In a Windows 7 or later based computer, you might get the error message “You require permission from the administrator to make changes to this folder” when you try to make changes to a folder, like deleting it or renaming it. It can be frustrating to see this message and not know what to do especially, if you are the administrator yourself. However, no need to worry. There is a bunch of ways to fix this issue. Some are quite easy, some require third party software, and some more complex than others, but hey- if you want to make this work, we might just have to try everything.
If you are trying to delete an application by deleting any folders containing its contents, this might also be one of the reasons why you cannot do so. If an application is working in the background or any of its data is being used, it is possible that your computer might show you an error message.
- The better way to do it is by going to the
- Control Panel
- Programs
- Uninstall A Program and then uninstalling whatever applications you are trying to get rid of.
This should delete all of its contents easily.
Methods to Fix The Problem
Method 1: Changing Ownership
Firstly, are you sure you want to make changes to this specific folder? If the folder contains any applications or is an integral part of your computer system, making changes to it might not be an option for an important reason. If, however, you know what you are doing and would like the access to do so, you must need to go to its properties and manage the right permissions.
- You would need to go to the folder and right click it.
- Click on ‘Properties’ > ‘Advanced’. In the ‘ADVANCED’ category, you will see the name of the ‘owner’ and right next to the name would be the option of ‘Change’.
- Once you click on ‘change’, a window will open where you would need to then enter the name of your account. Once you are done, click ‘OK’.
- Check the ‘Replace owner on sub containers and objects’ box as well. You should be able to have access to make any changes to your folder.
Method 2: Restarting in Safe Mode
Restarting in Windows Safe Mode is another way. If your computer keeps showing the message “you require permission from the administrator to make changes to this folder”, it might be running in safe mode.
- Press your Windows key + R key simultaneously to open the ‘Run’ command box.
- Once you have done that, you should be able to type in the run command box.
- Type ‘mconfig’ and press enter so it opens system configuration utility.
- At the Boot tab, you should be able to see the Safe Boot option. Check the box and hit OK.
- You should be able to restart your computer in the next window. Once you have booted your computer in Safe Mode, try to make changes to the folder once again.
- Once you are done, uncheck the Safe Mode and restart your computer once again.
Method 3: Disabling the UAC Feature
Try disabling the UAC feature.
- In the taskbar, click on the search button and type Group Policy editor.
- Once you open it, you should see the Computer Configurations options of the left panel, click on the Windows settings > Security Settings > Local Policies.
- Then double-click on Security Options.
- On the right panel, click on the User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode.
- Once you Disable it, Restart your PC.
- With this feature disabled, it should work.
Method 4: Command Prompt
Using the command prompt is another solution to your problem if you are trying to delete a specific folder. In the taskbar, click on the search button and type out Command Prompt. Once you find it, click on ‘Run as administrator’ and type the following command one by one:
- First take the ownership permissions for the folder you want to delete by typing out: takeown /F “Full_Path_Folder_Name” /r /d y
- Then using the command: icacls “Full_Path_Folder_Name”/grant Administrators:F / – you will take full control permissions for the folder. Once that is done type out the following:
rd “Full_Path_Folder_Name” /S /Q
- This should delete the folder. Remember to replace the Full Path Folder Name text with the name of the folder you are deleting.
Method 5: Use an Application
If none of the above work, you could try using the free application that is ‘Unlocker’. It is an application that easily tells you which processes are in progress that might be currently holding locks on the folder. It helps you figure that out in order to be able to make changes once you have stopped the processes. The application is safe and easy to use.
- Once you have installed it, you can go to the folder in Explorer and once you right-click on the folder, you should be able to see the option to choose ‘Unlocker’.
- Once Unlocker starts to work, you will get a popup window showing any locks or processes, or programs that have a lock on the folder.
- If you have a couple of processes working on the folder, you will have a bunch of options to choose from at the bottom of the window. You can either kill the process, unlock one, or unlock all.
- Unlock one is useful if you want to select one particular item to unlock it, the option to Unlock All releases all the locks simultaneously. This is very useful and easy.
Method 6: Use a Boot Disk
Your last option includes getting a Boot Disk. You can easily make changes using a bootable CD or USB drive that would allow you to make changes to files and folders regardless of any lack of permissions. This overrides all processes and helps you make changes including deleting files, repairing, renaming, or anything else that you might need to do.
This is ofcourse far more complicated and requires more effort, but this will get the job done when nothing else works.
Conclusion: Hopefully one of these solutions might have worked for you in order to make changes to your files/folders. It can be frustrating at times to not know what to do but one of these solutions will definitely work for you. If all else fails, you can take your computer to a repair man and get it fixed.
