did work on one of the files, but one is stubborn and doesn't want to co-operate...
I should probably also say that I tried to remove all of the subfolders first, back when I didn't know that I would run into this problem and thought that deleting these folders would be like any common folder. I've narrowed it down to one main folder with one subfolder. It looks as if the subfolder is empty. However, when I'm trying to delete the main folder now and the system counts the number of objects to be removed, it goes all the way up to 13 000-something. Does this mean that there are still a bunch of files on there, that aren't visible to me? I'm starting to believe so, since when trying to change the permissions of the main folder, the error message tells me something like "permissions can not be applied to F:/_________. Objects in container could not be counted".
Is there something I can do about this? Have I ruined the EHD?
Monday, June 25, 2018 6:21 PM
or; you can just copy off anything important from the external to your pc. then format the external.
Monday, June 25, 2018 7:31 PM
Yes, I've been thinking of that too. I think I might do that, it seems like the easiest way at this point. Then one question is remaining: how do I format the EHD?