Here's How to Fix “Can't delete a folder, require Admin Privileges”

At times, you may found yourself unable to delete any specific file or folder from your Windows like Windows 8/7/Vista/XP etc. Instead, you'll keep getting error like 'Access is Denied', 'Can't delete folder, not enough permission', 'Requires admin privileges to delete this folder' or any other file and folder permission errors. Remember, these errors are annoying and will not go away over time or the normal troubleshooting method. Alternatively, these errors will continue to arise even after you're logged in as administrator or have full rights to your system.

This issue may occur at any instance or after reinstalling a fresh copy of Windows. The common causes behind the aforementioned error could be:

1. Third party faulty programs that try to remain control or gain access on any particular files or folders that you would want to delete.
2. System files or any control panel settings accessing information from that particular files or folders.
3. Any running application is using resources from that particular files or folder like settings and options.
4. The file or folder containing targeted files is currently open in any other programs or applications.

Finally, how can I delete such folders or files?

There is an obvious solution to delete almost any type of files or folders that keeps throwing this error.  You will need to take control first on such directory and then tries to remove it. Follow the steps mentioned below to take control on almost any file and then remove it:

1. Open notepad by going to Start > All Programs > Accessories.
2. Press 'CTRL + 'S'' and name it to 'delete.bat'. Preferably, save this file to the desktop location.
3. Type the following entries as it is in the blank text document and press the same button (CTRL + S) to save file again.
   

   “SET DIRECTORY_NAME="C:\Locked files or folders"
   TAKEOWN /f %DIRECTORY_NAME% /r /d y
   ICACLS %DIRECTORY_NAME% /grant administrators:F /t
   PAUSE”

   Note: You'll need to change the bold text as per your current problem directory. For example: “D:\delete files or folders” because you want to delete folder entitled ‘delete files or folders' residing in D:\ drive.
   
4. Right click on the file 'delete.bat' from the desktop and select 'Run as administrator'. You'll now have full control over the problem files and folders and can easily go for deletion. You may also able to delete internal directory residing in such folders.

Alternate Solution

If you are bit experienced in working with Ubuntu Live CD, can use it to boot normally in Ubuntu mode, find, and delete such files or folders from there and choose to delete it. This time, you'll not be thrown with the same error messages as before.

Have you tried these methods and still facing trouble while deleting such files? Or, have an alternate solution to fix this issue, post your thoughts in comment section.