Cannot delete folder: Access is denied

Posted by mkhairul - May 20, 2008 at 07:05:40 am -

Categories: Tips, Troubleshoot

Ever stumble upon this message while trying to delete a file or a folder?

Cannot delete folder: Access is denied

Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use

Most probably you have, and most probably doesn’t know how to handle this.

There’s a cool program that I use to solve this problem, called Process Explorer

Ever wondered which program has a particular file or directory open? Now you can find out. Process Explorer shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded.

Once the program is downloaded, run it. At the main interface, click on the Find -> Find Handle or DLL.

Find the folder or file name that you can’t delete.

When the process thats folding your folder or file is found, close it!

Now I can delete the folder (or file)! Yeay!

4 Comments »

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1. Usually, I’ll just use Unlocker.

   Comment by noris — May 20, 2008 #

2. That too. Maybe I just like process explorer because it does more than just close processes.

   Comment by mkhairul — May 20, 2008 #

3. TSVNCache always hold on my removeable drive and prevent me to disconnect the drive safely.I have manual undone the process with Unlocker each time to disconnect it.

   Comment by mrhulk — June 4, 2008 #

4. Thanks man ! I had a file I couldn’t delete, this helped me delete it, again thanks.

   Comment by Victor — July 19, 2008 #

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